Pro Dialogues 2026

IFFR Pro presents a series of enlightening industry panel discussions that bring together filmmakers, producers, funders, and leading industry professionals to explore timely topics – from solidarity for filmmakers under pressure to Asian genre cinema and putting sex on screen.

Access Studio 8 ‘de Doelen’ from street level on Karel Doormanstraat.

All the Dialogues (except for Story Sovereignty – Decolonising Indigenous Filmmaking, and Pulling Focus: NL 2026) are located in ‘de Doelen’ Studio 8 and are freely accessible to accredited badge-holders except for the Tiger Talk: Queerness and 21st Century Politics which must be pre-booked.

Saturday, 31 January 2026

Exploring the challenges, opportunities and pleasures of bringing sex to the screen, from funding and production to audience engagement.

Festival leaders discuss future-focused strategies, diversified funding and long-term resilience in the global festival landscape.

Editors from around the world reflect on creativity, technology and evolving workflows in contemporary film editing.

Sunday, 1 February 2026

To strengthen collaboration between the UK and Dutch film sectors, the session highlights creative, financial and production opportunities between the two countries and encourages new co-productions and long-term partnerships.

A conversation on the fluid collaborations shaping moving-image work across festivals, galleries, museums and biennials.

de Doelen Willem Burger Zaal, pre-booking required

Oscar-winning filmmaker Mike van Diem opens Pulling Focus: NL 2026 a celebration of Dutch cinema’s global impact, featuring project pitches and the launch of the Dutch Talent Market, leading into the Big Talk on Jimpa.

de Doelen Willem Burger Zaal, pre-booking required

Hanna van Vliet will moderate a conversation on Jimpa (IFFR 2026) with renowned actor John Lithgow and the Dutch cast (including Hans Kesting, Romana Vrede and Zoë Love Smith) exploring the film’s creative origins, cross-cultural collaboration and themes of identity, legacy and chosen family.

Monday, 2 February 2026

This panel examines current realities and transformations in the Arab film industries.

How public funding and international support can sustain filmmakers working in restrictive political contexts.

This panel explores how filmmakers harness bold storytelling and distinctive aesthetic choices to engage with urgent social realities and proposed social evolutions.

In partnership with Unifrance and with the support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

Tuesday, 3 February 2026

An in-depth look at the creative contributions of production and post-production below the line crews.

Examining pathways toward a vibrant, self-sustaining future for African independent cinema.

A discussion on reclaiming narrative control and decolonising practices in Indigenous filmmaking. de Doelen 4th floor, Rotterdam Lab room

Wednesday, 4 February 2026

Exploring the global impact, evolution and innovation of contemporary Asian genre cinema.

Rather than framing it as opposition, the discussion explores how queer perspectives open up alternative ways of imagining, making and experiencing film. Please reserve a place for this panel, which is also open to general audiences.