International Film Festival Rotterdam Unveils 2026 CineMart Selections

The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has announced its lineup for the 43rd edition of CineMart, featuring 21 selected feature projects and 10 works-in-progress for the Darkroom platform. The event will take place from February 1 to 4, 2026. Marten Rabarts, head of IFFR Pro, emphasized the urgency of the selected narratives, which address themes such as war, displacement, climate change, and identity struggles, while showcasing a variety of genres including sci-fi, horror, and musicals.

Hollywood Reporter

Among the notable projects is "The Dispute," a comedy directed by debut U.S. filmmakers Andrea Ellsworth and Kasey Elise Walker, which has been acquired for development by Riley Keough’s Felix Culpa and Donald Glover’s Gilga. The film follows two best friends from South Central Los Angeles who embark on a chaotic adventure, ultimately confronting the consequences of their choices. Other significant selections include "Worse Together," a Canadian exploration of trans friendship by Luis De Filippis, and "Beirut Baby," directed by Lebanese artists Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige.

Variety Magazine

The lineup also features a diverse array of international filmmakers, such as Lê Bao from Vietnam with "Hearing," Kang Bo from China with "Kingdom of the Insomniacs," and Morad Mostafa from Egypt with "Animals," which is set against the backdrop of war in Russia.

Variety Magazine

The Darkroom platform will showcase nearly completed films seeking funding and festival exposure. Noteworthy projects include "Marina," a coming-of-age drama by Brazilian filmmakers Laís Santos Araújo and Pethrus Tibúrcio, and "The Hummingbird Paints Fragrant Songs," a hybrid documentary by Èlia Gasull Balada and Matteo Norzi.

Variety Magazine

In addition to the CineMart and Darkroom selections, IFFR is introducing Lightroom, a new industry platform dedicated to immersive storytelling. This initiative aims to consolidate XR, VR, and interactive projects, enhancing visibility and development pathways for innovative audiovisual formats.

Hollywood Reporter

Marten Rabarts remarked on the significance of this year's selections, stating, “Balancing breakthrough talent and celebrated auteurs at the height of their careers, this year’s selections underline CineMart’s role as a place where discovery and established filmmaking meet.” He highlighted the festival's commitment to addressing urgent global issues through cinema.

Hollywood Reporter

While the festival's focus on diverse narratives has been praised, some critics argue that the emphasis on urgent social themes may overshadow more traditional storytelling methods. Concerns have been raised about the potential for such narratives to become formulaic or overly didactic.

Hollywood Reporter

The IFFR Pro Awards will be presented on February 4, recognizing outstanding projects from the CineMart and Darkroom selections. The full details of the Lightroom projects will be announced in December, alongside a symposium discussing the future of immersive storytelling.

Hollywood Reporter

• “The urgency is palpable: from stories grappling with war and displacement to narratives exploring climate change, queerness and the struggle to define and preserve identities in turbulent times, all amongst bold cinematic creativity and forays into genres including sci-fi, horror and musical.” — Marten Rabarts, Head of IFFR Pro

Variety Magazine

• “Lightroom strengthens IFFR’s long-running commitment to innovative audiovisual formats by offering a clearer pathway for development, visibility, and exchange.” — IFFR Statement

Hollywood Reporter