12. – 15. Nov. 2026
BEYOND Festival

Synopsis The Beneath (Onderaards):

Young model LONE (30) is under immense pressure: her pushy agent CASPER keeps lining up jobs for her, even though Lone can no longer handle the stress. After yet another uncomfortable photoshoot in which she is treated like a piece of meat, Lone hopes to finally find some peace in the only place where she feels safe: her small garden plot on the outskirts of the city. However, Lone makes a bizarre discovery there: a mysterious creature is eating all her plants from underground and threatens to destroy her entire garden. In an effort to protect her sanctuary, Lone engages in a fierce battle with the creature. But when she finally uncovers the creature’s true nature and stares into the source of all her troubles, the truth turns out to be far more shocking than Lone could have imagined.

Logline:
When an underground evil terrorizes her garden, a troubled woman must face her demons head-on to stop her fear.

Director Biography - Lisette Vlassak

Lisette Vlassak (’93) is a Dutch director known for her sensitive and intuitive storytelling style. She has directed several youth series for Zapp, including De Pestvlogs, Not Done, Broodje Aap, Er zijn
grenzen, and the Efteling series based on the attraction Danse Macabre. Her work often moves along the border between fantasy and reality, with a keen eye for vulnerability.

After graduating from the Netherlands Film Academy with her short film Cocon — which was awarded at both national and international festivals and centers on themes of self-acceptance and identity — Lisette built a versatile career in youth drama, short fiction, and web series. What has she learned along the way? “Filmmaking has helped me rediscover my voice. By telling my stories, I’ve come to understand myself better and learned to trust my intuition.”

That journey required courage. “There was a time when fear paralyzed me, but I chose to push my limits time and again, no matter how daunting it felt.”
This mindset has shaped her into a creator who values curiosity over certainty. “‘Keep learning and stay eager’ is a mantra I carry with me — in my work and beyond.”

After eight years in Amsterdam, Lisette has returned to her native region of Brabant. Armed with a backpack full of experience and a fresh perspective, she now focuses on new stories close to her
heart. Her latest short debut film, Onderaards (The Beneath) — a psychological thriller created in collaboration with De Ontmoeting and NTR, and supported by Netflix — will premiere soon.

In everything she creates, Lisette seeks connection: with her audience, her characters, and herself.
Not to be grand, but to remain sincere.

Director Statement

The Beneath is a critical reflection on the film industry we work in; a call for healthier, more sustainable working conditions. In a field where creators are constantly asked to be vulnerable, it is essential to foster a safe and supportive environment in which creativity can truly thrive.

This battle is personal to me. As a filmmaker with a neurodiverse brain, I know what it feels like to not always be seen or understood within established structures. With The Beneath, my debut film, I want to bring neurodiversity into the spotlight and celebrate it. I aim to engage in dialogue with those who are mentally vulnerable; about their fears, their resilience, and their stories. At the same time, I call on the film industry to have these conversations within its own ranks, and to commit to building more inclusive and mentally healthy working environments.