EXCLUSIVE: ACE Producers has appointed Inke Van Loocke as director and Adrien Barrouillet as senior studies manager, in a new leadership structure for the European producers organisation.
The duo replace Jacobine van der Vloed, who is leaving her dual role as director and head of studies after nine years.
Beginning at the start of 2026, Van Loocke will lead ACE’s Amsterdam-based international team, on the organisation’s remit of executive training for independent producers in Europe.
She spent almost two decades at International Film Festival Rotterdam, including as head of the festival’s industry offering; and previously leading the CineMart co-production market and Rotterdam Lab workshop.
Van Loocke will be joined by Barrouillet, who will lead on ACE’s training programmes. Barrouillet founded French production company Furyo Films, through which he produced titles including In The Land Of Brothers, which won the directing award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at Sundance last year.
During her tenure van der Vloed implemented the ACE move from Paris to the Netherlands in 2017. She has also revitalised the organisation’s membership, with a 40% growth in the ACE Network and 200% rise in applications during her time.
New programmes launched in this period include the ACE Series Special, ACE Animation Special and ACE Leadership Special, which have jointly trained over 240 producers.
The ACE Springboard programme was also set up to mentor and train emerging professionals.
“Jacobine has played a pivotal role in the development of ACE,” said Marleen Slot, ACE Producers president. “Under her leadership we have grown in strength and professionalism and she has laid a solid foundation for the years ahead. We are deeply grateful for her vision, commitment, and the way she has shaped the organisation.”
“Inke comes to us with a wealth of experience in talent and project development at IFFR as well as a wide international network and broad industry knowledge,” said Slot. “She and Adrien bring complementary strengths which align perfectly with ACE’s next phase, expanding the relevance of its programmes, deepening international partnerships and strengthening our producer network.”
“ACE Producers embodies the kind of filmmaking culture that I value most: one that is grounded in artistic ambition, collaboration, and an unwavering belief in independent voices,” said Van Loocke.
“I am delighted to be leaving the wonderful ACE organisation in such good health,” said van der Vloed. “It’s been the most amazing job, but I’ve been thinking for a while about what I want to do next. In the short term my next steps are going to be physical ones, as I plan to take some time off and do some hiking!”
ACE Producers was founded in 1993 to offer entrepreneurial training to independent producers in Europe. It currently has over 280 active members from more than 52 countries. In recent years its members have produced or co-produced titles including Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just An Accident, Justine Triet’s Anatomy Of A Fall and Ruben Ostlund’s Triangle Of Sadness – all Palme d’Or winners at Cannes.
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