About IFFR

IFFR is...

International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) offers a high quality line-up of carefully selected fiction and documentary feature films, short films and media art. The festival's focus is on recent work by talented new filmmakers. However, there is also room for retrospectives and themed programmes. IFFR actively supports new and adventurous filmmaking talent through its co-production market CineMart, its Hubert Bals Fund, Rotterdam Lab and other industry activities.

Vision

IFFR is a leading cultural platform accessible to all, that champions compelling cinema and audiovisual art. Through screenings, talks, exhibitions, and various networking opportunities, IFFR enables discovery, dialogue, learning and people coming together. We look where others don’t look, and through IFFR’s distinct programming, we open a space for ideas that captivate, engage and entertain, pushing creative boundaries that have the power to transform. IFFR supports independent storytellers and advances the impact of their work in the world.

Mission

IFFR creates opportunities for the independent filmmaking community from across the globe, to reach broad and diverse audiences. Through its visionary programming, year-round activities and forward-looking initiatives, it is a haven for the plurality of voices, audiovisual formats and storytelling, and an essential destination for film professionals and film lovers. IFFR seeks to challenge people’s views of the world and each other through film.

Audience

The IFFR programme tackles issues of contemporary social relevance in uniquely exciting ways and shows a keen eye for cinematic innovation. We want to ensure these quality films reach an audience as wide and diverse as possible. We achieve this through several means: by organising our annual festival and events throughout the year and via our online strategy that allows for screening opportunities.

IFFR Pro

We’re more than a film festival. We also offer year-round guidance and support to all film professionals through our Hubert Bals Fund (HBF), our annual co-production market CineMart and the many forms of training offered in our Rotterdam Lab programme. All of these pillars make up IFFR Pro an important community for independent filmmakers and producers looking for finance, coaching, distribution, co-production partners and inspiration.

Hubert Bals Fund

The Hubert Bals Fund (HBF) is a curatorial fund dedicated to supporting filmmakers in every stage of the filmmaking process – from script development to post-production. Over more than 30 years, the fund has developed a distinguished taste for filmmakers with a forward-looking artistic vision. The HBF focuses on supporting filmmakers from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe. Oftentimes, HBF-supported films premiere at major film festivals, reaching wide audiences and finding significant critical success.

Education

Through our educational activities we familiarise young audiences with the vast spectrum of film, broadening their horizons and stimulating autonomous thinking. We organise a wide variety of events for young people of all ages and we provide year-round support to teachers incorporating film lessons into their curricula.

The festival

In 2023, IFFR recorded 283,506 visits (incl. 8,871 online visits) and more than 2,500 attending film professionals; this makes IFFR one of the largest audience and industry-driven film festivals in the world. The festival's official selection generally includes more than 400 feature, mid-length, and short films from over 90 countries and also offers a high-quality line-up of exhibitions, performances, masterclasses and talks.

The 53rd edition of IFFR will take place from 25 January to 4 February 2024.