Rotterdam Film Festival Introduces Support Program for Stateless and At-Risk Filmmakers
The 2026 edition of the Rotterdam Film Festival, scheduled for February 1-4, will feature a new initiative titled Safe Harbour, aimed at assisting filmmakers who are stateless or at risk. This program will be a part of the festival’s industry-focused events.
Vanja Kaluderjcic, the Festival Director of IFFR, expressed that the launch of Safe Harbour signifies a significant advancement in the festival’s mission to aid filmmakers facing substantial barriers in securing funding and opportunities. This initiative highlights IFFR’s ongoing commitment to nurturing talent under challenging circumstances.
The program has already chosen four projects in their early stages from writers, directors, and artists identified as at-risk or stateless. These individuals will participate in the CineMart co-production market at Rotterdam. The festival organizers plan to arrange a custom series of meetings for the participants with producers, funding bodies, industry partners, and supporters. To prepare, the selected filmmakers will receive online mentoring and attend an in-person workshop prior to CineMart. The aim is to equip them with enhanced project materials ready for market presentation.
Projects Selected for Safe Harbour
The four projects selected to be part of Safe Harbour include:
- The Beer Girl In Yangon, directed by Sein Lyan Tun from Myanmar and produced by KawanKawan Media (Indonesia), In Vivo Films (France), Loaded Films (Japan), Momo Film Co (Singapore), and Daluyong Studios (Philippines).
- Hidden Journey, directed by Noura Adil from Sudan and produced by Weika Production Ltd. (Sudan & Rwanda).
- Last Trip, directed by Ziad Kalthoum from Syria and produced by Mayana Films (Germany), Tiresias Films (France), and Endorfina Studio (Poland).
- Shall We Meet Again?, directed by Amjad Sokkar and Woroud Alqassas from Palestine/Gaza and produced by Dessi Films (Egypt).
Kaluderjcic also remarked on the broader scope of IFFR Pro this edition, emphasizing the festival’s reinforced commitment to fostering a diverse and resilient global film industry. This commitment is reflected in the introduction of new initiatives such as Lightroom, CineMart x HBF, and the Creators Lab, which builds upon the success of the renowned Rotterdam Lab producers’ workshop that has been influential for over 25 years.
The Safe Harbour program was developed in collaboration with the International Emerging Film Talent Fund (IEFTF), a philanthropic organization based in Athens.
The 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam is set to take place from January 29 to February 8, promising an enriching and supportive environment for filmmakers around the world.
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