{"id":208343,"date":"2025-01-31T23:29:54","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T22:29:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iffr.com\/en\/?p=208343"},"modified":"2025-02-27T14:18:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T13:18:43","slug":"blog-filmmaker-ashley-rottjers-wins-rtm-pitch-2025-with-project-regen-in-augustus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iffr.com\/en\/blog-filmmaker-ashley-rottjers-wins-rtm-pitch-2025-with-project-regen-in-augustus","title":{"rendered":"Filmmaker Ashley R\u00f6ttjers wins RTM Pitch 2025 with project Regen in augustus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During the opening of the RTM Day at IFFR 2025, which showcases films by Rotterdam-based filmmakers or about our port city, the sixth winner of the RTM Pitch was announced, along with the new development prize and coaching programme recipients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ashley R\u00f6ttjers by Vera Cornel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The project Regen in augustus<\/strong> by Ashley R\u00f6ttjers is the winner of the 2025 RTM Pitch prize and tells the story of Jasmine, a young woman in her twenties with Surinamese roots, who finds herself trapped in a suffocating routine where the elusive boundary between reality and imagination gradually blurs. The winning film project of RTM Pitch 2025 is supported with \u20ac20,000 from the Municipality of Rotterdam and will premiere during RTM at IFFR 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were also delighted to host the world premiere of the previous RTM Pitch winner, Bubbling Baby<\/strong> by Sharine Rijsenburg, with further screenings taking place later on in the festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ashley R\u00f6ttjers: “Regen in augustus <\/strong>exposes the struggle with mental health and loneliness \u2013  issues that profoundly affect many in my generation. Winning the RTM Pitch feels like recognition of this vulnerable story. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to sharing it with the world and hopefully making many more films in the future.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Ashley R\u00f6ttjers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ashley R\u00f6ttjers is a photographer and filmmaker known for her raw yet intimate imagery. She crafts authentic stories that resonate with her audience on a deep level. The poetic essence of everyday life serves as her foundation, and themes of loneliness, alienation, escapism and connection will be central to her upcoming film project. Previously, she directed the project 40 Years of Summer Carnival<\/em> at Kunsthal and has photographed campaigns for brands including Vogue<\/em> and Patta<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About RTM Pitch<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The \u20ac20,000 grant is financed by the municipality of Rotterdam as part of its film and media policy to encourage local film talent development. The RTM Pitch jury consisted of curator Absaline Hehakaya, cinematographer Gregg Telussa and IFFR programmer Koen de Rooij. RTM Day is supported by the VandenEnde Foundation, the G.Ph. Verhagen Foundation and the Municipality of Rotterdam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more about previous RTM Pitch winners here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Development prize winner and coaching programme recipients<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the RTM Pitch award, the winner of the \u20ac5,000 development prize was also announced. The project Dandalunda Adrift <\/strong>by filmmaker Lemba de Miranda will receive support from QISSA, an agency, community and talent incubator, to further develop the film concept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, five tailored coaching programmes have been awarded to winners who will receive professional guidance on aspects such as script coaching, fundraising or production advice. The winners are Ife Carter (Nine of Swords<\/strong>), Rahab Ahmed (Bzzt<\/strong>), Iga Wojak & Skaiste Sileikaite\u00a0 (Catching the Wind<\/strong>), Mike Wijdenbosch & Dina Sobhi (Till I Drop<\/strong>), and Be Romy (De Portiek<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coaching programmes are made possible with the support of QISSA. The jury for both the development prize and the custom-made coaching programme consisted of members from QISSA and IFFR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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A list with articles<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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