Matthijs Wouter Knol has been the CEO and Director of the European Film Academy since 2021, leading its vision and programming, including new projects on audience development and film education. With an MA in Contemporary History, his career began as a magazine editor and journalist, transitioning to film production in Amsterdam, where he contributed to 30 award-winning documentaries. Knol co-produced a digital edition of Johan van der Keuken's works, earning the Prix Cahiers du Cinéma in 2006. His Berlinale tenure included roles as Head of Programming for Berlinale Talents and Director of the European Film Market. An advocate for Diversity and Inclusion, Knol co-founded ARTEF and is a multilingual speaker and respected figure in the international film industry.