The Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF) has named Karla Puttemans as its new director, in a move many in the Flemish film industry are hoping will bring closure to a tumultuous 18 months for the public funding body.
Puttemans has been appointed from within VAF, which oversees public funding of film, TV drama, games and podcasts being made by Belgium‘s Flemish-speaking community, where she previously held the position of Head of Production and Talent Development.
She takes replaces Koen Van Bockstal, who announced last November he was stepping down a year early due to health reasons, having originally been appointed for a five-year term in 2021.
Van Bockstal’s final year at VAF were mired in controversy after he fired Christian De Schutter, the long-time head of VAF’s promotional arm Flanders Image, out of the blue.
The sudden dismissal shocked cinema professionals across Europe who had dealt with De Schutter on the festival and market circuit for more than 20 years, with 200 prominent film world figures signing a letter voicing concern at his treatment.
Puttemans acknowledged that she was taking on a difficult job at a complex time for the film and TV sectors in the press release announcing her appointment, but suggested her experience within the fund meant she was well placed to take up the challenge.
“It is a tough job, but I know from the front row what I am getting into,” she said.
Prior to working at VAF, Puttesman headed the Dutch-language department of the authors’ association SACD/SCAM, which later developed into deAuteurs, and the audiovisual service of the authors’ right association SABAM.
She then worked as a policy officer at the European Parliament, where she monitored European audiovisual and cultural policy. She also worked for various advisory bodies, such as the Media Council and the Council for Culture, and helped found of various organisations, such as the screenwriters’ body Scenarioschrijvers.
“Flanders is bursting with audiovisual and gaming talent, and that is recognized at home and abroad,” she said.
“I want to use all my experience and insight to let our makers, producers and public organizations shine. I feel honored to receive the trust of our Board for this and look forward to the dialogue with our Flemish Ministers of Culture and Media.”
