Communications & reach

Press

IFFR 2021 was the first edition to invite press and industry guests to participate online. As a result, the 50th edition welcomed a record number of 536 journalists, representing 61 countries. Press produced a large amount of quality coverage. 

Dan Schindel of Hyperallergic wrote: “Even with a reduced programme, IFFR remains one of the vanguard festivals for the arthouse scene, premiering many of the movies you’ll continue to hear about throughout the year." Find an overview of IFFR 2021 press clippings here. 

The festival hosted two programme-focussed press conferences, announcing the February programme and June programme. In addition, the festival hosted four Tiger Competition press conferences, during which competing filmmakers spoke with festival director Vanja Kaludjercic and answered questions from the press. 

Young Film Critics

In line with the festival’s commitment to critical engagement with cinema, the Young Film Critics talent development programme invited six emerging film journalists from around the world to remotely produce critical festival coverage under editorial supervision. The participants were also offered a two-week programme of expert sessions, informal meetings and international networking opportunities.

Media partners and editorial content

The 50th edition relied on the continued support of its media partners Screen International, de Volkskrant and VPRO. IFFR additionally forged a new partnership with Variety. The festival published two editions of its flagship print publication for Dutch audiences, the IFFR Programmabijlage in February and June. The programme guide was inserted in the daily national newspaper de Volkskrant, distributed by IFFR and published online. 

IFFR Daily, the festival’s daily online publication, reached audiences in large numbers and featured content by in-house editors as well as curated film tips from filmmakers, visual artists and representatives from organisations such as Letterboxd and Girls on Film.