Friends & partners

The structural support provided by our main partners, BankGiro Loterij, Fonds 21, Stichting Droom en Daad, vfonds and de Volkskrant, ensures IFFR has the all-important foundations from which it can build. After working together on various programmes and audience initiatives for more than a decade, IFFR welcomed Fonds 21 as a new main partner for the coming three years to place a stronger emphasis on audience development and education. Without the loyalty and structural support of these main partners, the festival would not exist in its current form. It is also for that reason, that we offer our sincere gratitude to the Rotterdam City and Council, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and Creative Europe MEDIA for their ongoing commitment.

Each festival edition counts on the support of numerous local partners and various businesses, funds, private contributors that enthusiastically contribute to the festival and its mission in diverse and inspiring ways.

Thanks to the generosity of several funds, amongst others VSBfonds, Stichting Bevordering van Volkskracht and Stichting Elise Mathilde Fonds, IFFR explores and implements new ways of engaging with younger audiences and students. Education has long been central to IFFR’s mission to create a space for quality cinema and film education in the lives of young people, specifically in Rotterdam.

Rotterdam-based businesses provide the festival and its audiences with locally-honed services and unique festival experiences, such as locally produced tiger chocolates, coffee from roaster Ketelbinkie and a successful partnership with beer brewers Kaapse Brouwers who brewed a limited-edition festival beer and facilitated a special film evening, together with Windt Le Grand Leeuwenburgh, for the youngest sponsors of the festival: the Next Film Patrons. 

The ongoing and crucial support from our donors, including members of our Tiger Film Mecenaat and the Next Film Patrons, directly impacts the number of film projects IFFR’s Hubert Bals Fund can support, and the quality and reach of our festival programme each year. 

IFFR is where it is today thanks to the overwhelming generosity of its friends, partners, supporters, corporations and foundations. Thank you. You make IFFR a reality. 

Sustainability and innovation

Together with a number of key partners, IFFR has been urgently working to reduce its ecological footprint. BMW has been incremental in making IFFR’s care service more sustainable, by providing the festival with fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The festival heart de Doelen has been making strides to green the organisations food and waste processes. 

The greatest challenges faced in reducing CO2 emissions demand a sector-wide approach. IFFR is currently analysing the amount of emission caused by the flights booked each year for festival guests. The outcome of this study will serve as the basis for a round-table discussion with European film festivals in the region, with the aim to arrive at a joint, concrete, step-by-step plan that does not disproportionately impact the quality of the festivals.