Arab Film Festival Rotterdam | RAFF - location, dates, screenings

The Rotterdam Arab Film Festival, also known as RAFF, takes place from 10 to 14 June 2026. The main public film programme is hosted at LantarenVenster, while the festival’s professional Industry Days and short film programme also use Cultuur&Campus.

This year’s edition focuses on Syria, exploring the country, its diaspora and the lasting impact of conflict, migration and resilience through films, discussions and personal storytelling. RAFF describes the 2026 edition as a programme of feature films, documentaries, shorts, talks and special events that bring contemporary Arab cinema closer to audiences in Rotterdam. 

Syria takes centre stage in the 2026 programme

The 26th edition of RAFF puts Syria at the heart of the festival. The programme looks at identity, exile, memory and survival, while also showing the creativity, humour and cultural memory that can remain alive even in the shadow of war.

The opening night takes place on Wednesday, 10 June at LantarenVenster. Doors open at 19:30, with an official welcome and a live performance by Mira & Dandana Band. Their performance, Syrian Film Memories, revives moments from Syrian cinema through music, film excerpts and dialogue. The opening film is Chronicles from the Siege, the feature debut by Palestinian-Syrian filmmaker Abdallah Al-Khatib, screening at 21:00.

Chronicles from the Siege

Film programme highlights

RAFF 2026 opens with Chronicles from the Siege on 10 June. The wider programme includes titles such as Exile, Shapeshifting, 50 Meters, IRKALLA: Dreams of Gilgamesh, The Voice of Hind Rajab, Palestine 36, All That’s Left of You, Aisha Can’t Fly Away, Cotton Queen, Do You Love Me?, My Father’s Scent and Roqia.

The films span fiction, documentary and shorts, with work from established names and emerging filmmakers. Many screenings are followed or framed by talks, so the festival feels less like a passive film week and more like a meeting place.

RAFF has also announced international guests for the 2026 edition, including Egyptian actress Lebleba, Syrian actors Jamal Suliman, Sulafa Mimar and Dima Kandalaft, Egyptian filmmaker Khaled Youssef, comedy star Ahmed Fathy, Tunisian actor and filmmaker Dhafer L’Abidine, Tunisian theatre and screen actor Lamine Nahdi and actress Nesreen.

Special days, Industry Days and closing night

Friday 12 June is Palestine Film Day, with a dedicated programme centred on Palestinian storytelling, cinema and perspective. Films listed for the day include The Voice of Hind Rajab, One More Show, Palestine 36 and American Doctor.

Saturday 13 June brings Women’s Empowerment Day, a special programme within the festival that places women’s stories, voices and creative work in the foreground. RAFF lists films such as Cotton Queen, Sophia and MIRA as part of the day.

Alongside the public screenings, RAFF also hosts the Rotterdam Euro-Arab Industry Days from 11 to 13 June at Cultuur&Campus. The professional programme includes shorts, pitching sessions, talks, panels and networking moments for filmmakers, guests and film professionals. RAFF states that Industry programme activities are free to attend.

The festival closes on Sunday 14 June with the Award Ceremony & Closing Night with TARAB Choir at LantarenVenster. Doors open at 19:30. The jury will present awards to films and filmmakers, after which the evening continues with a concert by TARAB Choir, led by Maestro Majed Sarai Edin. The closing ceremony will be held in Arabic and English.

Directions to the festival venue

LantarenVenster is located at Otto Reuchlinweg 996, 3072 MD Rotterdam, on the Wilhelminapier in Kop van Zuid. From Rotterdam Centraal, you can take metro lines D or E, or tram lines 3 or 5, and get off at Wilhelminaplein. From there, it is about a five-minute walk.

There are bicycle parking spots around the pier, including near the venue. If you are coming by car, RAFF points visitors to P+R options, Q-Park de Rotterdam, Interparking World Port Center, Q-Park Boston & Seattle and paid street parking nearby. The Wilhelminapier is also served by Watertaxi Rotterdam, with a stop at Hotel New York / Wilhelminapier.

Accessibility

LantarenVenster is accessible for wheelchair users and visitors with physical disabilities. All cinema halls are accessible, and each hall has designated wheelchair spaces in the front row. RAFF advises visitors who need a wheelchair space to contact LantarenVenster in advance at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the screening title, date and time.