25 Encounters: Book presentation

Our special edition 25 Encounters is a mosaic narrative about the magic of film, captured in 25 conversations between filmmakers and artists, journalists and visitors, activists and academics, students and cinephiles, volunteers and IFFR's employees. On Friday 24 June, we will present 25 Encounters to the public at Rotterdam bookstore Donner – an afternoon moderated by Ernest van der Kwast with a panel of filmmakers from the special edition and a live 26th Encounter between festival director Vanja Kaludjercic and IDFA director Orwa Nyrabia.

The book presentation starts off with a conversation – a 26th and final Encounter – between festival director Vanja Kaludjercic and IDFA director Orwa Nyrabia about their experience running film festivals in the Netherlands that have international reach. This conversation is moderated by programmer and long-time IFFR fan Ernest van der Kwast. There will also be a panel with filmmakers James Scott, Mary Stephen, Tsitsi Dangarembga and Rotterdam cinephile Alex Mekking, each of their respective Encounters are found in the special edition. After the panel there will be drinks in total IFFR fashion to close off the event.

25 Encounters
In this special publication many friends of the festival make an appearance including former IFFR director Bero Beyer who meets film producer Christine Vachon (Boys Don’t Cry, 1999 and Carol, 2015) on the future of film festivals in the continuously evolving film industry. And of course filmmakers and festival regulars like Olivier Assayas, known for Irma Vep during IFFR 1997 and Personal Shopper during IFFR 2017, Mijke de Jong who had her physical premiere of Along the Way during IFFR 2022 and Apichatpong Weerasethakul who is known for acclaimed IFFR features such as Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, 2010 and Memoria, 2021. 

Programme
15.30  Doors open
16.00  Opening by Ernest van der Kwast
16.10  Encounter #26: Vanja Kaludjercic & Orwa Nyrabia
16.25  25 Encounters presentation
16.30  Panel with James Scott, Mary Stephen, Tsitsi Dangarembga and Alex Mekking
16.50  Closing
17:00  Drinks

Tickets are available for free.

Please note: capacity is limited, so make sure to get your tickets now!

Friday, 24 June, 15:30, Donner bookstore