School of Acting alumni Thor Braun and Ilke Paddenburg nominated for a Golden Calf

Thor Braun and Ilke Paddenburg, both alumni of the School of Acting, have been nominated for a Golden Calf. Thor has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film Downtown. He graduated from the School of Acting at ArtEZ Academy of Theatre & Dance in 2025. Ilke Paddenburg, who graduated in 2011, has been nominated in the Best Short Film category for her film A Shot at Art. The nominations for the 2026 Golden Calves were announced during the 46th edition of the Netherlands Film Festival.

Photo: Ilke Paddenburg, Acteursbelangen

Golden Calves

The Golden Calf is the highest honour in Dutch cinema. The awards have been presented annually since the first edition of the Netherlands Film Festival in 1981. Awards are presented to Dutch filmmakers, screenwriters, producers and actors, among others, as well as to feature films, documentaries, series and digital culture productions.

This year’s Golden Calves will be presented on 2 October 2026 at the EY Golden Calves Gala. The ceremony takes place on the closing night of the festival and will be streamed live on the Netherlands Film Festival website from 8 pm.

Graduated from the School of Acting

Before starting at the School of Acting, Thor had already appeared in films and TV series, including Oogappels and Het geheim. His studies at ArtEZ Academy of Theatre & Dance gave him the opportunity to find his own voice and style.

Ilke Paddenburg was previously nominated for a Golden Calf in 2022, for Best Leading Role in a Short Film for Het kamp. She talks to Dutch broadcaster NPO about this year’s nomination.