{"id":211433,"date":"2024-12-05T14:42:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T13:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iffr.com\/en\/?p=211433"},"modified":"2025-10-16T12:46:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T10:46:13","slug":"international-film-festival-rotterdam-revitalises-iffr-pro-reveals-cinemart-and-darkroom-selections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iffr.com\/en\/international-film-festival-rotterdam-revitalises-iffr-pro-reveals-cinemart-and-darkroom-selections","title":{"rendered":"International Film Festival Rotterdam revitalises IFFR Pro, reveals CineMart and Darkroom selections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CineMart Expands for 2025 with Four Additional Projects in the Film Selection. <\/a>Darkroom Doubles in Size, Presenting 10 Feature Projects and Two Immersive in the Work-in-Progress Programme.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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Rotterdam \u2013 5 December 2024 \u2013<\/strong> International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has unveiled its selection of 20 film projects and four immersive projects for its 42nd edition of CineMart \u2013<\/strong> IFFR Pro\u2019s co-production market, which will run Sunday 2 to Wednesday 5 February 2025. Additionally, IFFR has confirmed the lineup for its IFFR Pro work-in-progress strand \u2018Darkroom\u2019, which for 2025 has doubled in size, with 10 feature projects and two immersive projects being presented. This marks newly appointed Head of IFFR Pro Marten Rabarts\u2019 first CineMart selection cycle and programme. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n


The IFFR Pro Days return to their familiar place in the festival heart in \u2018de Doelen\u2019 between 31 January \u2013 5 February 2025, and alongside CineMart and Darkroom, will feature the talent development initiatives Rotterdam Lab, which marks its 25th anniversary in 2025, alongside Creative Producer Indaba and an industry day dedicated to the Dutch film ecosystem.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marten Rabarts, Head of IFFR Pro<\/strong>, said: \u201cIn their timely, creative and defiant approaches to our times, the voices in this CineMart lineup demand to be listened to. There is a sense of existential urgency that has driven much of our curation, through projects that directly tackle the origins of authoritarian regimes, through to AI-infused dystopian futures, as well as those that speak out against colonialism and oppression. As the first CineMart selection as Head of IFFR Pro, I\u2019m heartened to see the range of storytelling and talent on display, from world-renowned names to the incredible number of IFFR, Rotterdam Lab and Hubert Bals Fund alumni continuing their filmmaker journeys. The bolstered number of projects in the CineMart lineup, as well as doubling the number of projects in Darkroom, is only a small part of a full and re-energised Pro programme in 2025. During the Pro Days we\u2019re offering a complete spectrum of tailored services, including Pro Hub panels and the daily networking receptions that make IFFR a vital place to connect with the international industry. We couldn\u2019t be more excited to host the next edition, and to present and champion these projects in Rotterdam.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During CineMart<\/strong> a curated lineup of projects in development are presented to international industry for financing and co-production. The 2025 programme includes an array of returning IFFR filmmakers \u2013 including Ukrainian auteur Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk, with Something Strange Happened to Me<\/strong>,<\/em> whose Hubert Bals Fund-supported debut Pamfir<\/em> (IFFR 2023) premiered in Quinzaine des cin\u00e9astes at Cannes, alongside IFFR regular Daniel Mann, whose Under a Blue Sun<\/em> screened in the Tiger Competition in 2024, with
<\/em>The Uganda Project<\/em><\/strong>,<\/em> and Kenyan filmmaker Angela Wanjiku Wamai  (Shimoni<\/em>, IFFR 2023) with the epic neo-Western Enkop<\/em><\/strong>, which is one of the four Hubert Bals Fund-supported projects in the CineMart lineup.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The selection covers the origins of authoritarian regimes, like in Jazm\u00edn L\u00f3pez’s (Si yo fuera el invierno mismo,<\/em> IFFR Tiger Competition 2020) Faust<\/em><\/strong>, to their dystopian technological futures in Cape of Pleasures<\/em> <\/strong>by IFFR regular Marcelo Gomes (Portrait of a Certain Orient<\/em>, IFFR Big Screen Competition 2024) and filmmaker and visual artist Cao Guimar\u00e3es.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, queer legend and filmmaker Cheryl Dunye whose The Watermelon Woman <\/em>screened at IFFR 1997, projects AI anxiety in Black Is Blue<\/em> <\/strong>following recent years of significant success directing landmark TV series including \u2018The Umbrella Academy\u2019, \u2018Queen Sugar\u2019 and \u2018Bridgerton\u2019. Dunye\u2019s project is one of a number of queer stories and voices across the selection. Zaida Carmona (La amiga de mi amiga, <\/em>IFFR 2023) also returns with Adi\u00f3s, amor<\/strong>,<\/em>alongside Eugen Jebeleanu\u2019s third feature The Price of Gold<\/strong>, <\/em>produced by Ada Solomon of microFILM.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The selection also includes two genre takes on cannibalism with Meat <\/em><\/strong>from Rioghnach Ni Ghrioghair\u2019s (Don\u2019t Go Where I Can\u2019t Find You,<\/em> SXSW 2022), alongside Strange Root<\/em> <\/strong>from Lam Li Shuen and Mark Chua, the Singaporean duo behind the celluloid shorts Chomp It! <\/em>(IFFR 2023) and The Inescapable Desire of Roots <\/em>(IFFR 2024). Indian filmmaker Ashim Ahuwalia brings Unidentified Actress<\/em>,a follow up to his Cannes Un Certain Regard and IFFR 2013 selected Miss Lovely.