ABOUT US
2022 and 2023
This Annual Report for the years 2022 and 2023 provides an overview of the key accomplishments of Document Our History Now. Both this Annual Report and our Financial Reports for 2022 and 2023 can be accessed on our website.
LGBTIQ Documentary Night in Siem Reap, Cambodia, January 2022
We were delighted to organize a queer film night at Rambutan Resort in Siem Reap. The event took place in their beautiful courtyard, where we showcased the following program:
Love and Other Matters Myanmar (2015) by SuSu Hlaing; Fruity The Netherlands (2019) by Selwin Vervoort; Photography: Diversity in Family Life in Rural Cambodia (2019) by Prum Ero; Trailer Lotus Sports Club, Cambodia (in production); Toms, The complex world of female love in Thailand by coconuts TV and Blue Sky, Myanmar (2019) by HeinZ.
Screening at Rambutan in Siem Reap
Screening at the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok
4th LGBTIQ+ Movie Night at the Embassy of the Netherlands, Bangkok, Thailand
On March 22, 2022, we co-organized the 4th LGBTIQ+ Movie Night, hosted by the Ambassador of the Netherlands and curated and moderated by Document Our History Now. The event drew a crowd of 200 attendees, resulting in a full house, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed the following program:
Love doesn’t Hurt (Netherlands, 1 min) by Dennis Lubbers; Love Wins (Thailand, 14 min.) by Anna Lawattanatrakul; Resilient in a Crisis (Indonesia, 19 min.) by Ricky MF
Bilal (Indonesia, 8 min.) by Fachri Al Jupri; Cycling Trip (the Netherlands 15 min.) by Sven Peetoom; Girlsboysmix (Netherlands, 6 min.) by Lara Aets; Fruity (Netherlands, 1 min) by Selwin Vervoort; A Blue Sky (Myanmar, 27 min.) by HeinZ
5th LGBTIQ+ Movie Night at the Embassy of the Netherlands, Bangkok, Thailand.
On February 16th 2023, we co-organized the 5th LGBTIQ+ Movie Night, hosted by the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Bangkok. We welcomed 220 attendees and were delighted to present the long-anticipated documentary ‘Lotus Sports Club,’ produced by our organization. The program included:
Speed Limit (4 min) by Zino Bakker’s, the Netherlands; Bes (7 min) by Ayla Cekin Satijn, the Netherlands; Awake (5 min) by Rumi Kaul, the Netherlands; Food Dating (15 min) by GeorgeK, Myanmar; Lotus Sports Club (72 min) by Vanna Hem, Cambodia, Tommaso Colognese, Italy and Robert Witlox, the Netherlands.
Documentary Lotus Sports Club (2022), Cambodia and the Netherlands
At the beginning of 2022, we completed the post-production of ‘Lotus Sports Club’ and initiated the submission of this documentary to film festivals worldwide.
The first acceptance came from the International Film Festival in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, an ideal location for the world premiere, with the presence of main protagonists Leak and Amas, coach PaVann, and Cambodian director Vanna Hem. Subsequently, the documentary was selected by nine other international film festivals throughout 2022, and Lotus Sports Club secured its inaugural award in Bangkok in December 2022.
Additionally, in December 2022, our partner and executive director of the LGBTIQ+ Organization RoCK organized a highly successful red carpet event in Phnom Penh. The team, accompanied by a few parents, director Vanna Hem, and producers Tommaso Colognese and Robert Witlox, participated in an engaging Q&A on stage. High-ranking Cambodian officials were also in attendance. The Minister of Information’s enthusiasm led to the screening of Lotus Sports Club on Cambodian TV on Valentine’s Day, February 2023.
During 2023 many other film festivals did select Lotus Sports Club. Thousands of people in cinema’s all over the world did see Lotus Sports Club. In total in 26 cities during 2023.
For a total overview of the screenings and an extensive description of Lotus Sports Club, click here (link to EPK here)
We are very happy Lotus Sports Club was awarded 5 times in 2022 and 2023. That is:
Honorable Mention Documentary Film
17th Tel Aviv International LGBTQ+ Film Festival – Official Selection 2022
Winner Best Documentary about LGBTQ+ Subject
BBK DOC – Bangkok International Documentary Awards Festival, Dec. 2022
Winner Audience Award Best Documentary Film
March 2023 at De Roze Filmdagen Amsterdam – Netherlands
Winner Best Feature film
May 2023 @outloudpiqff film festival in Pune, India.
Winner of the MIPCOM CANNES Diversify TV AWARD, category LGBTQIA+ non-scripted
October 2023 Diversify TV Awards Ceremony MIPCOMP Cannes – France
Lotus Sports Club was aired by KRO/NCRV on November 12, 2023 (NPO2), attracting a total of 18,000 viewers who watched from beginning to end. (Link to Press Release)
Throughout 2023, we, along with others, conducted crowdfunding campaigns to support the main protagonists in pursuing their language study aspirations. Additionally, we aimed to secure new shirts and a leisure budget for the Lotus team, which participated in the Gay Games held in Hong Kong, Nov. 2023. We are delighted that we successfully contributed to these endeavors. Currently, we are diligently accumulating a sufficiently substantial budget to provide the coach with the opportunity to complete their sporting objectives.
Booklet Warm Shelters
The series of photographs, captured by Prum Ero, has been featured in the booklet Warm Shelters, published by RoCK in Phnom Penh. The booklet is a compilation of photographic stories illustrating the lived reality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender families in Cambodia. RoCK utilizes the booklet in their advocacy efforts. Every attendee at the red carpet event in Phnom Penh in December 2022 received a copy.
Communication: website and newsletter
Throughout 2022 and 2023, we developed several new webpages on our website. By the end of 2023, our Newsletter mailing list comprised approximately 730 email addresses. This group of interested individuals received a total of seven newsletters during the two-year period. We send out newsletters whenever a new production is featured on our website or to extend invitations to our events. Private individuals can easily subscribe to or unsubscribe from the newsletter.
Friends and sponsors of Document Our History Now
Throughout 2022 and 2023, our sponsors included the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand), the EU Mission, and the US Embassy in Phnom Penh. We extend our heartfelt thanks to NZ Sauna, Zielhuis Uitvaart, as well as our private sponsors.
Our People
The Board of Directors in 2022 and 2023 consisted of Riemer Knoop (Chair), Hugo Bongers (Treasurer), and Ben Hekkema (Secretary).
During these years, our coordinator, Robert Witlox, dedicated a significant amount of time to supporting the organization, its productions, communication, presentation events, as well as securing sponsors and expanding our network in Southeast Asia. As a freelancer, he did not receive compensation for these efforts. He also organized and moderated the LGBTI Documentary Events, for which DOHN received a project grant.
Amsterdam, March 2024, The Board of Directors of Document Our History Now.
