428 Films, 10 Awards: What to Expect at IFFR 2026
The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is set to take place from 29 January to 8 February 2026, across the vibrant city of Rotterdam.
The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is set to take place from 29 January to 8 February 2026, across the vibrant city of Rotterdam. The festival has unveiled its full lineup, including selections for its prestigious Tiger Competition, Big Screen Competition, and Tiger Short Competition, along with the opening and closing films.
According to the festival’s website, approximately 428 feature films and shorts will be screened throughout the event, with screenings and related activities taking place across 16 venues in Rotterdam. The programme includes 211 world premieres, 47 international premieres, and 23 European premieres. IFFR 2026 will open with the world premiere of the Portuguese feature Providence and the Guitar by João Nicolau. Inspired by a short novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, the film follows Leon and Elvira, two performers trying to keep their stage careers afloat.
The festival will close with the world premiere of the crime comedy Bazaar (Murder in the Building), directed by Rémi Bezançon, and starring Laetitia Casta, Gilles Lellouche, and Guillaume Gallienne.
IFFR 2026 will feature 10 award categories, each designed to recognize outstanding achievements in cinema across a range of disciplines. The festival’s most prominent awards include the Big Screen Competition, where the winning filmmaker(s) will be honored with the Big Screen Award and a €15,000 cash prize. In addition, the festival will offer €15,000 to the Dutch distributor who acquires the rights to distribute the winning film in the Netherlands, further encouraging local film distribution.
The Tiger Competition will showcase some of the most exciting global talent, with the Tiger Award going to the winning filmmaker. This award comes with a €40,000 cash prize, which is shared between the director and producer of the film. The competition will also recognize two filmmakers with Special Jury Awards, each worth €10,000, for exceptional artistic achievement.
For short films, the Tiger Short Competition will celebrate films ranging from 1 up to 63 minutes in length. Three Tiger Short Awards, each worth €5,000, will be given to the best shorts from around the world.
In addition to these prestigious categories, the festival will present a variety of other awards, including the Audience Award, FIPRESCI Award, KNF Award, NETPAC Award, Robby Müller Award, Youth Jury Award, and IFFR Pro Awards, highlighting the diversity and creativity of filmmakers from all corners of the globe.
