Tips from IFFR ambassador Zeynep Serdaroğlu

2m²

Volkan Üce | Belgium, Germany, Turkey | 2026 | 83′
Got the chance to pre-screen this at the IFFR office last week and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Following a funeral director for the Belgian-Turkish community, the film circles one simple but loaded question: where should someone be buried if their life is in two separate lands? As a Turkish immigrant living in the Netherlands, hearing the “here” and “there” debate this way hit hard.

Fenix Plein programme

Fenix (the new art museum focused on migration) is a new festival location this year. Beyond its stunning architecture, it will host screenings and events, most of which are free! It looks to be a beautiful space not only to experience the festival but also learn, reflect, and engage with stories about migration, identity, and cultural exchange. 

Pillion 

Harry Lighton | United Kingdom | 2025 | 106′
I’ve talked about my appreciation for unconventional love stories on my YouTube channel before, and this one is no exception. As the Skarsgård family continues to take over the film industry, I’m especially excited to see this one as it looks to be pushing the boundaries of the romcom genre. Definitely high on my must-see list this festival.

Romería

Carla Simón | Spain, Germany | 2025 | 112′
This one is giving early 2000s nostalgia, grainy camcorder footage, and sun-drenched Spanish summers. As an aspiring filmmaker myself, I was drawn to it because the film follows Marina’s coming-of-age story. Described as an “intimate piece of auto-fiction,” it blends personal memory and cinematic storytelling.

Tiger Talk: Life Lessons from Women Filmmakers 

Talk | IFFR Pro
The festival experience wouldn’t be complete without attending at least one talk. There are plenty of amazing options this year, but I managed to snag a ticket for this one… It’s been 60 years since the founding of NOW (National Organisation for Women), and this panel is diving into what has actually changed for women behind the camera.