Michiel Ubels (1989, The Netherlands, Beuningen) makes films and performances about the beauty of social awkwardness, failure, personal struggles, sexuality, shame and absurdity in which the boundaries between fiction and documentary are often blurred. Michiel mainly works with inexperienced amateurs to whom he gives game-like instructions or places them in fully staged settings to provoke exciting and unexpected situations. With a playful mix of chaos and wit, he invites viewers to constantly shift their viewpoints on the unusual situations that unfold. He always enjoys receiving replies to his work so feel free to send him a message: michielubels@live.nl

EDUCATION:

  • 2013 - 2016   Bachelor of Fine Arts, MAFAD - Maastricht

  • 2012 - 2013   KASK film school - Gent, België

  • 2011 - 2012   FHK kunsteducation - Tilburg

  • 2006 - 2010   ROC Graphic Design - Nijmegen

AWARDS:

SCREENINGS / EXPO’S:

Art and Baby (2024)

  • DE ARCADE, Abdij Ulingsheide - Tegelen

  • Limburg Film Festival 2024, Venlo

The Legendary Lekkerbek (2022)

  • Museum van Bommel van Dam, Venlo - Roéte Route

  • Odapark, Venray - Limburg Biënnale 2024

  • TRANSITIONS Festival 2023, Maastricht

  • Bosch Parade 2022, 's-Hertogenbosch

 

Lovers and Cameras (2021)

  • Beholders; documentary dialogues 2021, Veghel

  • Odapark, Venray - VOOR JONG EN OUD

  • TRANSITIONS Festival 2023, Maastricht

  • L1 Regionale omroep van Limburg

  • Limburg Film Festival 2022, Venlo

  • Lumière Cinema, Maastricht

  • Prospects, Art Rotterdam

 

My Landbouwbelang (2021)

  • Het Nieuwe Instituut, Rotterdam - Housing Futures

  • Beholders; documentary dialogues 2021, Veghel

  • TRANSITIONS Festival 2023, Maastricht

  • Limburg Film Festival 2022, Venlo

  • Lumière Cinema, Maastricht

 

Church Service Remix (2019)

  • Marres, Maastricht - Limburg Biënnale 2020

  • Odapark, Venray - VOOR JONG EN OUD 

  • TRANSITIONS Festival 2023, Maastricht

  • De Grote Sint-Laurenskerk, Rotterdam

  • TAC, Eindhoven - TAC 2 GO festival

 

Coffee and Cake (2019)

  • TAC, Eindhoven - TAC 2 GO festival

  • BUT Film Festival 2019, Breda

  • B32 Artspace, Maastricht

  • KOP, Breda

 

I love you Baby Bear (2019)

  • Swine Piss And Other Fluids, Westergas, Amsterdam

  • RUIS, Nijmegen - 1 Michiel, 2 films en 3 vrienden

  • Bureau Europa, Maastricht - Publieke Geheimen

  • TRANSITIONS Festival 2023, Maastricht

  • Marres, Maastricht - Limburg Biënnale

  • Brandweer Movie Nights, Maastricht

Dating Application (2018)

  • Limburg Film Festival 2019, Venlo - winner best short documentary

  • Lumière Cinema, Maastricht - Maastricht meet short films

  • RUIS, Nijmegen - 1 Michiel, 2 films en 3 vrienden

  • Focus filmtheater, Arnhem - Arnhemse Uitnacht

  • Eindhoven Film Festival 2018, Eindhoven

  • TRANSITIONS Festival 2023, Maastricht

  • Filmtheater De Nieuwe Scene, Venlo

  • TAC, Eindhoven - TAC 2 GO festival

  • L1 Regional broadcaster of Limburg

  • ECI Cultuurfabriek, Roermond

  • The Wrong Biennale, Online

  • B32 Artspace, Maastricht

  • LIMA ateliers, Heerlen

  • KOP, Breda

     

The King of Insanity (2016)

  • TENT, Rotterdam - winner of the TENT Academy Award 2016

  • Lumière Cinema, Maastricht - Video Power Movie Night

  • Atelier Mondial, Basel, Switzerland - open studios

  • Foundation B.a.d, Rotterdam - South Explorer

  • Studio Omstand, Arnhem - Ernstig Geschikt

  • Eindhoven Film Festival 2019, Eindhoven

  • TRANSITIONS Festival 2023, Maastricht

  • TAC, Eindhoven - TAC 2 GO festival

  • L1 Regional broadcaster of Limburg

  • Limburg Film Festival 2017, Venlo

  • LIMA ateliers, Heerlen

  • KOP, Breda

 

Laura Laura Laura (2016)

  • Museum van Bommel van Dam, Venlo - Playhouse '71 - '17

  • Designhuis, Eindhoven - Dutch Design Week

  • L1 Regional broadcaster of Limburg

  • Gijón Film Festival, Gijón, Spain

  • Lumière Cinema, Maastricht

 

Homeless for a Week (2016)

  • International PILOT Filmfestival 2018, Arnhem

  • Filmtheater De Nieuwe Scene, Venlo

  • L1 Regional broadcaster of Limburg

  • ECI Cultuurfabriek, Roermond

  • Lumière Cinema, Maastricht