goEast 2025: Interview with Festival Director Heleen Gerritsen

For nearly a decade, Heleen Gerritsen has been at the helm of goEast – Festival of Central and Eastern European Film, guiding it through both challenges and triumphs. As the festival’s director, she has played a key role in transforming goEast into a powerful platform for filmmakers and audiences to connect, engage with thought-provoking themes, and discover diverse voices from Eastern Europe and beyond.

This year holds special significance, marking not only the 25th anniversary of goEast, but also Heleen’s final year as festival director. After almost a decade of dedicated leadership, she will soon transition to a new role as the artistic director of the Stiftung Deutsche Kinemathek in Berlin. As she prepares for this new chapter, Heleen reflects on her time at goEast, offering unique insights into both the festival’s evolution and her personal journey.

Heleen’s leadership has been driven by a clear vision: to create a festival that goes beyond just screenings. Under her guidance, goEast has evolved into a vibrant cultural platform where meaningful discussions on societal issues, personal narratives, and global concerns unfold—always prioritizing depth over spectacle. From providing a stage for emerging filmmakers to fostering a community of industry professionals, Heleen has worked tirelessly to ensure that the festival remains true to its core values.

In this interview, Heleen shares her experiences as the director of goEast, providing valuable professional insights and lessons learned along the way. She discusses everything from navigating the challenges of a global pandemic to the vital role of mentoring emerging filmmakers, offering a rare perspective on the responsibilities of leading a prominent film festival during a time of significant change.

Polina Grechanikova: Heleen, how are you feeling after a few days of the festival? A few days have passed now – how would you describe the atmosphere in Wiesbaden? What is the current spirit of goEast?

Heleen Gerritsen: I’m actually doing very well. We have so many wonderful people here in Wiesbaden, and many guests who have been here before. It’s always great to meet them again and share the festival experience together. The atmosphere is truly vibrant, and I can feel the excitement in the air as we get deeper into the program. What I particularly enjoy is the combination we have here: In the evenings, we have lively celebrations, and during the day, there are serious discussions about important topics that need to be addressed. I really like that balance. It’s truly a festival with substance – no red carpets or anything like that. Here, it’s really about the films, the topics, and the people. And I think that’s fantastic. It’s a unique energy that makes goEast stand out, and I’m happy to see it flourishing every year.

I still clearly remember my internship in 2022, when I first entered the film industry. A special moment that always stuck with me was the “Get Together” at the Museum Courtyard, where we exchanged ideas with participants of the East-West Talent Lab. I truly felt at home – with delicious Eastern European food, beautiful music, and wonderful people. What has been a defining moment for you at goEast, one that still stays with you today?

Heleen Gerritsen: I remember the courtyard – that was during the Corona period. We had set up a small studio at the Museum Wiesbaden, with tables outside, and it became a hub of connection. It was something really special to finally be able to connect with people again after such a long period of isolation. The situation was very challenging for everyone, but the festival gave us a reason to come together, and the relief of being able to communicate face-to-face was palpable. I think without the festival, my personal Corona time would have been even harder, even though we had to do many things online. But the personal exchange, even with all the precautions, was simply irreplaceable. It reminded me how much I value the community aspect of goEast – it’s more than just films; it’s about the people behind them.

The past years have been marked by many crises – from the COVID-19 pandemic to the Russian war in Ukraine. How have you experienced and dealt with this turbulent time, both personally and as the festival director?

Heleen Gerritsen: It helped a lot that we worked as a team and didn’t have to fight alone. We truly supported each other in a way that made the challenges feel more manageable. It was a very intense time. Especially in the first year of the war, 2022, it was extremely emotional: People from Ukraine traveled for 45 hours by bus to be here with us. Their courage, and the raw emotion in their voices, really made me understand just how important our festival is – not just as an entertainment platform, but as a space for dialogue, healing, and understanding. Sometimes you think, “We are just a film festival,” but then you realize how crucial it can be. When someone who has experienced the war up close shares their perspective, it’s a completely different experience than reading about it or talking about it. Those moments always stay with me – they make me even more proud of what we do here at goEast. It was one of those times that reminded me of the power of film to foster understanding and bring people together, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

As the festival director, you have a significant role, especially for young people. I still remember my own internship at goEast, when I first felt that my voice mattered. What do interns and young filmmakers mean to you, and what was important for you to give them on their journey?

