IFFR 2025: ‘You might find yourself casually having a drink next to an Oscar-winning director’

Kirstin Feberwee is a culture program maker for Studium Generale.

“I have attended the IFFR every year since my student days. A couple of years ago, I watched 24 films in ten days!

“What I’m looking forward to the most is the festival’s vibe: it’s full of like-minded people. It’s not just about sitting down in Cinerama or Kino to watch films; the atmosphere transforms. Strangers start talking even without knowing each other. The parties happening at night are also a must-go. One year, I ended up dancing with the head of the university! That’s the magic of IFFR; it breaks down barriers. Everyone feels like equals, and you might find yourself casually having a drink next to an Oscar-winning director – it would feel normal.

“Watching a film at a festival feels different, being among the first to see a film gives it a special energy. At the IFFR you get to rate each film, which makes you feel like your opinion really matters. Sometimes, a festival favourite can find its way to cinemas just because of its popularity there.

“When I select the films I want to watch, I check all the films that are set to premiere later in cinemas, and I eliminate them. If I watch them all now, I’ll have nothing left to watch at the cinema later in the year!”

Fraser Robinson is a lecturer for the department of Media and Communication.

“I go to the cinema two or three times a week, and at home I mostly watch older films on DVD. Once I’m finished with a DVD, I drop it off in my neighborhood’s sharing box.

“I watch a lot of films at IFFR; sometimes I’ll squeeze in three in one night. Everything is within a five-minute reach, so I’ll simply cycle back and forth between Kino and Pathé. I love zooming out of one screening and going to another one.

“I mainly enjoy going to the IFFR Pro sessions, where professionals discuss the film industry. It’s interesting for my research and teaching. This year, I’m planning to attend a discussion on diversity and another one on editing.

“IFFR has a great selection, it brings films from other parts of Europe and Asia and has a playful approach to experimental cinema. It’s the kind of place where I know I’ll discover filmmakers I’d never have the chance to see otherwise.

“This year, IFFR has a program about VHS, and I’m really excited about it. For someone who grew up with video stores, I know it’s going to bring back nostalgia.”

Lilla Demecs is volunteering at the IFFR and completing her master in Media and Creative Industries.

“I will be volunteering as an assistant location manager at Cinerama. My job is to make sure everything runs smoothly: ensuring the ticket scanners are in the right place, checking the sound, and making sure everything is perfectly coordinated.

“I chose to volunteer because I want to work in the cinema industry, and this feels like a good opportunity to get some practical work. If I make a good impression, I might be able to come back next year, and who knows, I might make nice connections.

“I’m really looking forward to Cate Blanchett’s talk. The tickets sold out immediately, but I’m hoping I’ll be able to sneak in. I’m skipping a whole week of class for the festival, but honestly, I think it’s worth it.”

Maria Spyrelli is a communication intern at the IFFR and is completing her master in Media and Creative Industries.

“When I started my internship, one of my tasks was to request publicity material for the films – things like posters and trailers. So far, 110 films have sent in their posters for the festival, and our volunteers have been putting them up in cinemas all over the city. Every time I see a poster, I immediately want to watch the film. It’s a bit of a problem when you’re surrounded by posters all day!

“I’m excited to watch this short film called Yuck! from a French director. It’s part of the education program, so I’ll probably be surrounded by kids. But I loved the trailer, so who cares?

“One thing I’ve noticed is that people tend to stay in the city center during the festival, which is a shame. This year in Rotterdam West, the Katoenhuis will host an immersive art exhibition in partnership with IFFR. This is the fun of the festival; not everything is about film, it’s a celebration of all kinds of art.”

Roderik is an assistant professor in the department of Media & Communication.

“I want to see films that speak about concerns in our daily lives and have a clear message about our society. It’s even better when they’re set outside of Europe; I like seeing perspectives that are completely different from my own. I think I’ll find that with films like Macai, a Malaysian production, and ¡Caigan las rosas blancas!, a road trip film set in Argentina. It’s okay if a film is mainstream, as long as it makes me rethink how we live I’m satisfied.

“The first time I attended IFFR was about fifteen years ago; it was to interview an industry professional for my master’s thesis. We met in a fancy rooftop bar where a lot of cinema professionals hang out, and I felt like an outsider. But when I talked to these professionals, I realised IFFR also brings together a community of local and international industry professionals. There was a lot to find out, and my six-months thesis turned into a four-years PhD.”