About Tobias
Tobias van Oosten (1995) is a film maker and researcher. He grew up in Portugal to then later move to Amsterdam to study Cultural Anthropology at the Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam, and the master Cultural Anthropology and Visual Ethnography at Leiden University. His films are personal and anthropological.
Tobias is fascinated by how our physical surroundings shape our lives, influence our perception of reality, and affect the way we inhabit the world. This interest is evident in his film Tijd voor Noord, where he examines how the changing urban landscape of Amsterdam-Noord impacts the lives of its older residents. It also surfaces in his documentary Mijn Oma is Activist, in which he explores how the contrast between city life and the calm of the countryside influences his mental state and his willingness to take action, just like his grandmother.
Professionally, Tobias has acquired rich understanding of qualitative research methods such as interviewing, focus groups, participatory action research. He is also apt in filming, directing and editing. He speaks fluently English, Portuguese, Dutch and Spanish.
Festivals and Awards
2020 Amsterdam Buurt film Festival - Selected - Tijd voor Noord 2023 First-Time Filmmaker Volume 11 - Selected - Tijd voor Noord 2023 Filmmaker Sessions Volume 11 - Selected - Tijd voor Noord 2024 Bridge of Peace Film Festival - Selected - Best Debut Documentary - Mijn Oma is Activist 2024 Portugal Indie Film Festival - Selected - Mijn Oma is Activist 2025 Nederlands Vlaams Film Festival Tegenstroom - Selected - Mijn Oma is Activist