Free films
In the small auditorium of Theater Rotterdam on Schouwburgplein, a free music documentary is shown daily (see the full programme here). This constant feature on the annual programme is called ‘Scopitone’. The theme for this year is social backgrounds. Follow the Russian rapper Anton who tours Eastern Europe as Antoha MC, drag kids Stephan (9), Jason (11) and Bracken (11) or Jagari who was once the best-known rock star in Zambia and who now works as a miner.
Got a RotterdamPas? If so, you can get one free last-minute ticket at every show. Thirty minutes before the film starts, go to the ticket office of the cinema or theatre where it’s being shown and hope that there’s still a ticket going.
Art and party
Besides watching films, you can also view art during the IFFR. In De Doelen there’s a kind of waiting room in which short films are shown, but you can also visit the Nieuwe Instituut, V2 and the S/ASH Gallery to admire free IFFR art.
Don’t forget those famous parties in the Schouwburg, which are held every evening. Every day, the foyer is transformed into Club IFFR. You can only get into this party evening if you have a film ticket from that day. In practice, however, there are very few checks, only later in the evening and when it’s already very busy. Otherwise, you may find printed tickets floating around in the cinemas and you can always pop into Cinerama Filmtheater and Kino for a drink. These are open from early in the morning to late in the evening. On Fridays, though, you will need a ticket for the party in Kino.
EUR events
Do you know all about films? If so, the film quiz at Studium Generale might be the place for you. Groups must consist of a maximum of five people and it’s free to take part. The monthly talk show at Erasmus University is all about films. Culture theoretician Tamara de Groot will be discussing whether films like Black Panther (2018) can cause social change. Not free, but specially organised for students and staff at Erasmus University: the EUR@IFFR Film Night with Boyz in the Wood and the annual Tiger College with a talk by philosopher Yogi Hendlin preceding the thriller Little Joe.
Student discount
According to the IFFR, student life is expensive enough, so students get a student discount for long and medium-long films. Four euros are deducted from the price, so you only pay eight euros for a ticket.
