Between 25 January and 5 February 2023, more than 450 films from a hundred countries will be shown across Rotterdam. Long films, shorts, documentaries, animations, drama, fantasy, horror: every genre imaginable is represented in the packed programme. To choose a film, you can use the online Film Finder on www.iffr.com. Enter your preferences, watch and rate trailers and get tailored suggestions. You can buy tickets online from 20 January via www.iffr.com. There will also be some kiosks selling tickets during the festival.

Dining between Films

IFFR attracts Rotterdam locals and several thousand visitors from outside the city, including many international guests. It makes the city buzz for twelve days. Restaurants offer special IFFR menus, and there are parties in unusual places. Those who want a table in a restaurant during the festival should be prepared. The restaurants around the cinemas are popular, so early reservations are recommended!

De Doelen is the heart of the festival, and you can enjoy a bite to eat and a drink there at any time of the day. As the Doelen, Theatre Rotterdam Schouwburg and Nieuwe Luxor Theatre cluster around the Schouwburgplein, this square is a popular meeting place during the festival, with several restaurants offering tasty meals between films. A few tips: Bertmans, for amazing, mostly vegetarian dishes, served all day. Ayla, for shared dining and refreshing cocktails. Ox, if you fancy savouring contemporary Chinese cuisine underground. If you want to mingle with the filmmakers, pop into Café Floor or the Doelen Studio for a drink. For (local) Kaapse beers and Loopuyt-gin, stop by Kaapse Maria and Kaapse Will’ns.

Drinks and Dancing

If you leave the LantarenVenster with an appetite, try pop-up venue Dudok on the Maas, open especially for the festival. At Kop van Zuid you will also find excellent addresses such as Loetje steak restaurant and the iconic Hotel New York. If you cross the bridge to Katendrecht, you come to the vibrant Deliplein, where you can choose from numerous unique restaurants. Will it be Thai at Deli Bird, French at Bistrot du Bac or table d’hôtes at the charming Matroos en het Meisje?

Even if your film is playing at Kino, you don’t have to look far for food and drinks. Kino has a welcoming restaurant, Niko’s Resto, with excellent burgers on the menu. Or enjoy a sumptuous meal or a drink around the corner at addresses such as Rotown, Stalles and Spaghetteria. The area around the Cinerama is bursting with options; the lively nightlife street Witte de Withstraat is close by. Apart from restaurants, you will also find plenty of bars open late after your film. La Bru, Wunderbar and Supermercado are places where locals and international visitors meet. Not had enough yet?

Club IFFR at Theatre Rotterdam Schouwburg has live music, DJs and a dance floor full of film enthusiasts until late at night on Friday and Saturday. Your film ticket gives you free entry!