Filmmaker Name: Jorrit Van Der Kooi
Short Biography About Filmmaker: Jorrit is an award-winning film and documentary director/producer based in Santa Barbara. Originally from the Netherlands, he began his career at 18 as a radio producer while he was studying journalism. By 23, he was producing TV shows for Dutch National Television and won his first award for a video about "The Guardian Angels" in Los Angeles, followed by a short video about the work of Mother Teresa in Calcutta. Jorrit has split his time between Europe and California, creating and directing notable TV series for national TV stations like "Rodeo Drive" and "Ranking the Cars". He has directed and produced several award-winning feature films and short movies in both California and Europe. His one-hour documentary about Colonel Parker, Elvis' manager, premiered theatrically and received critical acclaim after airing on Dutch national TV. In February 2023, his feature film "Fair Weather Road" premiered at the iconic TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood and is currently available on Amazon Prime.
Fluent in English, French, and Dutch, Jorrit has directed projects in various countries, including Tanzania, DR Congo, France, and many others across Europe.
What type of films do you most love to create?: Meaning films with strong dramatic story lines
Any notable awards or recognitions?: First prize at the micro short contest at Illuminate Film Festival in 2025 for My World
Best Director at the LACA festival in 2023 for Fair Weather Road
Best of Festival - Top Ten, at the Show Low Film Festival in 2023 for Fair Weather Road
Fun fact or interesting tidbit about yourself: In 2014 he was front page news in Belgium after a hospital mixed up his routine x ray with an elderly lady with cancer. This happened on the day of his birthday. For 10 days Jorrit and his doctors were under the impression he suffered from a rare and dangerous form of cancer, until further test results proved he was healthy and that there had been a mix up. The press, knowing he is a director, suggested this bizarre story should be made into a movie.
Website: http://www.silverspirit.tv
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jorritbvanderkooi/
Instagram: http://@jorritsilverspirit
