)
Hamlet signs director Lieven Van Baelen
)
The acclaimed filmmaker joins the company’s roster for Europe and Asia.
A new addition to the Hamlet roster, Lieven Van Baelen is an award-winning director known for his sharp storytelling and visually rich, high-impact work.
His campaigns for major brands including Heineken, Nissan, Skoda, Samsonite, Coca-Cola, BMW and Renault have earned recognition at Cannes Lions, Eurobest, Effie and the Belgian Creative Club (CCB) Awards.
A graduate of the Royal Institute for Theatre, Cinema & Sound in Brussels, Van Baelen began his career as a projectionist in an arthouse cinema before becoming a colourist and later a Director of Photography. This background provided him with a deep technical understanding of image-making, which now informs his distinctive, cinematic approach to directing.
“We’re delighted to announce that Lieven Van Baelen is joining Hamlet,” said Jason Felstead, Co-Founder and Executive Producer at Hamlet. “His name speaks for itself, I grew up following his work, and it’s truly an honour to welcome someone of his calibre into our family. Lieven is at the peak of his career, and signing a director with such depth of experience, artistry, and vision marks an exciting new chapter for Hamlet. His arrival not only strengthens who we are but also elevates the kind of work we aim to attract. He embodies everything we look for in a director: high-end with exceptional craft and a genuine, inspiring, enjoyable person to collaborate with. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on board.”
“For me, joining Hamlet wasn’t just about working with one of the best production houses out there,” added Van Baelen. “It was about the people, their drive, their honesty, and the way they combine hard work with genuine mutual respect. Choosing Hamlet feels like coming back to a place that truly fits.”
Alongside his commercial work, Van Baelen has also directed the feature film Rookie (2021), starring Matteo Simoni and Academy Award nominee Veerle Baetens.
