IFFR Filmclub x Dokhuis: Belonging
As we begin the year 2026 with fresh resolutions, questioning what we want, where we fit, and what truly works for us, the central theme of this edition of IFFR filmclub is Belonging.
This programme brings together three short films by Rotterdam-based-or-related makers that explore identity, embodiment, and the search for connection. Through poetic reflection and intimate documentary storytelling, the films examine how we relate to ourselves, our bodies, our essence, and the communities around us.
The evening opens with Pietà of Sorrow (2024) by Vera de Costa which follows an embodied narrative of birth and becoming. Within living natural landscapes, the body exists as part of the land itself. Fabric becomes skin, skin becomes earth, and earth becomes divine, held within soft boundaries of humanness.
Next is Coming In (2022) by Esmée van Loon, which questions the unwritten rules surrounding coming out. Why is coming out considered a rite of passage for non-heterosexual people, but unnecessary for straight people? Through candid conversations, the film reflects on for whom we actually come out: ourselves, or the people around us.
The programme concludes with Boxing Against the Binary (2024), also by Esmée van Loon. This intimate documentary portrays Queer Gym Rotterdam, a safe and inclusive space where queer people can exercise and reconnect with their bodies outside heteronormative beauty standards and fitness ideals. Through conversations with members, trainers, and founder Romy, the film highlights the physical and emotional necessity of spaces where queer communities can discover strength on their own terms.
After the movies, there is room for a Q&A with the makers, and to share. Films are Dutch with English subtitles.
Tickets are free (reservation is required)
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About IFFR Filmclub
Filmclub is a new initiative of IFFR, currently in the pilot phase, where (future) film lovers, young filmmakers and creatives come together to watch films and exchange interests. The idea is that the Filmclub will take place biweekly at various locations throughout Rotterdam, where a mix of (inter)national films, both new and true classics, will be shown in a relaxed setting in combination with discussions, workshops or parties. Whether you are discovering cinema for the first time or are already well on your way as a filmmaker, the Filmclub is a place to get inspired, network or just come and watch a film. The club works together with local communities throughout Rotterdam.
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About film at Dokhuis
Dokhuis offers a unique space where people can come together to watch and create films. They believe cinema possesses the transformative power to help us explore not only the world around us but also the depths of our own selves. It serves as a dynamic medium for fostering meaningful dialogue and connection. Starting in 2025, Dokhuis will host a monthly film evening on the first Friday of every month, as part of the IFFR Filmclub.
Information about this event
- Date:
- January 9, 2026
- Time:
- 18:45 – 21:00
- Location:
- Dokhuis, Doklaan 10, Rotterdam, 3087CB