International Film Festival Rotterdam
The IFFR or International Film Festival Rotterdam is an annual festival in Rotterdam.
IFFR logo
Famously, seventeen people attended the opening night of the first Film International Rotterdam on June 28, 1972.
An initiative of the Rotterdam Arts Foundation, Film International (later: International Film Festival Rotterdam) showcased films purchased for distribution to the newly established circuit of art house cinemas in The Netherlands.
For the 1973 edition, the festival moved its dates to February and attracted over 7,000 visitors.
Driving force, famous figurehead and inspirational director until his early death in 1988, Hubert Bals gave the festival its solid reputation of commitment to and active support of independent cinema as well as of a welcoming meeting place for filmmakers, audiences, film professionals and film critics.
Under the subsequent directorships of Anne Head (1989), Marco Müller (1990-1991), Emile Fallaux (1992-1996), Simon Field (1996-2004), Sandra den Hamer (2000-2007) and currently Rutger Wolfson, the IFFR grew out to become one the largest audience driven film festivals in the world, while maintaining its focus on innovative filmmaking by talented newcomers and established auteurs as well as on presenting cutting edge media art.
V2_ has been part of the IFFR's satellite program since 1995, with an event or installation in the V2_space.
