If you have ever walked into one of the Open Hearts Space projects, you have likely encountered Claire Hoofwijk, a filmmaker based in Berlin. Originally hailing from the Netherlands, Claire has established a notable career in the international audiovisual media industry. Just yesterday, she concluded a workshop at Give Something Back to Berlin, where she taught participants how to create compelling music videos using only their mobile phones. As a dedicated volunteer with GSBTB for over three years, Claire has made significant contributions to the community.
She began her career as an actress but soon realised that she preferred working behind the camera. After completing acting school, Claire transitioned into directing, starting her journey by creating music videos for a local Utrecht band named “de Baron.” “What I find interesting is that when working on a music video, you have to connect with the band. You need to organise things perfectly because you need to understand both what you want and what the band needs,” Claire explains.
Eventually, Claire transitioned her focus into documentary filmmaking, drawn by the allure of telling more personal stories. She embraced this new path, believing that “documentaries give you more freedom and more room for experimenting”. Her favourite subject is the everyday lives and struggles of ordinary people. “I mostly get inspired by the little stories, the ones that feel personal. Most of the time in my documentaries, it’s just people telling their story,” says Claire.
Her debut, “Behind the Scenes,” delved into the inner workings of a food bank. However, shortly thereafter, Claire shifted her focus to more intimate narratives and personal reflections. It was during this period that she produced works like “Laurine,” an exploration of a young woman navigating unchosen isolation—a universal experience, including Claire’s own. This creative evolution coincided with her introduction to Give Something Back to Berlin.
“Volunteering has always been a part of my life, even back in the Netherlands. So, when I moved to Berlin, I knew I wanted to continue giving back to the community and find a new sense of belonging in a city where I didn’t know anyone. The moment I stumbled upon GSBTB, I felt an instant connection and knew I wanted to volunteer at the Open Art Space. Three years later, it has become a very important aspect of my life. It’s a place where I’ve had the opportunity to meet a diverse array of creative individuals who continually inspire me.”
Interacting with diverse individuals ignites Claire’s creative spark and deepens her fascination with various realities. “Diverse cultural, geographical, and political backgrounds add another dimension to that. When I engage with members of the GSBTB community and hear their perspectives on Berlin, it’s incredibly intriguing because their experiences often diverge from my own.”
Back in the Netherlands, she assisted refugees who hadn’t received their permits in finding housing or accommodations. However, she often felt she was helping without truly grasping the full extent of their experiences. At Give Something Back to Berlin, this disconnect disappeared, as the assistance and exchange were reciprocal.
“There’s no such thing as an ‘objective reality.’ And I like that; it’s not the similarities that truly interest me. I appreciate the individuality in how we perceive the world. The notion that you can never fully see the world as someone else does, but you can make an effort to understand, to learn about a different reality, a different story. Step into another reality for a moment and experience what it feels like.”
The aim of the filmmaking workshop she just taught at GSBTB was to empower people with the skills to shoot and edit a music video using just a mobile phone and some editing tools. In the Open Art Space, Claire found herself in a familiarly inclusive environment, where each lab is accessible to everyone and equipped with all the necessary tools.
“I find that art nowadays is incredibly accessible, which is fascinating because it’s often perceived as an elitist field. Everyone owns a phone now, and everyone can create a movie. I think it’s wonderful that if you have the tools and a plan, you can have a lot of fun with it. You don’t even need the highest quality camera. Many movies have been shot entirely with a phone’s camera. When I began making music videos, we often had no budget, so we made do with what we had. If you have creativity, that’s all you need.”
The workshops exemplified this. Everyone had the opportunity to present their ideas, with Claire guiding them through the process of organisation and refinement. It was yet another testament to the power of nurturing creativity and collaboration, showcasing how they can lead to remarkable outcomes.