ABOUT US
2024
Annual Report 2024
This Annual Report 2024 gives an overview of the main achievements of Document Our History Now. Both this report and our Financial Report 2024 are available on our website.
6th LGBTIQ+ Movie Night at the Embassy of the Netherlands, Bangkok, Thailand
On February 22, 2024, we co-organized the 6th LGBTIQ+ Movie Night, hosted by the Dutch Ambassador in Bangkok. Around 300 people attended the event.
We screened three short films created by fourth-year Communication and Media students from Bangkok University. Their assignment was to produce a short queer story as part of their final year. These three films were selected as the best from a group of ten.
- Dad (Thailand, 10 min)
A young man tries to fulfill his father’s last wish, leading him on a life-changing journey filled with love, acceptance, and the strength of unconventional families. - The Secret (Thailand, 8:30 min)
A young girl from Esan struggles with loneliness, insecurity, and anxiety, guided only by her inner voice. - Summertime (Thailand, 8:47 min)
A coming-of-age story told from a bisexual perspective. How many summers can someone experience in a lifetime? Some are unforgettable. A tribute to those who were part of those summers.
Other Films in the Program:
- Required Reading (Netherlands, 15:20 min)
An unexpected love story between a straight-identifying man and a non-binary person. - Mama’s Sun (Vietnam, 14 min)
- Boy Therapy (Thailand, 7 min)
- 30 Days Before I Am Dead (Thailand, 20 min)
- Lola vs Ed (Netherlands, 10:10 min)
A film about taxi driver Ed and drag queen Lola, exploring prejudice and desire.
Documentary: DAD (2024, Thailand, 34 min)
DAD tells the moving story of Pop Bandit, a middle-aged gay man who promised his father he would start a family. Pop and his wife Mae Payong defy social norms and decide to raise children together. When Pop’s mother expresses a wish for grandchildren, they go on to have twins — May and Mine. Despite criticism, their family becomes a symbol of love, support, and resilience.
How DAD Was Made
In 2023, fourth-year Communication and Media students at Bangkok University were asked to create a short queer-themed film. One of the results was a short version of DAD (10 min). Seeing its potential, Document Our History Now helped the students expand it into a 35-minute documentary. Completed in 2024, the film is now ready to reach a broader audience in Thailand and beyond.
The film combines interviews with the four main characters and re-enacted scenes from Pop’s youth — a format that reflects Thai film tradition.
Photography Exhibition: Amongst the Waves, Doves, Spiders and its Webs
Bali, Indonesia – October 13, 2024
At Uma Seminyak in Bali, Dwi Asrul Fajar opened his solo exhibition, which was visited by around 300 people. The opening included traditional dance, poetry, and participation from the queer community and protagonists.
We were proud to support Asrul’s work and help organize this event, in collaboration with the Queer Language Club in Bali and the Dutch Embassy in Jakarta.
About the Project
According to the UNHCR, forced displacement happens due to persecution, conflict, or human rights violations. For many queer individuals, this is a familiar story — a journey to reclaim one’s identity, build new connections, and create a sense of home.
Amongst the Waves, Doves, Spiders and its Webs is a photo documentary that mixes reality with poetic fiction. It tells a universal story of belonging and identity, drawing a symbolic link between the Prophet Muhammad’s journey and the experiences of queer people who migrated to Bali, the “island of gods.”
Documentary: Lotus Sports Club (2022, Cambodia & the Netherlands)
In early 2022, we completed post-production for Lotus Sports Club and began submitting it to film festivals.
By 2024, the documentary had been selected by 18 additional festivals and licensed to various Video On Demand platforms. Thanks to the income received, we were able to repay our investors.
Communication: Website & Newsletter
In 2024, we added several new pages to our website. By the end of the year, our newsletter had about 700 subscribers. We sent four newsletters during the year, featuring updates on new productions and event invitations. Subscribing or unsubscribing is easy for private individuals.
Friends and Sponsors
In 2024, our sponsors included the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (via the embassies in Bangkok and Jakarta). We also thank NZ Sauna, Zielhuis Uitvaart, De Trut-fonds, Tim Meijerink-fonds, and our many private sponsors.
Our People
The Board of Directors in 2024:
- Riemer Knoop, Chair
- Hugo Bongers, Treasurer
- Ben Hekkema, Secretary
Robert Witlox, our coordinator, dedicated substantial time to the organization — including production support, communications, events, fundraising, and expanding our network in Southeast Asia. As a freelancer, he received no payment. He also organized and moderated the LGBTIQ Movie Nights, supported by a project grant.
Amsterdam, May 2025
The Board of Directors of Document Our History Now
