AFFR Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam - dates, locations

AFFR Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam - dates, locations

HAPPENING 9–13 October | The AFFR is a must for all lovers of architecture and cinema. For over a decade, Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam has delighted its visitors with cinematic portraits, critical essays as well as hilarious reflections on city and architecture. 
 

Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam 2024

In 2024, the 16th edition of AFFR will take place from 9 to 13 October. The locations for this edition are LantarenVenster and Theater Rotterdam. 

In 2024, AFFR has a new programme organised around thematic sections, and with more feature films than ever before. To help visitors choose from almost 80 prize-winning documentaries, surprising shorts, architects’ portraits and more, we have divided our programme into thematic lines: the topical Stages, the yearly recurring Paths and the AFFR Specials.

Highlights at Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam 2024

One of the standout events this year is The Masters: Chris Oddy, happening on 12th October at 20:00. Chris Oddy, the production designer behind the Oscar-winning "The Zone of Interest," will give an exclusive lecture at LantarenVenster about his work on the film. Following this, there will be a screening of The Zone of Interest at 22:00, a masterpiece that depicts the chilling life of Nazi officer Rudolf Höss, living with his family next to Auschwitz. It offers a profound contrast between the banality of family life and the atrocities of the Holocaust.

Earlier that day, starting at 12:00, The Boijmans Debate & Hanging Without Walls will delve into the renovation of the Slovak National Gallery. This gripping documentary, filled with Kafkaesque elements, features contributions from renowned figures such as Ina Klaassen and Antti Liukku. The debate reflects on the future of Rotterdam’s own beloved Boijmans Museum, making it a must-see for local art lovers.

On 11th October at 17:00, audiences will have the chance to experience the touching Brazilian documentary Samuel and the Light. The film tells the story of a young boy, Samuel, living in the remote village of Ponta Negra. As electricity arrives for the first time in their community, Samuel and his family must come to terms with how much their lives will change. The poetic imagery and raw emotional impact of this documentary make it a festival favourite.

Another highly anticipated film is Bird, screening on 13th October at 19:15. Directed by the award-winning Andrea Arnold, Bird premiered at Cannes and is now making its way to Rotterdam. The film follows the struggles of Bailey, a 12-year-old girl living in a dilapidated squat in North Kent. Her story is a poignant portrait of contemporary youth and the challenges faced by those on the margins of society.

Also noteworthy is E.1027 – Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea, a documentary about the famed architect Eileen Gray. Screening on 10th October at 20:15, this beautifully filmed docu-fiction explores the dramatic life of Gray and her tumultuous relationship with fellow architect Le Corbusier.

To close the festival with a bang, Santos Special: Rotterdam on the Screen will screen on 11th October at 21:00. This special event takes audiences on a cinematic journey through iconic Rotterdam locations, using film clips to celebrate the city's vibrant and diverse culture.


For complete details about the programme, check out the official AFFR website.

About AFFR

The Rotterdam Architecture Film Festival explores the relationship between film, city, and architecture by programming and screening films and organizing introductions and debates. In the past decade, AFFR has grown into a leading international platform for films about architecture, urban development and the built environment. The festival is firmly rooted in Rotterdam's cultural circuit, it enjoys great national fame and it has an enormous international network. AFFR not only brings together a broad audience from Rotterdam, but also city lovers, students, researchers, designers and film-makers from the rest of the world, who will discuss the present, past, and future of the city with each other.

The foundation Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam (AFFR) was founded in 2000. That year, the first architecture film festival was organized. It wasn't just the first in Rotterdam, but the first of its kind in the world. Full editions followed in 2001 and 2003. In 2007 AFFR made a fresh start and in 2009 the festival expanded considerably in both visitor numbers and breadth of programming.

