Latest Tweets
JAN 23-FEB 3, 2019
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
IFFR is one of the largest audience- and industry-driven film festivals in the world. During the 12 festival days, hundreds of filmmakers and other artistes present their work. The festival’s Official Selection includes more than 500 feature, mid-length and short films from over 50 countries. It aims to organise and stimulate film-related activities in Rotterdam.
The mission of the festival is to represent the strength and impact of independent films, filmmakers and film-related art. It also aims to coach, finance, distribute and support filmmakers through the Hubert Bals Fund (HBF), the annual co-production market (CineMart) and various forms of training provided to filmmakers through the Rotterdam Lab.
OPENING NIGHT
Dirty God
A young London mother Jade (Vicky Night) must rebuild her life following an acid attack, although she hardly dares look in the mirror. Sacha Polak’s powerful portrait of a complex woman retains the intensity of her previous features, Hemel and Zurich.
SECTIONS
The films at the festival are curated across four sections:
Bright Future
This section is dedicated to young and emerging film talent with their own distinct style and vision. Most of the filmmakers in this section are presenting their films for the first time on the international film scene. Some of the films featured in this section include:
The Day I Lost My Shadow
The Load
Van Ver Staat Het Stil
Voices
As the name suggests, each film in this section brings a certain viewpoint on the world by its maker. These films are driven by powerful stories, captivating subjects and important themes. Some of the films confirmed for this section are:
Memories Of My Body
Tel Aviv On Fire
Ombligo De Agua
Deep Focus
This section explores and celebrates the world of cinema and film art through compilations, retrospectives, restored classics and more. The confirmed films in this section are:
I Diari Di Angela – Noi Due Cineaste
Pwdre Ser: The Rot Of Stars
Perspectives
It is the section where the festival’s main thematic programmes are presented. Relevant social and political issues are explored in cinema. It includes features, shorts, art installations, talks and more.
SHORT FILMS
This is one of the largest short films programmes in Europe. The works presented in the section are restricted to a single format. From 3D to 35mm film, film and video in all their forms are part of IFFR Short Film. Here are some of the films that will be screened:
The Blood of Stars
Walled Unwalled
Acid Rain
I Got My Things And Left
INDIA CONNECT
Widow Of Silence
Written and directed by Praveen Morchhale, the film is set in a conflict-ridden Kashmir. A Muslim half-widow – a woman whose husband is missing; Aasia (Shilpi Marwaha) is a nurse. She works hard to support her 11-year-old daughter and sick mother-in-law. She has been trying to get her husband’s death certificate but has failed to due to a corrupt civil servant.
TIGER COMPETITION
An international jury chooses a winner from eight nominated films. The Tiger Award is accompanied by a €40,000 cash prize, which is shared between the director and producer of the winning film. A Special Jury Award worth €10,000 is also presented for an exceptional artistic achievement within the competition.
OTHER COMPETITIONS & AWARDS
Found Footage Award
Worth €2,500, this award is supported by the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision. A special jury picks a filmmaker who has made outstanding use of archive material.
NETPAC Award
The best Asian feature film is selected by a jury from the Network of the Promotion of Asian Cinema.
FIPRESCI Award
It is presented by the jury of the Fédération Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique (FIPRESCI) to the director of a film from the Bright Future section. The jury consists of international film journalists.
– Padma Iyer
