Festival

VPRO Big Screen Competition

A diverse competition bridging the gap between popular, classic and art house cinema. An expert audience jury picks the winner.

In the VPRO Big Screen Competition, a selection of new films is chosen to have their international premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. The winning film is released in Dutch cinemas, acquired by the VPRO, and broadcast on NPO 2. Additionally, the award comes with a prize of €30,000. Half of this amount goes to the distributor who decides to acquire the film.

Winners per edition

2024
The Old Bachelor
by Oktay Baraheni

2023
Endless Borders
by Abbas Amini

2022
Kung Fu Zohra by Mabrouk El Mechri

2021
El perro que no calla by Ana Katz

2020
A Perfectly Normal Family by Malou Reymann

2019
Transnistra
 by Anna Eborn

2018
Nina by Olga Chajdas

2017
Pop Aye
 by Kirsten Tan

2016
Les ogres
by Léa Fehner

2015 
Second Coming
 by Debbie Tucker Green 

2014
Another Year
 by Oxana Bychkova

2013
Bellas mariposas
 by Salvatore Mereu

In the VPRO Big Screen Competition, a panel of audience judges decides which IFFR film will be presented to a wide audience. The jury members view and assess all nominated films at IFFR 2024 (January 25th to February 4th).

Our five-member jury has the unique opportunity to watch all films selected for the Big Screen Competition during the festival and collectively determine the winner of the VPRO Big Screen Award.

As a jury member, you must be available from January 25th to February 4th, 2023, to watch all nominated films. Your schedule for this will be disclosed once the film program is complete. We aim for a diverse team and are seeking jurors of all ages—a true reflection of the city of Rotterdam, where everyone is welcome. And don't worry: you don't need a professional background in film to participate. All you need is a love for film and an eye for movies that deserve a wider audience beyond the festival.

Registration for the VPRO Big Screen public jury 2024 is closed. Keep an eye on our socials for IFFR 2025.

Audience Awards