An architecture film is broadly about the meaning of city and architecture. It portrays cities, buildings, and their designers; shows that architecture cannot be understood without its surroundings or explores the role the city plays in our daily lives. In which not infrequently architects and urban planners turn out to be powerless gods and their designs, once realized, acquire very different meanings and functions than anticipated. 
Festival Downtown Rotterdam - location, date, artist line-up

Festival Downtown Rotterdam - location, date, artist line-up

HAPPENING 20–21 September 2024 | Festival Downtown returns to Rotterdam this September, marking its 10th anniversary. The event will take place across multiple locations in the heart of the city, featuring an eclectic line-up of international and local artists.

The festival, which has long been part of Rotterdam’s cultural fabric, offers a two-day programme on 20 and 21 September 2024. The daytime events will be free to attend, while tickets will be required for the evening shows.

Festival Downtown returns to Rotterdam

Festival Downtown, which was awarded 'Best Festival' at the Rotterdam Music Awards in 2023, is set to make its 10th appearance. The event will be held across 10 indoor and outdoor locations within Rotterdam’s inner city, including WORM, Club Centraal, Boomgaardsstraat, and Eendrachtsplein. The festival has adopted the slogan “Free By Day / Cheap By Night,” emphasising its commitment to making the event accessible.

The festival is known for celebrating the cultural diversity of Rotterdam and its role as a hub for new musical movements. This year’s edition will continue to reflect this ethos with performances by artists from the UK, Netherlands, Syria, Belgium, and beyond.

Headliners include international and local talent

Among the festival’s headliners is Sherelle, who was named DJ Mag's Best British DJ in 2021. She will be joined by Syrian musician Omar Souleyman, whose blend of traditional and electronic sounds has earned him international acclaim. Another Taste, a Dutch collective, will also perform, alongside renowned drum and bass producer Flava D, and the experimental UK artist Iglooghost.

Other notable acts include UK-based Ghanaian performer K.O.G Soundsystem, and Samurai Breaks, who was recognised as DJ Mag’s Best Breakthrough Producer in 2021. These artists will be complemented by an extensive line-up of supporting acts, such as Martha Da'Ro, Franky Sticks & Wantinga, and Belgian artist Blck Mamba.

You can find the official festival line-up and ticket information on the Festival Downtown website. 

A reflection of Rotterdam's evolving music scene

Festival Downtown is a reflection of Rotterdam’s pioneering role in the global music scene. Its organisers have consistently focused on presenting new and alternative music, offering a platform for emerging artists. The festival’s motto, “Redefining Rotterdam / Reshaping the Narrative” (Herschrijf de Stad), captures this vision.

Over the years, the festival has hosted early performances from local talents like De Likt, Pink Oculus, and Brintex Collective, many of whom have gone on to make significant contributions to the music scene.

Multiple venues across the city

This year, the festival will take place across a range of iconic locations. WORM, Club Centraal, and Eendrachtsplein will host various performances, while outdoor stages will be set up at Boomgaardsstraat and Westblaak. Each venue will showcase a mix of international and local talent, offering festival-goers a diverse musical experience.

Festival Downtown Rotterdam

Festival Downtown is known and respected for its progressive and above all diverse line-up. Each year, the Festival is looking to grow and aims to do so by booking solid headliners and local heroes and niche artists. Although the Festival is generally aimed at electronic and electronically inspired music, there is a lot of diversity on offer. At Festival Downtown, there's room for singer-songwriters, non-western artists, progressive hip-hop as well as electronic punk and the thickest heavy bass from the UK.

For an inside look at how it all got started, have a look at our 2019 interview with Festival Downtown founder Immanuel Spoor.

What to expect at Festival Downtown Rotterdam



 

How to get to the event

Location and directions:
The festival's venues are spread across central Rotterdam, easily accessible by public transport, cycling, or walking. WORM is located near Eendrachtsplein metro station, while Club Centraal and Cannibale Royale are a short walk from the area’s numerous tram and bus stops. Visitors are encouraged to explore the festival's various stages and immerse themselves in Rotterdam’s vibrant atmosphere.

 

Camera Japan film & culture festival Rotterdam - information

Camera Japan film & culture festival Rotterdam - information

HAPPENING 26–29 September 2024 | Camera Japan is the largest festival for Japanese film and culture in the Benelux. See films, enjoy performances, participate in workshops, purchase Japanese products and get swept away by beautiful Japanese music.

