For twelve enchanting nights, from August 16th to 27th, Rotterdam welcomes back the Roffa Mon Amour film festival. This open-air festival, taking place in the Brutus sculpture garden (Beeldentuin Brutus) in Rotterdam West, Keilestraat 10, is set to celebrate cinematic talent from around the globe​.

Diving into a world of cinema

Roffa Mon Amour, founded in 2012 by Charlotte van Zanten and Lisa Smith, presents a selection of bold, vibrant films from emerging and established filmmakers​. Attendees can expect to engage in live Cinema Concerts, film introductions, and Q&A sessions. Additionally, a unique initiative called the “New Jury” is set to take place, giving Rotterdam film lovers the chance to decide which filmmaker will receive the “New Amour Award”​.

When the stars align

The films start when darkness falls, between 21.15 and 21.30, depending on the programme. All films will be available with English subtitles, ensuring a truly international experience for all attendees​.

Accommodations and facilities

In line with the government's regulations, the event is slated to end by 11pm each night. During the event, attendees will be able to order drinks at a bar that opens at 8pm, although they are asked not to bring their own drinks to the venue. Additionally, while popcorn will be available, the festival encourages attendees to explore local eateries around the festival, such as Keilecafe, Weelde, Restaurant Bitter, EAUX POSSE, and Shaami Huis​.

A festival for all

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​.

How to reach the venue

Brutus, the sculpture garden located in Rotterdam West, Keilestraat 10, is the host for this year's festival. The area is known for its artistic and cultural vibrancy, adding to the unique charm of the event. Attendees are advised to plan their journey in advance to ensure a smooth arrival.

These are the key highlights of Rotterdam Pride Week:

The Official Kick-Off

The next edition of North Sea Round Town takes place from 22 June to 9 July 2023. The heart of Rotterdam will pulse with music with the official fringe festival of NN North Sea Jazz, marking its beginning with the public access festival inJazz. The festival will present more than 350 concert programmes across 125-plus venues until 9 July, culminating in a lively culmination, the Stoelendans with live music.

The North Sea Round Town is introducing a new feature this edition - the North Sea Round Town passe-partout. With this pass, you can visit unique concerts during the opening weekend, and with the North Sea Round Town Plus passe-partout, you can additionally board The Jazzschip.

Event schedule in 2023

Here are a couple of special events taking place during this year's edition of North Sea Round Town. For a full schedule, have a look at the North Sea Round Town website.

Opening concert YOURAN at De Kaai
North Sea Round Town kicks off on 22 June with YOURAN: an exclusive concert under the direction of clarinettist/saxophonist Joachim Badenhorst at De Kaai, a new creative hotspot on the banks of the Maas. This concert will mark the opening of creative experiments at this former margarine factory, with musicians from all over Europe coming together for the first time for this project. In a world where everything is transient and snappy, this will be a moment to relax and immerse yourself in acoustic and electronic sounds.

Sanem Kalfa: Invisible Columns
On 23 June, vocalist Sanem Kalfa (Artist in Focus 2023) and North Sea Round Town will premiere Invisible Columns at the Van Nelle Fabriek. Through music, dance, and visual art, Kalfa tells a personal story, with samples and soundscapes by mastermind Jan Bang (NO), piano and Hammond sounds by Kit Downes (GB/DE), and poetic storytelling by trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire (US, Blue Note Records), who is coming to Rotterdam specifically for this project. The dance is performed by Alice de Maio (Rotterdam/Italy), and texts by Kalfa's mentor and guide Gozde Turkmen can be heard.

Midnight Mess
Midnight Mess, the dream project of guitarist Teis Semey (Artist in Focus 2022), blends Scandinavian folk music, indie, and jazz improvisation. The album presentation is on 24 June in the Oude Kerk in Charlois.

InJazz and The Jazzschip
On 22 and 23 June, jazz enthusiasts can discover the latest in contemporary jazz at the free showcase festival inJazz. Following this, on 24 June, audiences will step aboard The Jazzschip again and set sail under the accompaniment of live music to a hidden location along the Maas where the audience will be treated to a unique concert.

More adventurous music tours
From 30 June to 2 July, the second weekend of North Sea Round Town, the Dudok Jazz Tour takes place, featuring live jazz from Tallulah Rose Trio among others. On 2 July, embark on a bicycle tour to explore surprising urban locations which are once-off the stage for contemporary jazz, including a concert by Artist in Focus Sanem Kalfa and George Dumitriu.

Music on the streets
During North Sea Round Town, there is ample music in public spaces, and the festival spreads throughout the city. Performances by local talents will be held at the NSRT Central Station Stage during the first two weekends of July. Boy Edgarprijs winner Ronald Snijders is a guest at the neighbourhood concerts this year. From 7 to 9 July, the music caravan NSRT x RET: Metro Melodies will accompany the public in the metro towards Zuidplein to ensure that visitors of NN North Sea Jazz Festival arrive in the right mood at Ahoy.

