Michael Middelkoop is a writer, director, and creative producer from Amsterdam. After studying Film Studies at the University of Amsterdam, Michael began his career in the advertising world. He initially worked as a creative at various agencies before transitioning into directing commercials for brands such as ADIDAS, TELE2, LEGO, and ASICS, earning awards including CCB, Spin Awards, Lovies, Merit, Young Dutch Talent, a Bronze Lion in Cannes (2015), and a Webby Award (2018).

Michael’s debut film, NETFLIX & CHILL, was screened at festivals worldwide in 2017 and earned him a nomination in the Debut Competition of the Netherlands Film Festival. From 2018 to 2022, his acclaimed web series VAKKENVULLERS (MEET THE STOCKERS) broke viewership records on YouTube and was sold to several countries in Europe, most notably becoming an Amazon Prime Original in Germany.

In 2019, he directed SNOR, a short film that had its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and its North American premiere at the Palm Springs International ShortFest.

In 2020, he directed the TV film CRONOS (winner at HollyShorts 2021) for Dutch broadcaster BNNVARA, followed in 2022 by the critically acclaimed series ZINA for KRO-NCRV, which earned him a nomination for Best Series at the 2022 Rockie Awards during the Banff World Media Festival.

In 2024, as part of Koolhoven Presenteert, he directed the thriller TRAUMA PORN CLUB, which premiered at the 2024 International Film Festival Rotterdam. A major highlight that same year was winning the Golden Calf for Best Direction for the film DIT IS GEEN KERSTFILM, which premiered at the Netherlands Film Festival 2024.

In 2025, his film STREETCOACHES VS ALIENS, produced for INDEPENDENT FILMS and AMAZON PRIME, was released.