Kaludjercic on IFFR 2023 and beyond

“How we would like the festival to develop.”

“Creating a festival is an ongoing research, questioning of the world and oneself and if you don't start to wonder in a moment like this what's next – then you may start losing connection with the world."

When Hubert Bals started the festival in 1972 his aim was to be critical and to challenge the status quo. His dream was to present those films from Indonesia, Ghana and Greece that could not be seen anywhere else, and were not part of any discourse, let alone any form of distribution. Today 50 years later, we can say: this dream has come true, already a few decades ago. And next to that there are many IFFRs in spirit and shape worldwide.

Passing the 50-edition mark whilst confronting the challenges of the pandemic has invited us to reflect on our identity. We are not only celebrating what has made IFFR a success, but we are looking at what has perhaps escaped our attention up until now, and how we would like the festival to develop in the decades to come.”

Join us at IFFR 2023

The festival has launched the IFFR Media Outreach & Inclusion Scheme, a new programme designed to remove barriers for journalists and media makers from communities who are underrepresented in festival reporting. The scheme’s inaugural year offers accreditations and more with the aim of ensuring a plurality of experiences and perspectives in its press community. 

The festival is set to welcome audiences, filmmakers, industry and press back to Rotterdam with a full programme of features, shorts, focus programmes, performances and more. IFFR Pro is back with an on-site programme that includes the 40th CineMart, Pro Hub and Rotterdam Lab, which welcomes back graduates of the producer training programme from the online editions to gather with new participants.

During the mostly digital 50th and 51st editions, audiences across the Netherlands were able to access a selection of films online. The festival found that this increased its reach across the country. New audiences who were able to experience IFFR online should continue to feel welcome, and the festival will ensure there will be an online offer during IFFR 2023 made available to audiences who are unable to attend the festival in person. 

With January now beginning to appear in the horizon, the first film confirmations have been announced in the Bright Future and Limelight programmes.

“Never think that we have seen enough.”

We need to “look into spheres which are ignored otherwise, or even looked at with a disparaging attitude. These can include socially critical romantic comedies from Mexico or the Philippines but also avant-garde films for whose vision we do not even have a vocabulary yet,” Kaludjercic continued in her address. 

“We should always remember what Hubert Bals set out to do: to remain curious. To never think that we have seen enough. And to always believe that there is something out there that deserves our attention and love.’’

Stay tuned for details of upcoming programme announcements – including Focus programmes,  Tiger Competition, Big Screen Competition, Ammodo Tiger Short Competition, Art Directions, Cinema Regained, the remaining Limelight, Bright Future and Harbour selections, Short & Mid-length and more.