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On CineMart\u2019s Immersive lineup, Rotterdam artist Robin Coops returns to CineMart with the new musical experience One Charming Night <\/em><\/strong>and Lilian Hess, who premiered her CineMart and Darkroom-presented immersive work Duchampiana<\/em> in Venice Immersive this year, returns with Strata<\/em> <\/strong>for IFFR 2025.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IFFR Pro’s Darkroom offers a platform to present recently or nearly completed films and immersive media projects to the international industry seeking gap or completion funding, sales agents and festivals with the support of expert consultancy. For the first time, Darkroom will feature a dedicated focus, which for 2025 will be on Georgian filmmakers to provide them a platform of support and visibility. The selection features three Georgian projects, including: Uta Beria\u2019s Hubert Bals Fund-supported Tear Gas; Dry Leaf<\/em><\/strong> by Alexandre Koberidze (What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?,<\/em> Berlinale 2021 FIPRESCI prize) and Rati Oneli (City of the Sun<\/em>, Berlinale 2017; co-writer Beginning by Dea Kulumbegashvili, IFFR 2021) will present Wild Dogs Don\u2019t Bite,<\/em><\/strong> supported by the HBF+Europe: Post-production Support scheme.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Furthermore, two Dutch immersive projects will be presented under its 2025 Darkroom lineup: The March<\/em><\/strong> by Leo Erken and Frieda Gustavs, alongside The Great Orator<\/strong> <\/em>by Daniel Ernst. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IFFR will also welcome back a number of returning filmmakers in the Darkroom selection, including Bikas Ranjan Mishra (Dance of Ganesha<\/em>, IFFR 2012) with the Hubert Bals Fund-supported Bayaan<\/em><\/strong>, starring Huma Qureshi; Ivana Mladenovic (Soldiers. Story From Ferentari,<\/em> IFFR 2018; Ivana the Terrible<\/em>, Locarno Special Jury Prize 2019) with her latest Sorella di Clausura<\/em><\/strong>, and Ecuadorian filmmaker Ana Cristina Barragan (Alba, <\/em>IFFR 2016; La piel pulpo,<\/em> 2022) with The Ivy<\/strong>. <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IFFR Pro Awards will recognise projects from the CineMart and Darkroom selections and will be presented on the evening of Wednesday 5 February 2025, including the Eurimages New Lab Awards<\/strong>, consisting of an Innovation Award for projects in development and an Outreach Award for work-in-progress projects.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Details on accreditation for IFFR 2025 can be found here<\/a> <\/u>and information on key dates for the festival can be viewed here.<\/u><\/a><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IFFR Pro and the Hubert Bals Fund acknowledge the support of Creative Europe MEDIA and the Netherlands Film Fund, as well as our many national and industry partners.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CINEMART 2025 – FILM SELECTIONS:<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

100 Thousand Turkish Liras<\/strong>, Nazl\u0131 Elif Durlu, Turkey, Germany
Produced by: istos film, Achtung Panda!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adi\u00f3s, amor<\/strong>, Zaida Carmona, Spain
Produced by: DEBUT Films<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black Is Blue<\/strong>, Cheryl Dunye, United States, Germany, Greece
Produced by: BLACK IS BLUE LLC, Jingletown Films, J\u00fcrgen Br\u00fcning Filmproduktion, Sima Films, Pinch Me Films, Chrysallis Productions<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cape of Pleasures<\/strong>, Marcelo Gomes, Cao Guimar\u00e3es, Brazil, Uruguay<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Cinco em Ponto, Misti Filmes, Criatura Cine <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corte Culebra<\/strong>, Ana Elena Tejera, France, Panama<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Mestizo Cinema, Fulgurance<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enkop<\/strong> (The Soil), Angela Wanjiku Wamai, Kenya, Netherlands<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: LBx Africa, PRPL<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eziko<\/strong>, Babalwa Baartman, JennaCato Bass, South Africa
Produced by: Sanusi Films, Miss K Productions<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faust<\/strong>, Jazm\u00edn L\u00f3pez, Germany, Argentina<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Schuldenberg Films<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four Seasons in Java<\/strong>, Kamila Andini, Indonesia, Singapore<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Forka Films, Giraffe Pictures <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Melissa Blew a Fuse<\/strong>, Una Gunjak, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: SSCA \/ pro.ba, Nukleus Film, Bas Celik Film House<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inbetween Worlds<\/strong>, Diana Cam Van Nguyen, Czech Republic, Slovakia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: 13ka, nutprodukcia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marseille<\/strong>, Yim Brakel, Netherlands<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Labyrint Film<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meat<\/strong>, Rioghnach Ni Ghrioghair, Ireland<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Fantastic Films<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sentinel<\/strong>, Carl Joseph E. Papa, Philippines<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Project 8 Projects<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Something Strange Happened to Me<\/strong>, Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk,  Ukraine<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Mellivora Production<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The March of the Sunflowers<\/strong>, Erik Ricco, Brazil<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Cup Filmes, Coala Filmes, Tubz Studio<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Price of Gold<\/strong>, Eugen Jebeleanu, Romania<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: microFILM Romania<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Uganda