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Layered midnight-blue mountain ridges above misty water at golden dawn

STUDIONEW HORIZONS

STORIES BEYOND THE FAMILIAR

Independent filmmaking · The Hague & beyond

The studio

An independent film studio exploring the stories behind people, places and the work they do. Documentary filmmaking and personal video stories, shaped by curiosity.

Behind the studio

I'm Leander van der Plas, a filmmaker based in The Hague. Through Studio New Horizons and The Heart of Discovery, I follow people, their craft and the choices that shape their lives. I also explore films with entrepreneurs who want to share the personal story behind their business.

Current projects

  • From Pilgrim to Sendatsu

    In preparation

    Preparing a documentary about a European pilgrim's path to becoming a sendatsu within Japan's Shikoku Henro tradition.

    With support from JR Shikoku and Ohenro.Online.

  • Shikoku Henro

    Exhibition in development

    A multimedia exhibition bringing together film, photography and personal stories from the pilgrimage.

  • Eric — a knife maker in Sakai

    In the edit

    A documentary portrait of a French knife maker in Japan, for The Heart of Discovery.