about

House of Schmutz

House of Schmutz offers a much-needed ‘third space’ – a warm, elevated middle ground between academic lectures, the adult industry, and pants-off play parties. In a world starved for authentic touch and tired of screen fatigue, we offer a welcoming space to step out of isolation, embrace the messy beauty of real bodies, and explore desire with curiosity rather than shame.

Audience at a schmutz cinema event, seated at round tables, smiling and enjoying the show in a dimly lit room.

why we exist

House of Schmutz is a cultural foundation bringing people together through curated live events—from film screenings and talk shows to design showcases and live performance.

We celebrate pleasure and intimacy as essential parts of being human. Our public programs build a culture grounded in empathy, self-confidence, consent, and radical connection, giving us better ways to love ourselves and each other.

A woman giving a presentation on female and male genital anatomy, with a diagram showing parts of the clitoris and penis on a large screen.

erotic but refined

Modern intimacy is trapped between fast-paced dating apps, standardised porn formats, and performative ideas of gender and sexuality. Pleasure is being monetised and big tech is exploiting our desires. This leaves little room for vulnerability, body diversity, shared connection and lived experience.

House of Schmutz steps into this cultural vacuum. We create playful, experimental, and ethically wholesome programs that foster the ability to navigate desire, boundaries, and intimacy in the real world. By framing pleasure and sex as culture rather than a commodity, we challenge rigid norms, uplift underrepresented voices, and redefine sex as a deeply felt, shared human experience.

A man wearing glasses, a maroon shirt, and a dark apron stands in front of a large projection screen displaying text about wine and porn. The background of the screen features purple and pink hues.

  • Exposing ourselves to intimate, erotic, or boundary-pushing art can stir up big emotions. That’s completely normal. To make sure you can explore with confidence, we put care into practice every step of the way:

    • A Welcoming, Present Team

      While we don't have a formal security crew, the Schmutz team is always on site. Look for us if you need an informal check-in, a warm face, or a grounded listening ear.

    • The Normalized Exit

      Need a break? Step out whenever you like. Whether you’re grabbing water or processing a scene that touched a nerve, taking care of yourself is our standard. No explanations needed.

    • "Don’t Yuck My Yum"

      Everyone attending commits to our house rules: strict consent, zero kink-shaming, and radical non-judgment. We come together to unlearn shame and celebrate individual desire.

  • For potential collaborators, venues, and sponsors: House of Schmutz operates with structural integrity, transparency, and high artistic standards.

    • Substantial Diversity & Co-Creation

      Representation is not a static checklist for us. We actively decentralise our curation through guest curators and an advisory panel of diverse voices, aspiring to showcase authentic representations across the full spectrum of desire.

    • Ethical Production & Fair Pay

      We adhere strictly to the Fair Practice Code. We guarantee fair compensation for artists, freelancers, and collaborators, and only showcase work created under explicit, documented consent and ethical working conditions.

    • Cultural Sector Governance

      Stichting House of Schmutz fully adheres to the Dutch cultural sector's official codes (Governance Code Cultuur, Code Diversity & Inclusion, and Fair Practice Code), overseen by an independent Supervisory Board.

  • Maxi Meissner — Founder & Director

    Maxi Meissner (she/they) is a pleasure activist, curator, and the driving force behind House of Schmutz. Since 2022, she’s been bringing contemporary porn and erotic cinema out of the dark and straight into Dutch arthouses under her banner Schmutz Cinema. Blending strategic vision with creative activism, Maxi positions the erotic as art and pleasure as our most vital measure of freedom.

    [maximeissner.eu]

    Jennifer Lyon Bell — Chairperson (Voorzitter)

    Jennifer Lyon Bell (she/her) is an award-winning erotic film director, producer, and a pioneer of the international feminist and ethical porn movement. As founder of Amsterdam-based Blue Artichoke Films, she holds degrees in psychology (Harvard) and film studies (UvA). For over two decades, Jennifer has championed films that merge arthouse aesthetics with authentic intimacy and honest communication. As Chairperson, she guides the foundation’s vision, governance, and ethical impact.

    Annabet Langkamp — Treasurer (Penningmeester)

    Annabet Langkamp (she/her) brings decades of film sector expertise to House of Schmutz, having steered financial and operational strategy for cultural powerhouses like IDFA and Kaboom Animation Festival. As Treasurer, she bridges visionary art with fiscal precision, ensuring our programs thrive on a solid, grounded foundation.

    Niko Pachis — Secretary (Secretaris)

    Niko Pachis (he/him) is learning and organisational consultant and brings structure and clarity. As Secretary of House of Schmutz, he manages internal governance, board alignment, and policy, ensuring our core values of inclusion and radical care are woven into the foundation’s operational fabric.

    House of Schmutz would not have been possible without the unwavering support of friends and fans alike. Thank you!

First advisory board session for Foundation House of Schmutz. A group of diverse people smiling in a room, including women, men, and one person in a white chef coat, standing under a ceiling with yellow and green lights.