Project<\/strong>, Daniel Mann, France, UK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Acqua Alta, La Bete, Laila UK <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strange Root<\/strong>, Lam Li Shuen, Mark Chua, Singapore, Indonesia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: 13 Little Pictures, Emoumie Pictures, Palari Films<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unidentified Actress<\/strong>, Ashim Ahuwalia, India, Germany<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Future East Film, Rapid Eye Movements<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CINEMART 2025 – IMMERSIVE SELECTIONS:<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dreams of Time<\/strong>, Jeissy Trompiz, Venezuela, Brazil<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Alamar Films, Migranta Films<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hyperdam<\/strong>, Floris van Laethem, Netherlands<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Dutch Digital Collectibles<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Charming Night<\/strong>, Robin Coops, Netherlands<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Studio Biarritz, Coops & Co<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strata<\/strong>, Lilian Hess, Luxembourg<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: a_BAHN<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DARKROOM 2025 SELECTIONS:<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Art Patron<\/strong>, Julia Thelin, Sweden, Denmark
Produced by: Grand Slam Film, Hyena Film<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bayaan<\/strong>, Bikas Ranjan Mishra, India<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Platoon One Films, Summit Studios<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bloques Err\u00e1ticos<\/strong>, Thomas Woodroffe, Chile, France, Argentina<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Fiebre, La Belle Affaire Productions, Un Puma<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dry Leaf<\/strong>, Alexandre Koberidze, Germany, Georgia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: New Matter Films<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Great Orator<\/strong>, Daniel Ernst, Netherlands (immersive)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: K.O Productions<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

La hiedra<\/strong>, Ana Cristina Barrag\u00e1n, Ecuador, Mexico, France, Spain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Boton Films, BHD Films, Cin\u00e9-Sud Promotion, Guspira Films<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kaktarua<\/strong>, Yudhajit Basu, Prithvijoy Ganguly, India, Taiwan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: The Victoria Foundation, U Turn Pictures, Betula Films<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last Night I Conquered the City of Thebes<\/strong>, Gabriel Azor\u00edn, Spain, Portugal<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: DVEIN Films, Filmika Galaika, Bando \u00e0 Parte<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The March<\/strong>, Leo Erken, Frieda Gustavs, Netherlands, Ukraine (immersive)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: nl12<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sorella di Clausura<\/strong>, Ivana Mladenovic, Romania, Serbia, Italy, Spain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Solomon, Dunav 84, Nightswim, Boogaloo Films<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tear Gas<\/strong>, Uta Beria, Georgia, France, Germany<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: 1991 Productions, Tripode Productions, 70 Steps<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wild Dogs Don’t Bite<\/strong>, Rati Oneli, Georgia, Luxembourg<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Produced by: Office of Film Architecture, Independent Film Project, Les Films Fauves<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact:<\/strong> IFFR@ddaglobal.com<\/u><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About IFFR<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

International Film Festival Rotterdam\u2019s (IFFR) upcoming 54th edition of the festival will take place from 30 January \u2013 9 February 2025, with the full programme being launched on 17th December 2024. IFFR presents a leading international film festival and year-round programme and actively supports new and adventurous filmmaking talent through its co-production market CineMart, its Hubert Bals Fund, Rotterdam Lab and other industry activities.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IFFR seeks to expand, enrich and challenge people\u2019s views of the world and each other through film and audiovisual arts. IFFR\u2019s programme deepens appreciation of cinema in all its forms, broadens and diversifies audiences, and creates opportunities for independent filmmakers and artists from around the globe.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through IFFR\u2019s visionary programming and forward-looking  initiatives, we create a haven for the plurality of voices, audiovisual formats and diverse storytelling. We are an essential destination for film professionals and film lovers. We support filmmakers and artists with funding and development opportunities and advance the impact of their work in the world. We are accessible to everyone. Through screenings, talks, exhibitions, education, professional initiatives and funding schemes we bring people from all backgrounds together, enabling discovery, recognition dialogue, learning and development. We look where others don\u2019t and we open a space for ideas, pushing creative boundaries that have the power to transform.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IFFR is supported by partners including Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap (OCW), Gemeente Rotterdam, Creative Europe Media, NL Film Fonds, Fonds 21, de Volkskrant and VriendenLoterij.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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