How to Pro at IFFR: practical info for filmmakers and industry

IFFR is a festival that prides itself on having no strict dress code or red carpet expectations – dress however you want and however you feel most comfortable. Of course, film premieres and special events are festive occasions, and we are very happy for you to dress up for them, should you want to.

Please do keep in mind Rotterdam’s famous January weather conditions, and make sure that you come prepared to brave the wind, rain and cold as you maneuver between venues and the city.

If you can, we encourage guests to bring and re-use their own lanyards – especially if it’s from a previous IFFR edition!

If you’re arriving by plane, the fastest way from Schiphol Airport to Rotterdam is the NS Intercity Direct train, taking just 26 minutes. The station is located directly below the terminal. Take the Intercity Direct trains, listed on departure boards, which run nonstop to Rotterdam, sometimes continuing to Breda or Brussels. Make sure to buy your Intercity Direct supplement in addition to the NS ticket.

When traveling in the Netherlands, use the NS to travel by train between different cities. It is also possible to rent OV-bikes at the Rotterdam Central Station with a personalized OV-Chipkaart. When traveling by train, make sure to check your travel online for any changes in schedules. Plan your journey in the NS app.

The festival’s heart is located at ‘de Doelen’. During the festival you can enter via the Willem Burger Zaal entrance on Kruisplein 40 which is less than a five-minute walk from Rotterdam Centraal train station.

If you joined us last year, note that this year the entrance is different. Many of the IFFR locations in ‘de Doelen’ are located differently to last year, including the Accreditation Desk and the Pro Hub. You can find out more below. If you have been with us prior to 2024, everything is back where you’d expect it to be, as it was in previous years.

Once you arrive in Rotterdam, you can collect your accreditation at ‘de Doelen’. The Accreditation Desk is located on the third floor and is open at the following times:

• Thu 29 Jan: 10.00 – 17.45
• Friday 30 Jan – Tue 4 Feb: 10.00 – 19.00
• Wed 5 – Thu 6 Feb: 10.00 – 18.00
• Fri 7 – Sat 8 Feb: by appointment only

If you can, we encourage guests to bring and re-use their own lanyards – especially if it’s from a previous IFFR edition!

The locations of IFFR are spread across the city of Rotterdam. Visit our location pages to find everything you need to know about locations and how to get to them. This page contains Google Maps entries of all our locations and hospitality partners. Find the page here.

In Rotterdam, use the RET (bus, tram and metro) to move between the various festival locations. With the RET app you can easily plan your trip. You can download it from the app store.

Order your tickets now for the full IFFR 2026 programme via the programme pages.

Find more details, including about press and industry screenings and our online video library via the link below.

Please book your screenings in advance as many sell out. We will also be running last-minute queues outside the screening room at sold-out screenings.

Read more here.

The Pro Hub organises panels, workshops and mentor sessions – creating a meeting place and networking environment for the whole professional community at the festival. The Pro Hub returns to the fourth floor of ‘de Doelen’, with the Pro Dialogues taking place in Studio 8, which you can access from street level (Karel Doormanstraat). Join us in Studio 3 at the Pro Hub Welcome Drinks co-hosted by the Netherlands Film Fund, Fri 30 Jan, 18.00.

Read more here.

Once the sun sets on another busy day in Rotterdam, get together with accredited filmmakers, professionals, press and CineMart delegates at one of our many social and networking events organised especially for you.

Read more here.

Head to one of our specially selected hospitality partners. At these locations, you’ll receive a special discount upon showing your badge, or there might be a unique IFFR offer on the menu.

Our festival heart at ‘de Doelen’ is the closest and best place to start!

Download the PDF here.

Find your schedule for Q&A’s, screenings, interviews and meetings in your IFFR account, updated daily. Please make sure to check your schedule regularly in case of any changes.

Go to your IFFR account here.

See who’s who at the festival, find contacts and organise meetings via our IFFR Pro Connect online directory. First log in with your IFFR account.

Find Pro Connect here.

As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering an inclusive festival experience, we have combined all accessibility information on one page. Visit our accessibility page for more info.

Read more here.

• If you have any questions related to your stay, please contact the guest team at guest@IFFR.com.
• For ticketing matters, contact service@IFFR.com.
• Contact the Pro Hub at prohub@IFFR.com.