International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2027, the 56th edition, runs 28 Jan-7 Feb

The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is one of Europe's major festivals for independent, experimental, and arthouse cinema, founded in June 1972 by Huub Bals. It is known for championing alternative and non-commercial filmmaking, with a long-standing focus on work from the Far East and developing countries, alongside cutting-edge media art and films from both emerging and established directors.

Dates and schedule. The 2027 edition is the festival's 56th, running from 28 January to 7 February 2027. Detailed day-by-day programming, the full film selection, and specific screening times for 2027 had not been published as of this writing; those typically follow in the weeks before the festival opens, alongside the festival's own catalogue and app.

Where it happens. IFFR spreads screenings across multiple venues in central Rotterdam rather than a single site. Confirmed core venues include De Doelen (the festival's hub, on Kruisplein, which also houses a ticket-support desk during the festival), Pathe Schouwburgplein, Cinerama, LantarenVenster (the direct successor to the festival's original 1972 venue), KINO, and WORM.

Other venues used in recent editions include Oude Luxor Theater, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, the Nieuwe Luxor, and Podium Islemunda. Note that Cinerama is not wheelchair accessible, while Pathe Schouwburgplein, Theater Rotterdam, Oude Luxor, KINO, WORM, LantarenVenster, Nieuwe Luxor, and Podium Islemunda are.

Tickets. Ticket sales details and pricing for the 2027 edition had not been published as of this writing; IFFR typically opens ticket sales in the weeks before the festival, through its own website. Beyond regular screenings, IFFR runs CineMart and BoostNL, co-production markets connecting filmmakers with financiers, and awards the VPRO Tiger Awards to young directors making their first or second feature; the Hubert Bals Fund supports filmmakers from developing countries.

Getting there. Rotterdam Centraal station is the main hub for reaching the festival by train, with most core venues (De Doelen, Pathe Schouwburgplein, LantarenVenster, WORM, KINO) within walking distance or a short tram ride of the centre. Because screenings run across many different buildings, allow time to move between venues when booking back-to-back films, especially given that some venues (like Cinerama) are less centrally accessible for wheelchair users.

Tips. Because full 2027 programming has not been announced yet, check IFFR's own website and key-dates page closer to the festival for the film selection, individual screening schedules, and ticket sale dates.

If attending multiple screenings across venues in one day, plan routes between De Doelen, Pathe Schouwburgplein, LantarenVenster, KINO, and WORM in advance, since travel time between venues eats into gaps between films. CineMart and BoostNL are separate industry-facing programmes rather than public screenings, so check accreditation requirements if trying to attend those specifically.