City tours to look out for in 2023

North Sea Round Town grants an opportunity to explore Rotterdam through a musical lens. The festival offers several tour routes that participants can follow via cycling, public transportation, or on foot to various neighbourhood concerts.

1. Jazz on the river Maas
On 24 June, the Jazzschip sails out, offering a musical journey through the Rotterdam port. During the trip, the city's picturesque view can be enjoyed along with performances by Nabou Claerhout, Reinier Baas and Jamie Peet, Kit Downes and Fuensanta, and KOFFIE, a jazzy afrobeat-band.

2. Discovering secrets on wheels
On 2 July, Jazzfietsen offers a cycle tour to explore the hidden gems of Dutch jazz. Starting from LantarenVenster, participants cycle towards Arboretum Trompenburg to enjoy a concert by Yanna Pelser and her trio. The tour is concluded with a surprise act at Skateland.

3. A fusion of culinary and musical
The Dudok Jazz Tour, running from 30 June through 2 July, combines gastronomy and live music at three Dudok locations. Performances include Marta Arpini, Lilian Vieira, and Marcelo Godoy Trio.

4. Exploring the city's art scene
The Gallery Tour immerses visitors in contemporary art at various galleries, accompanied by live music. The tour features the Rabo Kunstcollectie at Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, Frank Taal Galerie, Huidenclub, Roof-A, BRUTUS, and Neck of the Woods.

5. A musical walk to the South
On 22 June, participants can enjoy the two-day showcase festival inJazz, featuring numerous Dutch jazz artists at LantarenVenster, Nederlandse Fotovakschool and MOOD. The day concludes with YOURAN, an improvisation concert under the leadership of Joachim Badenhorst at De Kaai.

6. Public transportation music immersion
From 30 June to 9 July, live music will be enjoyed in public transportation. Bands will perform at NSRT’s Central Station Stage, and metro riders will experience live music en route to Ahoy.

7. Neighbourhood concerts and outdoor festivals
From 20 June to 15 July, accessible neighbourhood concerts will be held at various locations, including performances by Boy Edgarprijs winner Ronald Snijders. The festival ends on 15 July with the Stoelendans on live music, marking the start of summer holiday.

The Arab Film Festival has arranged a special showcase titled 'Arab Women Film Days' which will run on 26th and 27th May. The event is designed as an introduction to the main festival scheduled for September and will exhibit three distinctive films, including an award-winning Jordanian drama, 'Daughters of Abdul-Rahman'.

Details of the Arab Women Film Days

Organisers of the Arab Film Festival have planned the Arab Women Film Days as a prelude to the main event which will take place from 5th to 10th September 2023. This year, the festival is shining a spotlight on women in Arab cinema. Three different films will be presented at LantarenVenster in Rotterdam, followed by discussions and a publication, collectively illuminating the position of women in contemporary Arab cinema.

The films featured

Three films will be exhibited during Arab Women Film Days. 'Daughters of Abdelrahman', directed by Zaid Abu Hamdan, explores the narrative of four diverse sisters who reconnect while searching for their missing father in patriarchal Jordan. The film is based on the director's mother's life, who was unable to achieve her dreams.

Another film, 'Curfew' by the Egyptian Amir Ramses, is a touching drama focusing on a mother and daughter revealing hidden emotions and family secrets during a quarantine in Egypt.

Finally, 'The Women in Block J', by Moroccan filmmaker Mohamed Nadif, pays tribute to women from various social backgrounds who bond through the shared experience of mental illness and offer each other unique support.

The themes of the Arab Film Festival 2023

Arab Women Film Days will be carried forward into the main Arab Film Festival in September, where two additional themes will be explored. One theme will offer a diverse film programme on Iraq, providing an updated perspective of the country 20 years post-invasion. The second theme honours the centenary of Sayed Darwish (1892-1923), a pivotal figure in modern Arabic music. Special compositions inspired by Darwish's work will be performed by the Doelen Ensemble during the opening.

About the Arab Film Festival

The Arab Film Festival is scheduled to take place from 5th to 10th September 2023 in Rotterdam, hosted in three locations: LantarenVenster, Pathé Schouwburgplein, and Verhalenhuis Belvédère. The festival, in collaboration with partners from the MENA region, handpicks films each year that challenge stereotypes and represent key works from Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq.

Programme for Arab Women Film Days

The Arab Women Film Days' schedule is as follows:

Friday, 26th May: 'Curfew' at 19:30 and 'The Women in Block J' at 21:30, with the director Mohamed Nadif in attendance.

Saturday, 27th May: 'Daughters of Abdul Rahman' at 19:15.

A short discussion will follow all screenings.

Directions to LantarenVenster

LantarenVenster is located at Otto Reuchlinweg 996, 3072 MD Rotterdam, Netherlands. It's situated in a vibrant area of the city, easily accessible by public transport and with ample parking. The area is buzzing with cultural venues, restaurants, and the famous Erasmus Bridge just a stone's throw away.