What to expect at Camera Japan in Rotterdam?

Rotterdam is gearing up for the 19th edition of the CAMERA JAPAN Festival, a much-anticipated event for lovers of Japanese cinema and culture. Scheduled to take place from 26 to 29 September, the festival promises to be a treat for attendees with a rich line-up of Japanese films, including European and international premieres.

What to expect? 
The CAMERA JAPAN Festival has always been a celebration of Japanese cinema, and this year is no exception. Attendees can look forward to:

  • Film Screenings: A diverse range of Japanese films will be showcased, including some that are making their European and even international debut at the festival.

  • Special Screenings and Q&A's: Engage with the minds behind the films with special screenings followed by Q&A sessions with directors. It's a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the world of Japanese cinema.

  • Side Programme: Beyond the films, the festival offers a rich side programme. Attendees can participate in workshops, experience interventions, and explore a market brimming with Japanese foods and goods.

 

Camera Japan programme 2024

For those eager to plan their festival experience, check out the complete programme or download the official timetable as PDF. Be sure to check it out and plan your visit accordingly. For this and additional details or inspiration, visit the official CAMERA JAPAN website.

Location: LantarenVenster

LantarenVenster, the iconic building located at Otto Reuchlinweg 996, 3072 MD Rotterdam on the Wilhelminapier, will once again host the CAMERA JAPAN Festival. With several screening rooms, LantarenVenster is the perfect venue to showcase over 50 Japanese films, ensuring that attendees have a wide variety of cinematic experiences to choose from.

Magical forest light show De Grote Schijn in Rotterdam

Magical forest light show De Grote Schijn in Rotterdam

HAPPENING 24 October–10 November 2024 | The mesmerising display of nature and technology, De Grote Schijn, is returning to Rotterdam's Kralingse Bos for the autumn break. A sublime fusion of nature, music, and technology, the 2 km evening walk offers an immersive experience to its visitors. 

De Grote Schijn (The Great Shine) is a special evening walk for young and old. Nature plays the leading role in a special audiovisual spectacle and the forest and park are used as a natural backdrop, where visitors experience a light show that creates amazement. Supposedly, it is as if the forest has been put under a magic spell; trees seem to come alive, mushrooms have been plucked from a fairy tale and are given a luminous glow while a new surprise awaits behind every bush.
 
A unique audiovisual spectacle brings an innovative story without words, with innovative gadgets and luminous emotions. Through light, sound and scents, eyes, ears and noses go on an adventure. There are no fairy creatures or evil wizards who spread their magic and bring the forest to life, everything comes from a strong piece of technology.

Pop-up choir and call for 1000 participants

This autumn, the Kralingse Bos will once again host De Grote Schijn, a popular event now celebrating its fifth edition from 24 October to 10 November. This year's special anniversary edition will include several new elements introduced by director Christophe Van Hostauijen and producer Piet Winten. Among them is the debut of a live pop-up choir, consisting of 100 singers, that will accompany visitors during their two-kilometre illuminated evening walk through the park.

Under the direction of conductor Hans Primusz, the choir will be strategically positioned throughout the forest to enhance the immersive experience with live music. The sound will interact with the light and colour installations, creating a multi-sensory environment. “The vibrations of the voices are transformed into light and colour in real time, allowing the entire environment to respond to the sounds the choir produces,” Primusz explains. “We need around 1,000 singers in total and are still looking for enthusiastic participants. Anyone who loves to sing and wants to be a part of De Grote Schijn is welcome to join.”

Interested individuals can find more information about joining the pop-up choir by contacting Hans Primusz at hans.primusz.be.

A nature-inspired audiovisual spectacle

De Grote Schijn places nature at the forefront, combining it with cutting-edge technology to surprise and captivate visitors at every turn. Each scene is designed to blur the line between reality and fantasy, offering an escape from daily life. Visitors can expect to be immersed in a series of imaginative displays that highlight the beauty of the natural surroundings.

