IFFR, Fortissimo Films, TrustNordisk and Doc & Film create ‘IFFR Live’

‘Atlantic.’ confirmed as first title for live simultaneous screenings across Europe

International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) announced today a partnership with Fortissimo Films, TrustNordisk and Doc & Film International, creating a unique international film event, IFFR Live. A series of five film premieres to be held during the 44th International Film Festival Rotterdam and screened simultaneously in cinemas and on VOD across Europe, IFFR Live will give the audience the opportunity to experience the unique thrill of being part of a major international film festival. The first of the titles to be selected is from Dutch born writer/director Jan-Willem van Ewijk.

Jan-Willem van Ewijk will be in Rotterdam to present the film at its European premiere. The film stars Thekla Reuten (The American, In Bruges) and windsurfing champion Fettah Lamara, in his debut feature and is produced by Bero Beyer (Paradise Now, Salt of this Sea). Atlantic. began its development at CineMart in the co-production market in 2010. Further titles selected for IFFR Live are to be announced over the coming weeks. The 44th International Film Festival Rotterdam runs from January 21 to February 1 2015. Atlantic. will be released theatrically throughout the Netherlands on April 23 2015.

In addition to watching the film in theatres and online in countries ranging from the UK to Spain and Poland, audiences will be able to see the director and film team attend the premiere in Rotterdam and participate in a live Q&A session via Twitter. IFFR Live is designed to celebrate, enhance and expand the live festival experience of watching a film in the presence of the filmmaker and cast, through the use of new technologies and social media. It will maximise the potential of an innovative form of simultaneous release and cultivate collaboration between the film festival, sales agents, distributors and exhibitors helping bring high-quality artistic film to new audiences in a way that has never been done before.

On making the announcement IFFR Director Rutger Wolfson commented: “The way films are viewed is constantly evolving in the 21st Century. IFFR together with Fortissimo Films, TrustNordisk and Doc & Film International are committed to finding new and innovative ways to bring great films from talented filmmakers to as wide an audience as possible. Innovation and commitment to world cinema are cornerstones of IFFR, and IFFR Live exemplifies this, with all those involved dedicated to making it a success in its inaugural year and for many years to come.”

Jan-Willem van Ewijk added "I am extremely excited that Atlantic. will be part of IFFR Live programme. This will allow audiences across the continent to both watch the premiere of our ocean adventure about a young man dreaming of coming to Europe and to talk to us directly about why and how we made this film."

Fortissimo’s Managing Director, Nelleke Driessen added “IFFR Live fits with the Fortissimo family’s vision and dedication to supporting new and talented filmmakers and finding audiences for their films across the world. This is a very exciting partnership for all those involved and will serve to benefit international cinema in the short and long term.”

Atlantic. Synopsis

Young fisherman Fettah (Fettah Lamara) befriends many of the European windsurfers who visit his tiny village on the Moroccan Atlantic coast every summer. He has eagerly adopted their way of life and has become a talented windsurfer himself. When his European friends inevitably depart at the end of the summer season, they leave Fettah with an unbearable emptiness and dreams of a life far away from home.