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Mr. Geert E. Heetebrij

Associate Professor

Education

BA - Calvin College, Philosophy and Art, 1993

M.F.A. - 2014 University of California, Los Angeles
School of Theater, Film and Television: Department of Film, Television and Digital Media:
Screenwriting Program

Professional Experience

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Film and Media, Department of Communication, Calvin University - 2015-present

SCREENWRITER/DIRECTOR

Writer/Director: The Manifestation, a psychological thriller (2024) with Inbar Lavi, Jack Kesy, and
Usman Ally.


Writer: The Undergrounds, Honorable mention at 2021 University Film and Video Association
screenplay awards. Developed as graphic novel which was Editor’s Pick of BookLife by
Publisher’s Weekly in 2020. Earlier screenplay draft was winner of UCLA School of Theater,
Film and Television’s 2014 Oliver’s Prize, and screenplay semifinalist in the 2013 Page
Awards.


Writer: Mistbound, story for an adventure game platform and original IP developed by W! Games
(2007).


Writer: The Interior, a dramatic web series featured in WSJ “New Media Trends” (12/16/06).


Writer: A Foreign Affair with David Arquette, Tim Blake Nelson, and Emily Mortimer. The film
premiered at the Sundance Film Festival (2003), was distributed worldwide, and got “Two
Thumbs Up!” from Ebert and Roeper.

PRODUCER

Producer: The Manifestation (2024), a feature-length narrative film (85 mins)
starring Inbar Lavi (Lucifer, Imposters, Fauda), Jack Kesy (Claws,
Deadpool 2), and Usman Ally (God’s Favorite Idiot, A Series of
Unfortunate Events).


Producer, Co-Director: Black Slaves for Sale, documentary about 21st century slave trade in
war-torn Sudan. Co-production of EO TV, Netherlands and NDR,
Germany, 2000. Shown in over a dozen countries. U.S. Premiere at
Amnesty International Film Festival, 2002.


Producer: Trial by Fire, documentary about women convict firefighters
augmenting California’s wildfire-fighting forces, EO TV,
Netherlands, 2000.


Producer: Mercy Ships, a reality-style documentary series aboard hospital ship
Anastasis in Gambia, Africa, EO TV, Netherlands, 2000.


Producer: The Crash: Flight 1420, a documentary about Ouachita Baptist
University-victims of American Airlines Flight 1420, EO TV,
Netherlands, 2000.

CAMERAMAN AND EDITOR

The Manifestation, Feature film co-editor, 2024
• The Wild Adventure, MT Promo (all camera except drone footage), 2018
• Calvin Theatre Company, Commercial campaign nominated for 2018 Emmy, 2017
• Community Bible Study, Various promos (camera only), 2012-2015
• CAbi Fashion, New Collection Promos (editing only), 2014
• Vera Bradley Fashion, New Collection Promo (editing only), 2014
• Joni Eareckson-Tada, TV-series Joni and Friends, 2009-2014
• Procter & Gamble, Oxnard facility video (camera only), 2013
• Reuters TV, Various LA Entertainment News Items, 2007-2010
• Associated Press, Vanity Fair Oscars party (camera only) 2009