IFFR 2025 unveils four Focus programmes highlighting underrepresented filmmakers and cultural legacies
The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has announced the first details of four unique Focus programmes for its 2025 edition. These programmes aim to spotlight underrepresented filmmakers, celebrate global cultural legacies, and explore the intersection of private and public film cultures, underscoring the festival’s commitment to showcasing visionary storytelling and socio-political reflection.
Festival Director Vanja Kaludjercic described the Focus programmes as “distinctive platforms where cinematic artistry meets socio-political discourse and cultural reflection.” The selections include retrospectives on two filmmakers—Katja Raganelli and Sergii Masloboishchykov—and thematic explorations of Afro-Asian cinema tied to the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, alongside a celebration of the communal spirit of VHS culture.
Katja Raganelli: Celebrating Women in Film
IFFR will honour Katja Raganelli, a Croatian-born German filmmaker whose documentaries on women’s contributions to cinema have largely disappeared from public access. This retrospective revives works like "Margery Wilson – Vom Stummfilmstar Hollywoods zur Filmregisseurin" (1996) and "Valie Export – Portrait einer Filmregisseurin" (1981). The programme will also feature complementary titles from filmmakers Raganelli portrayed, such as Agnès Varda and Márta Mészáros, presenting a comprehensive view of women’s evolving roles in filmmaking.
Sergii Masloboishchykov: Ukraine in Focus
Renowned Ukrainian filmmaker Sergii Masloboishchykov will be celebrated with the international premiere of "Yasa" (2023), alongside a retrospective including his debut fiction feature "Josephine, the Singer and the Mice People" (1994). His films, blending fiction and documentary, offer an intimate lens on Ukraine’s political and cultural evolution, from the Maidan protests to the ongoing war.
Revisiting the Bandung Spirit
Marking 70 years since the historic Bandung Conference, IFFR 2025 will delve into its impact on cinema from the Global South. This programme will feature works from the Afro-Asian Film Festival, held between 1958 and 1964, alongside films inspired by the Bandung spirit of unity and resistance. Panels and discussions will contextualize the era’s significance, underscoring the enduring relevance of these cultural and political movements.
Hold Video in Your Hands: VHS Culture
A programme celebrating VHS culture will feature Alex Ross Perry’s documentary "Videoheaven" and Rotterdam filmmaker Gyz La Rivière’s "Videotheek Marco." The exploration includes screenings like the Indian documentary "Videokaaran" (2011) and David Cronenberg’s latest, "The Shrouds" (2024). Interactive community projects will allow audiences to share personal home video stories, reconnecting the festival with the DIY creativity and unique viewing practices of VHS-era cinema.