Esther van Messel
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esthervanmessel.bsky.social
Esther van Messel
@esthervanmessel.bsky.social
94 followers 220 following 5 posts
Feminism, Film, Entrepreneurship
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Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
✨ Nominiert für den Solothurner Filmpreis ✨ Ein einzigartiger Film der palästinensischen Geflüchteten eine Stimme und ein Gesicht gibt: intim, menschlich und universell.

🎊 Kommt zahlreich an die Vorpremieren in Anwesenheit der Protagonistin Haneen Harara und des Regisseurs Nicolas Wadimoff.
January 13, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
📣 We are pitching the wonderful Hanka Nobis newest film PEARLS at WEMW Trieste after out work on POLISH PRAYERS and SONGS OF SISTERHOOD. Come and say hi! 🩷

A woman dreams of the highest office, in a country where power still wears a suit.

#FirstHandFilms #Documentary #WEMW
January 14, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
LESBIAN SPACE PRINCESS 🚀🪐 Ab 21. Januar 2026 im Kino.
Macht euch bereit für eine verrückte Odyssee durchs All, mit garantiertem Spass und brandneuen Planeten!

✨ Eine inter-gay-laktische Reise: Lustig und farbenfroh.
January 9, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
Proud to present this extraordinary series with Tunde Wey, chef, fighting colonialism and capitalism with Nigerian food:

HARD TO SWALLOW by Tunde Wey & Theo Schear

Find out more: www.firsthandfilms.com/films/Hard+t...

#FirstHandFilms #Documentary
December 18, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
KALARI KID – SHE HITS BACK feiert Premiere an den Solothurner Filmtagen 2026 und ist für den Prix du Public nominiert. Ein Film über Selbstverteidigung, Widerstand und weibliche Stärke.
#KalariKid #SolothurnerFilmtage #PrixDuPublic #Documentary #SwissCinema
December 22, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
Wir feiern unsere starke Präsenz an den Solothurner Filmtagen 2026: KALARI KID – SHE HITS BACK (Prix du Public), dazu WHO IS STILL ALIVE (Prix Soleure), LAUNDRY, SHEWIT sowie im Panorama LA BEAUTÉ DE L’ANE und BARBARA BUSER. Wir freuen uns auf Solothurn!

#SolothurnerFilmtage #FirstHandFilms
December 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
Welcome Ashleigh 💖

We're happy to announce that following a wonderful cooperation on Impact and Outreach for our theatrical releases in Switzerland we now have this amazing person working with us on international marketing as well!
www.firsthandfilms.com/ashleigh-bell

#FirstHandFilms #Family
October 30, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
Following its fabulous premiere at #VeniceFilmFestival join us and watch the trailer of:

ELVIRA NOTARI - BEYOND SILENCE by Valerio Ciriaci

From the margins, Italy’s first woman film director returns to view.

www.firsthandfilms.com/films/Elvira...
October 14, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
Honored and excited to present the legendary biopic of Miriam Makeba:

MAMA AFRICA by Mika Kaurismäki
www.firsthandfilms.com/films/Mama+A...

#MiriamMakeba #MamaAfrica #SouthAfrica #PataPata #Anti-Apartheid #Freedom #Justice #Resistance #FirstHandFilms #Library #Documentary
October 8, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
Proud to present a sneak preview of this brilliant historical testimony by an upcoming filmmaking team from Nazareth:

MAY OF THE COVENANT by Ward Jaraisi

www.firsthandfilms.com/films/May+of...

#Palestine #Nazareth #SaveGaza #FreePalestine #FirstHandFilms #Documentary
October 3, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
Selected for @unesco.org's Memory of the World Register (1001 carefully curated films), this film from 2003 is still, and again relevant:

ARNA'S CHILDREN by Juliano Mer Khamis

Palestinian theatre students use art as a weapon against the Occupation.
September 12, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
Premiering at the debut edition of #SXSWLondon today: PALESTINE COMEDY CLUB by Alaa 'Regash' Aliabdallah & Charlotte Knowles following a buzzworthy launch when pitched at Cannes Docs-in-Progress.

www.firsthandfilms.com/films/Palest...

