Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
I served on the EMEA Production senior leadership team at Netflix, leading multidisciplinary teams across 20+ markets and supporting a broad slate of film and series through a period of rapid regional growth. A central part of that role was shaping how new technology gets adopted at scale. I worked closely with Product teams to develop and roll out production tooling, and served as EMEA lead in Netflix's global AI working group, helping define how the company approached AI in production workflows across the region. With a background in editing, post production and VFX, I always approach operations from a creative perspective. Over 25 years in global film and TV, including 15 years building and scaling content organisations, I've focused on translating creative ambition into practical, scalable execution. Simplifying complex production environments, removing friction, and making technology work reliably rather than experimentally. Today I work independently, advising production companies, investors, and strategy consultancies on how AI is reshaping workflows, creative operations, and production models in film and television. I'm particularly focused on assistive AI: tools and systems that amplify human skill and judgment rather than substitute for them. My focus is on the practical side: what's genuinely useful, where the risks are, and how to build adoption that actually sticks.
I advise studios, broadcasters, media organisations, and investment firms on media operations, production technology, and operating model design across EMEA. My work covers workflow optimisation, team design, production technology strategy, and the integration of AI into production environments, with a particular focus on assistive AI: tools and systems that amplify human skill rather than substitute for it. In parallel, I serve as an industry expert to global management consultancies and investment firms, providing strategic insight on media operations, vendor ecosystems, and emerging technology adoption in film and television. I bring extensive experience building and leading Post, VFX, Music, and Production Technology organisations across the region, combining creative understanding with operational rigour and deep ecosystem knowledge.
Led the Production Solutions team across EMEA, a cross-functional group of specialists in Post, VFX, Music, Technology, and Innovation. Our remit was to scale operational support, integrate emerging technologies, and help productions deliver at Netflix’s creative and technical standards across the region. Acted as the primary EMEA liaison to global Technology, AI, and Product teams, ensuring regional needs shaped global tooling and strategy. Guided the integration of innovations such as Virtual Production and AI while also overseeing hands-on support for delivery, technical workflows, and title-level execution. Beyond tools and systems, I led initiatives in training and industry engagement to close talent gaps in developing markets and strengthen Netflix’s partnerships with vendors, creatives, and local industries. Our goal was to empower production teams to operate with greater independence, speed, and creative confidence, while maintaining the high standards that define the Netflix brand. Played an active role in regional production strategy, contributing to how Netflix scaled content creation across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Appointed to establish and define the Production Solutions function in EMEA. Designed the team’s structure, charter, and operating model to support Netflix’s evolving regional content strategy. Built a multi-disciplinary group connecting creative, operational, and technical expertise. Focused on unifying innovation efforts, enabling smarter workflows, and positioning Production Solutions as a strategic partner across the content pipeline.
Expanded leadership scope to include the VFX team, completing the integration of four key disciplines (Post, Music, Technology, and VFX) under one strategic function. This unified team grew to around 50 specialists across 8 regional offices, supporting content across more than 17 countries. The structure ensured support was delivered in local languages, by experts with deep cultural and industry knowledge, strengthening both operational quality and creative collaboration across the region. By aligning these functions internally, we streamlined communication, increased efficiency, and presented a more consistent and coordinated interface to our external partners—helping productions move faster, smarter, and with greater confidence.
APostLab is an annual MEDIA-supported training program for producers and post supervisors, focusing on budgeting, scheduling, and technical workflows in international co-productions.
After setting up Filmmore Belgium as Managing Director (2011-2015) I moved on to professionalize and grow Filmmore’s VFX department as Head of VFX and Visual Effects Supervisor. Filmmore is the leading post-production and visual effects company in The Benelux, providing services exclusively for feature films and long form TV drama.
Collaborated with directors Paul Verhoeven and Brian De Palma, among others. See my complete filmography of 100+ feature films and TV series: http://www.imdb.me/hansvanhelden