Heleen Gerritsen: It’s very important to me that interns at goEast don’t just do tasks, but actually learn and develop. They are an integral part of the festival and the work we do. The exchange and mentoring mean a lot to me personally. I want them to feel like they are contributing to something bigger, and at the same time, growing alongside experienced professionals. It’s wonderful to see when former interns or assistants become successful in the film industry later on, and I often see them at other festivals or industry events. That sense of growth, both for them and for me, is truly rewarding. That interns are so closely integrated into the work processes and become a real part of the team is a big advantage of our festival. Everyone can rely on each other – that makes a big difference. It’s a family atmosphere here, and I think that’s why people return year after year. It’s about learning together, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other in the journey.

You just mentioned mentoring. What does it mean to you personally to mentor young filmmakers? And what would you advise the next generation of filmmakers today?

Heleen Gerritsen: For me, it’s crucial to create a strong network. That people support each other and can learn from each other is vital for long-term success. Many of my former assistants are now in responsible positions in the film industry. I see them flourishing and am always proud of their achievements. Being part of their growth and development makes me very proud, and I believe that’s one of the most fulfilling aspects of my role. My advice to young filmmakers today would be: Be brave, build networks, seek exchange – and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. The film industry is a challenging one, and there’s always something new to learn. The most important thing is to keep going, no matter how tough things get, and never stop growing. We all make mistakes, but that’s how we learn.

This year, goEast is focusing on the topic “OMAS, BABAS, BABUSHKAS – GENDER AND AGE IN EUROPEAN CINEMA” in the Symposium – a very personal and socially relevant topic. In my own biography, my grandmother plays a big role. Do you have a personal connection to this topic, perhaps a woman in your life who has shaped you? And why was it important for you to make these perspectives visible within the festival?

Heleen Gerritsen: Perhaps… Well, my mother was always working. When I was little, my father was studying and took care of me a lot. But I spent a lot of time with my grandparents. Especially my maternal grandmother was a very important person in my life. She was a major family figure – she always brought the entire family together, often ten times a year. These were mandatory events that everyone had to attend, whether they wanted to or not. She kept the family together, despite difficult circumstances. My grandparents married during World War II, and my grandmother was the oldest of eight siblings and had to take on responsibility early. These life stories have had a strong influence on me. My grandmother was always the person people turned to for advice, and she had a wisdom that came from experience. She was a force, and I’ve always admired her for that. But the topic of aging is not just personally important to me – it’s also a societal issue. Our society is getting older, and the proportion of older women is very high, not only in Germany but also in Eastern Europe. Still, these women are often depicted in stereotypical roles on screen. Our curators have put together a fantastic program that shows this diversity and presents new images of aging. I’d especially recommend the Ukrainian science fiction film The Gateway (Director: Volodymyr Tykhyy)– a quirky, touching film about a strong old woman who holds a family together and has access to other worlds. We need more stories like that. Stories that don’t just portray older women as fragile or helpless, but as strong, complex individuals.

Imagine you are standing in front of a mirror: On one side, you see the Heleen of today – on the other, the Heleen of 2017, who had just taken over as the head of goEast. What stands out to you? What has changed in you and in your perspective on the festival?

Heleen Gerritsen: In 2017, I was honestly quite overwhelmed. Everything was new: the structures, the collaboration with different partners, the responsibility. I had to learn and try a lot all at once, which was very challenging. But it was also exciting. Today, I have much more of an overview and experience. I can handle crises better – whether it’s visa problems, technical difficulties, or last-minute changes. I’ve become more relaxed and don’t get rattled as easily anymore. That helps not only in my work but also in my private life. I think the Heleen of today is more at ease, but also clearer about what she wants and what’s important. My confidence has grown, and I have a better understanding of how I want to shape the future of the festival. It’s been an incredible journey of growth, and I’ve learned so much from the team and the people around me.

This year, you are handing over the leadership of goEast to Rebecca Heiler. What advice would you give her for her new role? And what are your wishes for the future of the festival?

Heleen Gerritsen: I wish Rebecca to maintain her energy and enthusiasm, and to continue supporting young talent. That’s a core point of goEast: creating space for new voices. I am confident that Rebecca will bring the fresh energy the festival needs right now. For the future, I hope goEast remains a place where films, diversity, and real exchange stay at the center – beyond glamour and superficiality. I trust that she will continue to build upon what we’ve created and bring her own unique vision to the festival. The future looks bright, and I’m excited to see where she takes goEast.

To finish – If you could make a film without any constraints or limitations, what would it be about?

Heleen Gerritsen: I’ve actually already written a screenplay! It’s about the history of Germany and Eastern Europe, colonialism, and artists’ self-importance. It’s a very personal project that means a lot to me, and I have a strong emotional connection to it. I really hope to make it happen one day, though I know the process will be long. But I believe in the story, and I feel it’s something that needs to be told.

The 25th edition of goEast – Festival of Central and Eastern European Film is running on April 23-29, 2025.