Rotterdam Lab open call

IFFR Pro

October 9, 2025

We’re launching an open call for participation in our Rotterdam Lab producers’ workshop at IFFR 2026. A maximum of five spots will be made available to selected producers that fulfil the eligibility requirements. The deadline for applications is 20 October 2025.

Rotterdam Lab Co-production Case Study 2025: **All We Imagine as Light**

Rotterdam Lab is an annual training workshop for international film producers, embedded within the IFFR Pro Days of the festival alongside the world-renowned CineMart project market, the Darkroom works-in-progress programme, immersive market platforms and the Pro Hub and Reality Check activities.

In its 26th edition, the Rotterdam Lab hosts more than 70 producers and creators nominated by partner organisations from around the world. The purpose is to offer emerging professionals the means to build and develop their network, providing confidence, tools and skills to navigate the world of international film financing, production, sales, marketing, festivals and distribution.

Once again, we’re launching an open call for participation, with a maximum of five spots available for selected producers.

Regulations

Eligibility criteria
We aim to use the open call to maximise the plurality of voices, backgrounds and experiences in the Rotterdam Lab cohort, giving particular attention to countries and regions not yet served by existing partner organisations. Therefore, we invite applications from producers who:
- Belong to an ethnically diverse/minority community, and/or
- Belong to First Nations / Indigenous community and/or
- Identify as a person of colour; and/or
- Identify as LGBTQIA+; and/or
- Identify as a non-binary or gender-diverse person; and/or
- Are Neurodiverse, and/or
- Have a disability; and/or
- Come from a European low production capacity country* that is not currently represented by one of our partner organisations; and/or
- Come from a non-European country that is not currently represented by one of our partner organisations
- Producers should have made at least two short-length films and be working on a (first or second) feature film with the aim of co-producing internationally.
- Producers must have a strong interest and inclination to work internationally and strongly demonstrate their need to expand their international network.
Applicants can be independent producers with their own companies, freelancers or junior producers working for more established production companies. There are no age restrictions.
Selection criteria

All applications will be assessed based on the quality of the application, the applicant’s professional motivation and relevant learning goals. Read the required documentation below.
Required documentation
The application consists of a completed form with the following attachments:
- An up-to-date CV, with both professional and academic qualifications.
- A letter of motivation which should explain why you want to build and expand your international network, the experiences and knowledge you could bring to the cohort, and the practical knowledge and skills in co-production, marketing, post-production or financing you wish to grow.
- Optionally, you can include a portfolio or dossier with complementary materials.
All documentation must be submitted via our submission link at the time of the application. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
What we offer
- Participation in the Rotterdam Lab programme
- Five nights of hotel accommodation
- IFFR 2026 CineMart Accreditation granting access to:
  - CineMart Meetings
  - CineMart Lunches
  - Daily Networking Drinks
  - 20 festival screening tickets (including P&I screenings)
  - Access to Art Directions & Immersive VR programme
  - Filmmakers Party
  - Industry Party
  - CineMart Awards.
Please note: we do not offer travel expenses. Selected participants must be able to self-finance travel to and from Rotterdam. We will provide official invitations as required for visa purposes.