IFFR 2023: Meet our RTM curators

Stories

IFFR 2023: Meet our RTM curators

23 November 2022

In RTM, IFFR puts the spotlight firmly on films and makers from our city on the river Maas. A programme chock-full of short and longer films, series, and documentaries – all focused around talented makers and stories from the 010 area, with an impact that reaches far beyond. From established names and Rotterdam icons to emerging film talent, this programme reveals the riches of Rotterdam in all its glory. Keep reading to learn more about our three local guest curators who for the first time are programming RTM at IFFR 2023.

The RTM programme gives the stage to local films and talent

During the RTM Day at the festival on Friday 27 January 2023, LantarenVenster will be filled with the latest short and feature films, Rotterdam classics, events, talks, audiovisual art, video clips and installations. For our next edition, three local creatives have been given the freedom to curate the programme.

‘’On the local front, for the first time this year we have invited three Rotterdam creatives to curate our RTM programme. Through their fresh perspectives and respective networks we continue to foster and enhance local connections, while celebrating all the uniqueness this amazing city has to offer.”

- Festival Director, Vanja Kaludjercic

Cheryl Asruf

“My focus for RTM will be on the representation of people of colour and the female perspective, as I know from experience what it’s like to live in a white, male dominated world. If not represented, one feels unvalued. I was born and raised in Rotterdam. I hope the programme will reflect the love and struggles of this beloved city, but most of all the insane talent it harbours.”

After working as an actress for 24 years, Cheryl Asruf expanded to screenwriting and direction as her short film Botje was selected for the Cypher Cinema Trajectory by the Netherlands Film Fund. After that she explored visual style for imaginative and cultural scenes at the Filmforward Vrijplaats. She is currently working as a writer for several productions whilst still acting.

©MarwanMagroun

Noémi Biró

“With RTM I’m looking for sparks. Sparks of joy and happiness of mundane but beautiful happenings. Sparks of anger and helplessness, daily struggles, both personal and systematic. Sparks of harmony both within and with our surroundings or the lack thereof. I am hoping the programme will resonate with current collective struggles, hopes & dreams. I hope the context will help continue the conversation.”

Noémi Biró has a background in graphic design and creates interactive digital landscapes. She works with iterative processes focusing on participatory environments. This leads to a wide range of outcomes from installations, to online exhibition spaces & platforms, to VR experiences. The influence of technologies on movement and space is a key focus of her research. Her work lies between the fusion of physical & digital. By participating in the studio community at TimeWindow, collaborative artistic disciplines and performance art influence her practice.

©MarwanMagroun

Nizar El Manouzi

“I love to see the world through the lens of personal stories I encounter. Unheard stories have huge potential for success worldwide. This can be achieved when we create space for talented makers to bring their vision forward in an authentic way. RTM is a perfect embodiment for such an ambition.”

Born 1996, Nizar El Manouzi is a Dutch-Moroccan actor and presenter. He is known for his role in Mocro Maffia (2018) in which he has played the role of detective El Moussaoui since 2020. He has been a presenter at Het Klokhuis since 2021, an informative programme for children from nine to fifteen. El Manouzi has acted at the Ro Theater and played the role of Brahim in Catacomb (2018). In addition to acting and presenting, El Manouzi also combines four studies at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam: Philosophy, Medicine, Health Policy and Media & Creative Industries.