Rotterdam Film Festival Unveils Feminist Program for NOW’s 60th

The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has announced a new feminist program titled “The Future Is NOW” to mark the 60th anniversary of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Organizers emphasize that this initiative represents a significant moment in both the Civil Rights movement and Second Wave Feminism. The festival will take place from January 29 to February 8, 2024, during its 55th edition.

The program will examine women’s cinema across various eras, featuring a mix of classic films and world premieres. According to festival organizers, “The Future Is NOW” aims to highlight underrepresented authors, countries, and cinematic practices, particularly in animation. It will explore themes such as education, community, history, as well as topics linked to sex, religion, and the art of film itself.

Among the premieres is Three Ways of Returning, an omnibus project featuring contributions from directors Xiaolu Guo, Andrea Luka Zimmerman, and Mania Akbari. This film presents three autobiographical narratives centered on alienation and the quest for belonging. Another notable entry is Wellen Wende by Josephine Ahnelt, a documentary engaging in conversations about postpartum experiences, echoing discussions found in classic works like the 1975 short film …and They Lived Happily Ever After by Kathleen Shannon, Irene Angelico, and Anne Henderson.

The lineup also includes Interview (1979) by Caroline Leaf and Veronika Soul, along with Casting Tapes (2020) by Ulrike Putzer and Matthias van Baaren. These films are described as explorations of what it means to be a woman in an industry largely dominated by men.

Highlighting Women’s Contributions in Film

Jennifer Lynde Barker, co-curator of the feminist focus lineup, expressed that the program seeks to showcase artistic expressions that fall outside mainstream narratives. “The Future Is NOW features artistic approaches outside the mainstream with a particular focus on animation as a rich source of creative output for women from the 1960s to the present,” Barker stated. She added that the program will provide essential narratives about the female experience and humanity over the past six decades.

In addition to the feminist program, IFFR has also revealed its first selections for Cinema Regained, which showcases recent restorations and works that offer fresh perspectives on cinematic history. Among the premieres scheduled for IFFR 2026 is The Thing in the Coffin, a reinterpretation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula by Hungarian avant-garde filmmaker Péter Lichter, as well as Mickey & Richard, a documentary celebrating ’80s gay porn icon Mickey Squires.

Restorations to be featured include Tracing to Expo ’70 by Liao Hsiang-hsiung, an exploration of the first world exposition held in Asia, and Tiki Tiki (1971) by Gerald Potterton, which presents a surreal blend of live-action and animation. Additional restorations will represent works from Brazil, Mexico, and the Czech Republic.

Vanja Kaludjercic, festival director at IFFR, emphasized the importance of both “The Future Is NOW” and “Cinema Regained” in re-evaluating cinema’s past. “These initiatives reflect how IFFR approaches cinema: by returning to works and histories that deserve a more attentive place in the conversation,” Kaludjercic remarked. She noted that the feminist program revisits pivotal moments in women’s filmmaking, highlighting works that have often remained marginalized across various contexts and time periods.

As the festival approaches, both the feminist program and the Cinema Regained selections promise to offer audiences a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of women’s contributions to film and the evolving landscape of cinema itself.