Muriel d'Ansembourg's Truly Naked Wins Six Golden Calves at Utrecht Gala

Dominance of Truly Naked

The English-language drama Truly Naked captured six awards at the 46th Gouden Kalveren Gala held at the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht on Friday evening. Directed by Dutch filmmaker Muriel d'Ansembourg, the feature won for best film, best directing, best screenplay, best cinematography by Myrthe Mosterman, best editing by Emiel Nuninga, and best production design by Fleur Ankoné. The story centres on Alec, played by Irish debutant Caolán O'Gorman, a teenager who films and edits low-budget pornography produced by his father. After premiering earlier in the year at the Berlin International Film Festival, the production drew 17,000 cinema visitors in the Netherlands. D'Ansembourg reflected on the emotional core of the project during her remarks.

For me, this film is about a longing for real connection, with the other and with yourself. Truly seeing and being seen. That also means daring to be vulnerable.

Acting awards and Joe Speedboot

While Truly Naked dominated the technical and headline categories, its foreign cast remained ineligible for acting nominations under academy regulations. The feature Joe Speedboot entered the evening with nine nominations, the highest tally of any film, but converted only one into a win. Twenty-four-year-old Daan Buringa secured the Golden Calf for best lead actor in a feature film for his performance as Fransje Hermans, a teenager who navigates life in a wheelchair following an accident. Thor Braun took home the award for best supporting actor for his role in Downtown, directed by Michiel van Erp, which also received the award for costume design. Both leading feature films at the ceremony explored themes of adolescent sexual awakening and coming of age.

Television honours and honorary recognition

In the television categories, the biographical drama series Basta emerged as the primary winner with three awards decided by a dedicated jury. The production, which portrays the life and career of Dutch footballer Marco van Basten, secured the Golden Calf for best drama series, best direction for Remy van Heugten, and best lead role for Chris Peters. Director Van Heugten credited Van Basten for permitting the production to address his personal and mental struggles alongside his athletic achievements. The youth series Hein 2 collected the prize for best television screenplay. Halina Reijn accepted the Golden Calf for Film Culture, an honorary distinction announced prior to the ceremony celebrating individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Dutch cinema.

I always say as a joke: I am a peasant in Hollywood, but I do mean it. I think that is also something positive.

Documentary, short film, and audience choices

Director Maasja Ooms received the Golden Calf for best documentary for Mijn woord tegen het mijne, a study following five people who hear voices and undergo treatment. The project previously secured the top Dutch documentary award at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam. The short film prize went to This Is Your Captain Speaking by Nienke Deutz and Digna van der Put, which surveyed residents in the Delfshaven district of Rotterdam about having superpowers for a single day. Mike van Diem's feature Voor de meisjes, which won best feature film in 2025, received the Golden Calf audience award after drawing 324,000 cinema admissions over the past year. The audience documentary prize was awarded to Mama'ku - Van Jakarta tot de Molukken.