JULIA M. FREE
DIRECTOR | WRITER | PHOTOGRAPHER
BRUSSELS | AMSTERDAM
GAY & GREY
CREATOR, WRITER, DIRECTOR
Documentary Series
In Development
VRT-Canvas docu-series following the lives of elderly lesbian couples, whose relationships have stood the test of time.
Produced by De Mensen (BE)
Supported by the Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF), Journalismfund Europe, Fonds Pascal Decroos & DeAuteurs.
Participated in Cinesud Docroom Development Lab (NL) 2023 & Documentary Campus (DE) 2024
SLAVE ISLAND VOICES OF LIBERATION
PRODUCER PRODUCER
Feature Documentary 11-part Documentary Series
Released 2025 - Movies That Matter Festival (NL) / Docville Leuven (BE) Released 2022 - Netflix / Streamz / VRT-CANVAS
Jeremy, an activist for over a decade, faces the invisible power of ideology A closer look at the experiences of those who played a role in
faith as he combats traditions of present-day slavery on a remote island. liberating Europe during World War II.
Directed by Jeremy Kewuan (ID) and Jimmy Hendrickx (BE). Written & Directed by Koen Mortier (BE)
Produced by Harald House (BE) in co-production with The Y-House (BE), Produced by CZAR FILM & TV (BE) in co-production with Interstellar
Baltic Film Production (EE), Flash Forward Entertainment (TW), Pictures (NL) and NL Film.
Samarcanda Film (IT), KOI Films (FR)
ABOUT.
Julia M. Free (1991, Netherlands) is active in both Belgium and the Netherlands. Her work focuses on exploring underrepresented voices across various layers of society, focusing on themes such as identity, diversity, community, and social change. She participated in Writers and Directors Lab's CineSud Shift Lab 2022 (NL), Torino Film Industry TSFM Italy & Oostend Filmfestival 2023 (BE/IT), Cinesud Docroom 2023 (NL), LEF Leadership and Ownership in Film - Flemish Audiovisual Fund (VAF) 2023/2024, Documentary Campus 2024 (DE)
Julia is a Member of the Flemish Association of Journalists (VVJ), The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) & DeAuteurs.
2024
Rotterdam Photo Festival NL
2021
"A portrait of a Covid Nurse" Festival del la Fotografia Etica Lodiand Codogno IT
2018
"Grensgevallen" Les Rencontres de la Photographie d'Arles Arles FR
2016
"Eurocrats" Permanent exhibition in the Berlaymont, the headquarters of the European Commission Brussels BE
2016
"Grensgevallen" Conception Photography Show New York US
2015
"Grensgevallen" Mister B. Leuven BE
2013
"London 2012 Olympics" Nacht van de Journalistiek The Egg Brussels BE
2012
"Amsterdam Jazz Portraits" BHART#1 Contemporary Arts Festival Antwerp BE
2011
"Amsterdam Jazz Portraits" NEL Amstelveld Amsterdam NL
Interviews & articles
2025
Gay & Grey De Morgen, BE
2025
Gay & Grey Tijdgeest Trouw, NL
2023
Gay & Grey Noordhollands Dagblad, NL
2021
MVIBE Magazine, USA
2020
STREEM Magazine, DE
2015
Grensgevallen MO Magazine BE
2012
Amsterdam Jazz portraits Entitle Photography Magazine UK
2012
London 2012 Olympics Apache News BE
2012
Saxophonist Toine Thys captured by Julia M. Free Knack Focus Magazine BE
Reviews
Artwista Gallery, Berlin DE
"Scenes of current affairs offering ambiguous narrative suggestions and blurred lines between fiction and reality"
Grensgevallen Art Magazine Kunstkrant NL
"Pure photography in exhibition 'Grensgevallen'. This series offers a wide variety of images and remains infectious to watch. It is photography at its most fresh and pure form. The photos last, not only as a series but also individually."
Amsterdam Jazz portraits De Singel International Art Campus BE
"Photos that summarize their fined ambiance of jazz concerts, mastered in black and white. Lots of potential, ambition, and courage."
Jan Jasper Tamboer, culture-critic. Parool Daily Newspaper NL
"She comes, she sees. Photographer Julia M. Free needs a few chances to isolate exactly the image that she has in mind. From a creative vision to
realizing her ideas in a very personal way. Julia has guts and differs from the usual. For example, showed at the Belgian journalistic medium Apache.be, for which they made a run from her own perspective on the impact of the Olympic Games on London. The series of portraits of jazz musicians is remarkable. Julia is currently working on an oeuvre in the demanding surroundings of the European Commission in Brussels."
Awards
2021
World Report Award / Documenting Humanity - Festival del la Fotografia Etica 2021 Lodiand Codogno IT
2021
EMERGENTES 2021 - Lisboa Photo Festival, Lisboa, PT
Education
2022
ScriptAcademy EYE Filmmuseum
Amsterdam NL
2020
DanceWorks Institute for Modern Dance
Berlin DE
2019
Film, Creative Media Production and Performing Arts
Raindance Film Institute, London UK
2013-2017
Fine Arts and Photography
LUCA School of Arts, Brussels BE