“We are not focusing on a specific theme,” says Christophe Van Hostauijen, the creative mind behind De Grote Schijn. “Our aim is to allow visitors to escape from realism, fostering a sense of unity and connectivity. Just as the trees in the Kralingse Bos are intertwined by their roots, we want to reflect that grandeur and connection.”

Producer Piet Winten adds, “For the first time, all installations will be controlled from a central point, creating a seamless experience where light and sound accompany visitors throughout their journey.”

De Grote Schijn đŸ“· Andreas TerlaakDe Grote Schijn đŸ“· Andreas Terlaak

Virtual sea of flowers

One of the standout features of this year’s event will be the ‘bloemenpracht’ (flower splendour), a virtual sea of blooming flowers that appears and disappears as visitors walk. With every step, new flowers will come to life, adding to the magical atmosphere. This year, the organisers are also experimenting with minimalism, such as in the ‘bossproetjes,’ a large field filled with tiny glowing dots.



Event detals and ticket information

De Grote Schijn will be open every evening after sunset until 23:00. To ensure a pleasant walking experience and to avoid queues at the entrance, time slots have been implemented.

Dates: 24 October to 10 November
Location: Kralingse Bos, Rotterdam

Entry fees:

€15.25 (incl. service costs) for children under 12 or adults over 65
€20.25 (incl. service costs) for adults
Family ticket €64.40 (incl. service costs) for two adults and two children or one adult and three children
Free for children up to 3 years old

Tickets are available through the official website: www.degroteschijn.nl.

De Grote Schijn đŸ“· Andreas TerlaakDe Grote Schijn đŸ“· Andreas Terlaak

Directions to the event

Kralingse Bos is a well-known and easily accessible location in Rotterdam. Public transport and ample parking are available, making the event easily reachable for everyone. The area is picturesque, known for its tranquil surroundings and greenery.

Tuschinski Festival Rotterdam - event details

Tuschinski Festival Rotterdam - event details

HAPPENING 13–14 September 2024 | The Tuschinski Festival returns to Little C and Coolhaven this September, celebrating the cultural heritage of the area’s namesakes with music, exhibitions, and workshops. Residents and visitors alike are invited to attend this free, two-day event that puts the spotlight on local talent.

Tuschinski Festival returns to Little C and Coolhaven

The next Tuschinski Festival will take place on 13 and 14 September 2024, celebrating the history and culture of Rotterdam’s Little C and Coolhaven districts. The event is organised by Stichting Tuschinski Rotterdam and will focus on the stories behind the neighbourhood’s namesakes: Abraham Tuschinski, Karl Weisbard, and Samuel Soesman.

This year’s theme, “Everyone deserves a stage” (Iedereen verdient een podium), aligns with the spirit of legendary cinema founder Abraham Tuschinski, known for championing creativity and artistic expression.

Events and activities

Visitors to the Tuschinski Festival can expect a variety of events aimed at showcasing both emerging local talent and the historical significance of the area. Planned activities include:

  • Jazz performances and live music from upcoming talent
  • Exhibitions and talk shows highlighting cultural history
  • Interactive tours through the neighbourhood, exploring its architecture and namesakes
  • Creative music workshops for children, encouraging artistic expression

The festival promises an engaging weekend where the community can come together to celebrate the legacy of its founders and the vibrant spirit of Little C and Coolhaven.

Practical information

  • Dates: 13 and 14 September 2024
  • Location: Little C and Coolhaven, Rotterdam
  • Admission: Free (some activities may require registration)

Open to all, whether locals or visitors from afar, the Tuschinski Festival offers an opportunity to meet new people and learn more about the history of this evolving neighbourhood.

For those interested in contributing with an activity or performance, the organisation welcomes collaboration.

Directions and venue

Little C and Coolhaven are located in the heart of Rotterdam, easily accessible by public transport, car, and bicycle. The area is known for its unique blend of modern architecture and historical charm, making it an ideal setting for the festival’s cultural celebrations.

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