Graduated in Directing from Amsterdam's Film Academy, in 2005. During
his second year there, he directed the feature film Beat with a budget
of only 500 euro's. It was selected for the International Film Festival
Rotterdam, as well being released on DVD and nationwide in theatres.
The following year, he was asked to direct a television film for the
VPRO, resulting in the critically acclaimed Yu-Lan.
After graduating he left for China, returning three years later with
his second feature film Shanghai Trance; a cinematic portrait of
Shanghai that depicts a generation of young Chinese, bedazzled by a
city that is changing faster than they can grow up. The film was
selected for the Tiger Award Competition at the International Film
Festival Rotterdam as well as numerous international festivals. It was
released in China in over 250 cinemas and in late 2008, David made the
front page of the Volkskrant newspaper for being the first Dutch
director to achieve this.
He shot third feature film in Taiwan, a Dutch/French/co-production. "r
u There" is a multi-dimensional experience that comprises 20% Second
Life images. It is an exploration of the virtual world in which the
younger generation is so deeply immersed. The film got selected to Un
Certain Regard in Cannes.