The opening film of the Netherlands Film Festival (NFF), the leading annual festival celebrating Dutch film, premiered simultaneously in private cinemas for the first time on Friday, September 25. Alongside the festival’s official premiere of “Downtown” at Stadsschouwburg Utrecht, the film was screened for invited guests in TheAnyThing’s three new private cinemas at Pathé Utrecht Leidsche Rijn.

The premiere marked the start of a collaboration between NFF and TheAnyThing that continues throughout the festival. Earlier this month, TheAnyThing opened its first Utrecht location at Pathé Utrecht Leidsche Rijn, with three new private cinemas for two. A specially curated NFF collection is now available across all TheAnyThing locations, bringing a selection of Dutch films to the private cinema-on-demand platform.

Marjolijn Bronkhuyzen, Director NFF: “This collaboration between The Netherlands Film Festival and TheAnyThing was created to bring Dutch film to the attention of even more audiences. In TheAnyThing, visitors can personalize their cinema experience and experience the films from the NFF collection in their own way. The opening of three new private cinemas in Leidsche Rijn also marks a great start to our collaboration in Utrecht, the city we both call home.”

A different way to experience the same premiere
“When we developed the first prototype for TheAnyThing in Utrecht a few years ago, I wouldn’t have dared to dream that we would one day celebrate an opening-night premiere here together with the Netherlands Film Festival,” says TheAnyThing founder Thomas van de Weerd. “Film festival premieres traditionally bring everyone together in one theatre, at one moment. This time, we showed that the same premiere can also be experienced in a completely different way: in your own private cinema, on your own terms. To us, that is what personalized cinema is about.”

Actor Dennis ten Vergert, Dutch lifestyle couple Gooise Mannen; John ter Riet & Derkan Atakan and actor Jorrit Ruijs – Nederlands Filmfestival – photo credit Lotte Dale

NFF collection available throughout the festival
The collaboration continues throughout the Netherlands Film Festival with a specially curated NFF collection available at all TheAnyThing locations. The collection includes Dutch films connected to the festival, including “Voor de meisjes” and “Sweet Dreams”, as well as the new film “Stand Up”.

Like the rest of TheAnyThing’s catalogue of more than 2,000 films, the NFF titles can be selected through the platform and watched in a private cinema at a starting time chosen by the guest.

For the NFF x TheAnyThing film collection, click here.

About opening film “Downtown”
Amsterdam, 1986. At the flamboyant nightclub Downtown, Ronnie, Lennart and Bas seem untouchable. Their close-knit friendship revolves around nights full of freedom, desire and excess, set against the backdrop of a city in constant flux. But as the first rumours of AIDS begin to spread, the mood within their world slowly starts to shift. While Ronnie cautiously tries to look ahead, Lennart and Bas keep clinging to a life that seems endless — until Bas suddenly vanishes without a trace. More than thirty years later, during the coronavirus pandemic, Ronnie unexpectedly spots Bas again on the metro. He decides to organise a dinner, bringing Lennart along too, their first meeting in years.

Following the premiere night, the film will be shown in Dutch cinemas and at TheAnyThing from October 1st.

About TheAnyThing
TheAnyThing is a private cinema-on-demand concept offering a personalized cinema experience in which guests decide what they watch, when they watch and how they experience their film. With a catalogue of more than 2,000 films and control over elements including sound, lighting, temperature and pause, TheAnyThing combines theatrical cinema technology with the freedom of a private screening. TheAnyThing currently has five locations in the Netherlands: Wijk bij Duurstede, Rotterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven and Utrecht. Its newest location opened at Pathé Utrecht Leidsche Rijn in September 2026.

About The Netherlands Film Festival
During the 46th edition of the Netherlands Film Festival, discover what Dutch cinema is today. For eight days, Utrecht showcases the latest feature films, short films, digital productions, series and documentaries that offer new perspectives. Meet emerging talent and experience stories that stay with you. At NFF, discover what Dutch film and screen culture have to say today – and tomorrow. See you in Utrecht!