Arab cinema returns to Rotterdam for 25th edition of Arab Film Festival
From 28 May to 1 June, the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival will mark its 25th anniversary with a diverse programme spanning film, music, and spoken word. The annual festival, based in the heart of Rotterdam, will feature dozens of films from the Arab world, from historical classics to contemporary debuts.
Opening night: homage to Umm Kulthum
The festival’s opening ceremony will be held at De Doelen on 28 May and includes a performance titled The Phonograph Changed Me. This musical tribute to Umm Kulthum—one of the Arab world’s most influential singers—will be presented by the Marmoucha Orchestra and soprano Mireille Bitar. The show will blend storytelling, visuals, and live electronics. The event is organised in collaboration with the O. Festival for Opera. Music. Theatre. Umm Kulthum was a famous and beloved singer from Egypt. She passed away in 1975, marking 50 years since her death this year.
The next edition of Arab Film Festival will pay tribute to a prominent figure in the Arab world: Umm Kulthum
LantarenVenster becomes the festival’s cinematic heart
Film screenings will be hosted primarily at LantarenVenster, with a line-up reflecting a wide spectrum of narratives, countries and genres. The selection includes newly released features such as:
-
Winners (Germany, 2024), about an eleven-year-old Kurdish girl adjusting to life in Germany after fleeing Syria with her family.
-
Perfumed with Mint (Egypt, Qatar, Tunisia, France, 2024), a fictional debut blending dreamlike and real-world elements.
-
Aïda (Egypt, 1942), a classic musical drama starring legendary singer Umm Kulthum.
-
Yunan (Germany, Canada, Italy, Palestine, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, 2025), a story of exile and psychological isolation.
-
Red Path (Tunisia, France, Belgium, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, 2024), a poetic film portraying the trauma of a wounded teenager.
Other titles such as Flavors of Iraq, The Life That Remains, Salma, and Moondove further illustrate the thematic and regional diversity of the selection, touching on topics ranging from migration and identity to memory and generational change.
View the entire Arab Film Festival program on the Arab Film Festival website.
John Farah in concert
Palestinian-Canadian pianist and composer John Farah will give a solo concert on 1 June at 13:45 in LantarenVenster. Known for combining electronic music with Middle Eastern and baroque influences, Farah’s style has been described as “Baroque–Middle-Eastern–Cyberpunk.” His concert promises a blend of improvisation, history, and experimental sound.
Festival closure with TARAB Koor
The closing event on 1 June at 19:30 will feature a live performance by TARAB Koor. The ensemble will interpret classical Arabic music in an intimate closing ceremony. The programme is intended to reflect on the themes of the festival and bring the five-day event to a reflective conclusion.
Arab Film Festival Rotterdam
Directions to the festival venues
De Doelen
De Doelen is centrally located near Rotterdam Centraal Station, making it easily accessible by train, tram, and metro. The surrounding area is part of the city’s cultural core and includes various eateries and shops.
LantarenVenster
LantarenVenster is situated in the Kop van Zuid neighbourhood, near Hotel New York and the Erasmus Bridge. It can be reached by metro (Wilhelminaplein station), tram, and water taxi.
_large.jpg)
