Janneke Staarink is the new general manager at de Doelen

Starting 1 August 2018, Janneke Staarink will be the new general manager of de Doelen in Rotterdam. "We were looking for a powerful and inspirational director. Someone who can ensure that everyone feels at home in de Doelen," says Mariëtte Hamer, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. De Doelen is home to some 1200 national and international events each year. Janneke Staarink has previously fulfilled several management positions. She worked as the business manager and general manager of the Oerol Festival on the island of Terschelling and was the director and a board member of Rotterdam’s International Film Festival since 2010. The Board of Supervisors of de Doelen considers Staarink a binding force with daring, courage and energy; a personality with vision who can build on the future resilience of de Doelen.

The festival heart for IFFR

Staarink, speaking about her new position: "For years, de Doelen has been the festival heart for IFFR. From that role, I know the enormous potential of this beautiful location. In my new role, I look forward to working with the team on the development and positioning of the organisation and on broadening the range of events. Not only does de Doelen play a vital regional role, it is also nationally and internationally important. As far as I'm concerned, we will build further on collaborations with a broad range of partners, conduct innovative policy and deliver substantively strong programming with a focus on the city's cultural diversity."