She lived in Deurne, a suburb of Antwerp. Amateur moviemaking was her lifelong love and she was involved with one of the most active moviemaker clubs in Antwerp.

Her husband Willy Verlinden worked as a chemist in Agfa-Gavaert in Antwerp and they shared an interest in amateur movie making. They both travelled through Europe with their two children, a 16mm movie camera and tripod. Willy Verlinden was chairman of the moviemakers club in Antwerp for a long time, and Miette was a chronicler of the club. They also shared a love of fine art and both studied at the Art Academy after their retirement: he in sculpture and she painting and creating glass mosaics.

After Willy's death she took over his activities completely in the world amateur moviemakers' organisation UNICA. When her period on its council was over they made her a deputy officer for amateur movie contest patronages rather than let her go. In that role and as a respected jury member, she became a much-loved regular attender at festivals all over Europe.

Miette is pictured here with her long-standing friend, Percy Childs. Here both in their 80's attending a festival in Britain and apparently as tireless as ever.

Miette's twinkling eyes, ready wit, fund of anecdotes, skill in several languages and enthusiasm for film made her popular with movie-makers and organisers alike.

Page updated on 21 March 2008

Authors' views are not necessarily those of The Institute of Amateur Cinematographers

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