HAPPENING 12–23 AUG 2026 | Roffa Mon Amour returns to Rotterdam this summer for its 14th edition, bringing twelve evenings of open-air cinema to the Brutus sculpture garden in Rotterdam West. From Wednesday 12 August to Sunday 23 August, you can expect films after dark, talks, live music, workshops, dinners and the kind of moonlit cinema experience that has made the festival one of the city’s most atmospheric August rituals.
Founded in 2012 by Charlotte van Zanten and Lisa Smith, Roffa Mon Amour has grown into a Rotterdam platform for daring cinema from new and established filmmakers. The festival still feels intimate, but the programme is broad: first and second features, cult favourites, documentaries, queer cinema, music films and special evenings built around conversation and community. Roffa Mon Amour extends a warm welcome to all film lovers, including the four-legged ones. As a festival that aims to engage and inspire, it's an inclusive event that embraces diversity in cinema and its audience alike.
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Mind Work is the theme for 2026
For 2026, Roffa Mon Amour introduces a central theme: Mind Work. The programme looks at how we think, feel, connect and care for ourselves in a world shaped by endless feeds, distraction, AI and a growing conversation around mental health. It is a fitting theme for a festival that has always asked you to do more than simply watch a film. Here, cinema is a meeting place.
Opening night: Isabel
The festival opens on Wednesday 12 August with Isabel, the Dutch premiere of Gabe Klinger’s 2026 film. The story follows a sommelier in São Paulo who leaves a toxic boss behind and tries to open her own wine bar. Roffa Mon Amour is framing the night as a red-carpet celebration with Brazilian wines and cinema.
Doors open at 20:00. The opening-night programme is listed around 21:15, with tickets at €15.50 including a drink.
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The 2026 programme
The main festival programme at Brutus currently includes:
Wednesday 12 August: Opening Night: Isabel
Thursday 13 August: Queer Opening: Jim Queen
Friday 14 August: Califórnia
Saturday 15 August: Fucktoys
Sunday 16 August: What Will I Become?
Monday 17 August: Taste of Cherry
Tuesday 18 August: Do You Love Me
Wednesday 19 August: Dinner: The Habit of Joy and Take Me Home
Thursday 20 August: My Semba
Friday 21 August: The Best Summer
Saturday 22 August: Mysterious Skin
Sunday 23 August: CineHealing and White Bird in a Blizzard
The festival also has a related +event before the main run: Roffa Mon Amour + Oase: Party Girl on Saturday 1 August.
New in 2026: The New Jury
This year, the festival introduces The New Jury. A team of young local film lovers will watch the selected films, attend workshops and ultimately decide which filmmaker takes home the prestigious New Amour Award. It is a fantastic way to give Rotterdam's youth a real voice in the cinematic landscape.
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Tickets, subtitles and practical details
Most regular screenings are priced at €12.50, with reduced tickets for Rotterdampas, Cineville and students. The opening night is €15.50 including a drink, while the dinner evening on 19 August is €30 including film, dinner and drink.
Films begin when the sky is dark, usually around 21:15 or 21:30 depending on the evening. Doors generally open at 20:00, except for the dinner event, which starts earlier. All films are available with English subtitles. In line with the Mind Work theme, the festival provides detailed content notes for each film on their official website, ensuring you are aware of any sensitive or triggering themes before you book.
Rain does not usually stop the festival, so bring a coat if the weather looks uncertain. Screenings are only changed in cases of extreme or dangerous weather. Drinks, popcorn and sweets are sold on site. Keep in mind that due to government regulations, the bar closes at 23:00. Outside drinks are not allowed, but if you want a bite beforehand, the festival recommends local spots like Keilecafe, Injera Habesha and Shaami Huis. Dogs are welcome, and the flat garden floor makes the festival suitable for wheelchair users.
How to get there
Roffa Mon Amour takes place at Brutus Garden, Keileweg 18, 3029 BS Rotterdam. The wider Brutus complex is in Rotterdam West, close to the Merwe-Vierhavens area. Plan your route in advance, especially because the films start after dark and the surrounding area is still more industrial than polished.