@esthervanmessel.bsky.social
June 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
✨DANS LA CUISINE DES NGUYEN – ein Musical, eine liebevolle Hommage an die Beziehung zwischen Müttern und Töchtern und an die Magie des Kochens.

🎬 Ab 12. Juni 2025 in Basel,kult.kino atelier, Biel Cinevital Rex, Luzern Capitol, Zürich Capitol und St. Gallen Scala

@esthervanmessel.bsky.social
May 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
esthervanmessel.bsky.social
@mcuban.bsky.social Are we preparing for winning? Midterms and 2028, if we do, it’ll be called ‘fake’, like now this economy is suddenly Biden‘s fault. Are we ready? Is there a plan on how to win and then keep that win?
May 1, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
United Nations Human Rights screenings in South Sudan & Tunisia of LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL by Mohamed Jabaly made possible by the wonderful @fifdh.bsky.social OHCHR-Tunisia & UNISFA
Thank you for your hard work on the film's meaningful impact on your audiences, we couldn't ask for better partners!
May 1, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
British Airways, Kenyan Airways and American Airlines are streaming CALL ME DANCER by Leslie Shampaine & Pip Gilmour above the clouds!

Where to watch back here on earth: www.firsthandfilms.com/films/Call+M...

@esthervanmessel.bsky.social
April 23, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
Disney+ in Europe is now streaming GOLDEN AGE by Beat Oswald!

Extravaganza meets isolation in a dazzling contest. With exclusive behind-the-scenes access, The Palace unveils Miami’s top-rated senior community—where glamour, parties, and business thrive. A vibrant yet complex world unfolds.
April 22, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
🎉 We are thrilled to celebrate the talent and diverse voices from the 🏆 FIRST HAND FUND DIVERSITY CALL! 🏆 Seven unique projects embodying diversity, collaboration, and creativity were awarded, each representing a commitment to breaking barriers and embracing innovation.

@esthervanmessel.bsky.social
April 8, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
🏆 6/7 Winner Spotlight: First Hand Fund Diversity Call 🏆

SEERA FILMS – where powerful stories from Asia, Africa, and the Arabic-speaking world come to life. SEERA Films amplifies underrepresented voices and showcases diverse narratives with global impact.

@esthervanmessel.bsky.social
April 2, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
WOMEN CONQUER THE ART BUSINESS by Sarah Rathgeb produced by Esther van Messel has been invited to the Womens Voices Now Festival!

This film showcases women gallerists who reshaped the male-dominated art world.

Get tickets here: www.womensvoicesnow.org/women-conque...

@esthervanmessel.bsky.social
March 21, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
A few years ago we couldn't image a world with wars like in previous centuries, yet here we are. In this film, we watch people who know how to make peace:

THE NEGOTIATORS - HOW TO MAKE PEACE by Rosalind Bain

www.firsthandfilms.com/films/The+Ne...

@esthervanmessel.bsky.social
March 25, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
🏆 5/7 Winner Spotlight: First Hand Fund Diversity Call 🏆

BE–IN is a platform that enhances visibility, networking, and accessibility in the film festival community through resources, education, and social media.

More information about our Fund: www.firsthandfund.com
@esthervanmessel.bsky.social
March 28, 2025 at 9:16 AM
esthervanmessel.bsky.social
Free all political prisoners!

chng.it/kdnSPZzsPh
Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?
Global Filmmakers call for the release of Hamdan Ballal
chng.it
March 25, 2025 at 10:50 AM
esthervanmessel.bsky.social
Congratulations to all the winners!
Industry: Van Messel unveils First Hand Diversity Fund recipients - Business Doc Europe
“The idea was to give back to the industry after 25 amazing years,” says First Hand Films CEO and founder Esther van Messel.
businessdoceurope.com
March 23, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Reposted by Esther van Messel
firsthandfilms.bsky.social
🏆 2/7 Winner Spotlight: First Hand Fund Diversity Call 🏆

PALARCTIC by Mohamed Jabaly for Tvibit
A Film Program for Nordic & Palestinian Filmmakers
Submit here: tvibit.net/palarctic-project

For more information about our Fund: www.firsthandfund.com

@esthervanmessel.bsky.social
March 12, 2025 at 8:42 AM