Today we’d like to introduce you to Maarten Cornelis.
Hi Maarten, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Belgium, and from a very young age, the stage felt like home. My early years in performance led me to study at De Kunsthumaniora in Antwerp, where I honed my craft in acting, dance, and creative expression. Over time, I gravitated not only toward performing, but toward the behind-the-scenes work that brings productions to life: lighting, directing, producing.
In my teens and early career, I took roles in music, choreography, and television, which allowed me to connect with audiences and collaborators, and also to see the many moving parts required in entertainment. Over the years I began building Gatehouse Entertainment, my production company, which now spans theater, film, live events, and more. Gatehouse’s first major film, Dinner For Two, earned 25+ awards globally.
I also co-founded Cinematory, which manages nine film festivals across North America, providing platforms for emerging filmmakers and nurturing creative communities.
In television, I serve as the series runner for The Promoter and Captain Jam, overseeing creative direction, coordination, and production strategy.
On the documentary side, I am directing and producing an upcoming feature documentary titled Drag Repair — now in post-production after four years of work. Drag Repair tells the story of the unsung crew behind drag events, especially connected to the Invasion of the Pines, and is scheduled for release in 2026.
Today, I balance many hats: performance, production, directing, lighting, storytelling. What unites them all is my passion for creating layered narratives, building bridges between artists and audiences, and using all the tools at my disposal to elevate voices that deserve to be seen. That path — from childhood on stage to building a multi-disciplinary entertainment enterprise — is exactly what has brought me to where I am now.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road — and I don’t think it ever really is when you’re building something meaningful.
One of my biggest challenges has been learning to balance all the different hats I wear. On any given day, I might be acting, producing, directing, handling lighting design, or strategizing for my company. Each role has its own mindset — creative, technical, and managerial — and switching between them takes discipline and focus. Early on, I struggled with giving enough attention to each area without burning out.
Another major learning curve was understanding the business side of what we do. So many people think entertainment is just art, but it’s also a business that needs to run sustainably. I had to teach myself how to handle budgets, contracts, marketing, distribution, and deal-making — all while staying true to my creative vision. There were moments when it felt overwhelming, but I realized that if I wanted my projects to have impact and longevity, I couldn’t ignore the business side.
What I’ve learned is that art and business don’t have to be in conflict — they can empower each other. The business side gives the art a platform and the resources it needs to reach an audience. And the art is what makes the business worth running. Finding that balance has been one of my biggest challenges — but also one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
We’ve been impressed with Cinematory, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Cinematory is more than just a film-festival company — it’s a creative infrastructure and bridge between artists, audiences, and industry. What sets us apart is how we combine curatorial vision, production strength, and a deep respect for performance as craft.
What We Do & What We’re Known For
We conceive, produce, and manage film festivals, showcases, and programming that spotlight underrepresented voices, experimental work, and narrative boldness.
One of our flagship collaborations is with The Lee Strasberg Film Festival, where Cinematory is the producing partner (together with Gatehouse Entertainment and Velvet Room) behind the event.
The Lee Strasberg Film Festival is built on the legacy of Method Acting, emphasizing actor performance, authenticity, and deep character work. Cinematory helps shape every detail — from film selection, jury curation, panels, to community outreach — to align with that mission.
In recent years, the Lee Strasberg Festival shifted from its New York roots to a full Los Angeles presence, aiming to expand the reach and connect The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute’s community with a broader film ecosystem.
What Sets Us Apart & What I’m Proud Of
Integration of art + business: Many festivals are purely curatorial or community driven. Cinematory adds production capacity, financial discipline, marketing, and partnerships, so the creative vision doesn’t just exist — it reaches people and is sustainable.
Depth of curation tied to performance: Because we lean into the Lee Strasberg Institute’s emphasis on the actor’s craft, we bring a sensitivity to casting, performance, and character-driven films that many general festivals don’t prioritize.
Adaptive, platform-building mindset: We don’t just host events — we build platforms. Whether it’s panels, networking, cross-festival collaboration, or strategic partnerships, Cinematory works so that filmmakers and actors grow from one edition to the next.
I’m especially proud of how the Lee Strasberg Festival under Cinematory’s stewardship has grown in prestige and reach, even re-locating from New York to Los Angeles to amplify its impact.
What I Want VoyageLA Readers to Know
If you’re a filmmaker, actor, or storyteller who cares about performance, character, and narrative depth — we’re a home and platform for your work.
Our services extend beyond festivals: we co-produce, consult on programming, help with festival strategy, and foster community networks.
Joining a Cinematory event isn’t just submitting a film — it’s gaining access to a curated, intentional experience, thoughtful exposure, and meaningful connections in an industry that often overlooks process and nuance.
At its core, Cinematory is where performance, story, and structure meet — where the art is respected, and the machinery is built so that it can thrive.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Before we wrap, I’d love to invite your readers into what’s next for us — and why I’m so energized about what’s ahead.
The next edition of The Lee Strasberg Film Festival will take place November 7–9, 2025 in West Hollywood / Los Angeles.
We’re proud to host a rich program of screenings, seminars, panels, Q&A sessions, and networking events — built to celebrate exceptional acting, storytelling, and independent cinema.
One of the most exciting things for this year is our festival jury: it includes a distinguished group of professionals whose work spans acting, producing, and directing. Some names to watch: Michael Imperioli, Alanna Ubach, Hyejin “Grace” Park, Brittany Alexia Young, Heather Mattarazo and Vella Lovell among others.
Their participation signals how seriously we take honoring performance and artistic integrity.
What I want VoyageLA’s readers to feel is this:
This is a festival with depth. We aren’t just showing films — we are interrogating character, process, authenticity, the actor’s application of craft.
Community and opportunity live here. If you’re a filmmaker, actor, writer — participating in The Lee Strasberg Film Festival isn’t just exposure; it’s a chance to learn, be seen, connect, and grow with a community of artists.
We believe in honoring legacy while cultivating new voices. The festival’s move to L.A. has broadened our reach and made this heritage brand more accessible to West Coast storytellers.
I’m proud of where we are — and even more excited about where we’re going. The 2025 Lee Strasberg Film Festival edition will be one of our boldest yet, and I can’t wait to see the stories, the performances, and the new relationships that emerge from it.
Pricing:
- Tickets to the event will be available for $10 on our website
- https://www.leestrasbergfilmfestival.com/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leestrasbergfilmfestival.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leestrasbergfilmfestival/
Image Credits
1st image = David Strasberg, Maarten Cornelis and Sheldon Larry opening speech at festival
2nd image = Audience at screening LSFF
3rd image = Audience LSFF
4th image = Maarten Cornelis and Rachel Bailit
5th image = Maarten Cornelis at award show LSFF
6th image = Red carpet at LSFF
7th image = Maarten Hosting another festival Doc-Boston
