HAPPENING 30 Jan–9 Feb 2025 | The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is one of the largest and most prestigious film festivals in the Netherlands. IFFR is an audience and industry-driven festival during which hundreds of films are screened.
About International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR)
The International Film Festival Rotterdam has been around since 1972. The film festival focuses mostly on recently released fiction, documentary feature films, short films and media art by talented up and coming filmmakers.
It's amazing how far the festival has come. The very first edition of the film festival attracted a whopping 17 people on opening day. In more recent times, the festival attracts over 300,000 attendees. Nowadays, IFFR touts itself being one of the biggest audience and industry-driven celebrations of cinema worldwide. Visitors to IFFR are treated to an official selection consisting of over 500 masterpieces by hundreds of filmmakers hailing from over 50 nations.
An interesting aspect of IFFR is that it actively works to support filmmakers through various means and collaborations such as funding through the Hubert Bals Fund, coaching by Rotterdam Lab as well as distribution via CineMart, an annual co-production market.
IFFR programme 2025
The 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) takes place from 30 January to 9 February 2025, offering a diverse programme that spotlights bold and independent cinema from around the world.
Opening & Closing Films
The festival opens with Fabula, a Dutch crime comedy by Michiel ten Horn, and closes with This City Is a Battlefield, an Indonesian war drama by Mouly Surya.
Competitions
- Tiger Competition: Showcasing 14 world premieres from emerging filmmakers, with innovative and daring storytelling.
- Big Screen Competition: A bridge between arthouse and mainstream cinema, featuring 14 films appealing to a broad audience.
- Tiger Short Competition: Highlighting experimental and thought-provoking short films from global talents.
Special Programmes
- Cinema Regained: Celebrating film heritage with restored classics and documentaries on cinema culture.
- Ammodo Tiger Short Competition: Dedicated to cutting-edge short films.
- Art Directions: Exploring experimental storytelling through immersive and audiovisual projects.
- Focus Programmes: Deep dives into specific themes, countries, or filmmakers shaping contemporary cinema.
Industry & Networking
IFFR remains a key industry hub, hosting IFFR Pro Days (1-5 February), including CineMart, Rotterdam Lab, and the launch of the Displacement Film Fund, in partnership with Cate Blanchett.
With over 500 films, talks, and events across multiple Rotterdam venues, IFFR 2025 promises an exciting mix of cinematic discovery, industry innovation, and cultural exchange.
For the latest information, you can also keep an eye on the IFFR website.
_large.jpg)
