Rotterdam Film Festival Opens With Dutch Film and Highlights Global Cinema

The 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam showcases diverse voices, Dutch-industry prominence, and a focus on Indonesia and co-productions.

IFFR 2025 opened with the Dutch crime-comedy 'Fabula,' marking the first Dutch film to open the festival since 2019.
The festival emphasizes a balance between niche, avant-garde films and more mainstream, accessible cinema.
Indonesia features prominently with 17 films, including the closing night selection, 'This City Is a Battlefield,' a Dutch-Indonesian co-production.
New initiatives include the Displacement Film Fund, chaired by Cate Blanchett, to support filmmakers addressing displacement and refugee experiences.
Festival leadership highlighted challenges in cultural funding and the need to preserve Rotterdam's historic Cinerama theater.