IFFR announces new section ‘Limelight’ within streamlined official selection

The 44th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) will present a new, regular programme section under the title ‘Limelight’. This selection of thirty films will be made up of new, original and striking films by talented directors of contemporary cinema which are set to be released in cinemas across the Netherlands following the 44th IFFR which runs from January 21 to February 1 2015.

Directors or other guests of the selected films will attend IFFR and present their films to the audience in the same fashion as with all major sections of the Festival. Through Limelight, IFFR will cultivate existing close relationships with Dutch distributors and filmmakers as it continues in its commitment to supporting the release of high quality feature films in the Netherlands and internationally.
The Hivos Tiger Awards Competition and regular programme sections Bright Future (for debut or second films by up-and-coming talent) and ‘Spectrum’ (innovative and important work by more established film auteurs) will remain largely unchanged as well as the recently initiated The Big Screen Award.

Within the Bright Future and Spectrum sections a distinction will be introduced between the premieres (films receiving their world or international premieres in Rotterdam) and a selection of highlights from other film festivals. The total number of feature films presented in these main sections will be reduced by twenty percent from previous years to ensure that all selected films receive the utmost attention. This will allow industry professionals as well as the general public to see as many of the films as possible that they prioritise within the programme. This structure brings obvious advantages to filmmakers, film professionals and festival visitors alike, enabling all to better navigate the extensive high quality programming screened by the Festival.
During the coming months, IFFR will announce its Signals programmes. As always, these will contain themed programmes, special focusses, retrospectives and cooperations with other organisations.

On making the announcement IFFR Director Rutger Wolfson commented: "We at the IFFR are constantly looking at new and innovative ways to develop the Festival. This new section together with our re-vamped structure is part of our constant effort to improve how we present the films in our program to sales agents, producers, distributors, filmmakers and audiences in the best possible way. We know all attending the festival will benefit hugely from this."

44th International Film Festival Sections:
- Hivos Tiger Awards Competition: Fifteen films by new film authors compete for the festival’s three main awards.
- Tiger Awards Competition for Short Films: Short films have their own competition, which is not just for young and upcoming talents; all filmmakers have a chance at winning.
- Bright Future Premieres: Approximately twenty-five world or international premieres. First or second feature films by individual new talent.
- Bright Future: Striking films by new talent from the past year. First or second feature films.
- Spectrum Premieres: Established names from the art of filmmaking present their premieres in Rotterdam.
- Spectrum: Essential films by renowned filmmakers.
- Limelight: Exceptional premieres of films we can expect in Dutch art-house cinemas later in the year.
- Signals: a series of thematic programmes and retrospectives offering insight in topical as well as timeless ideas within cinema.


Press information IFFR via Press Office, Jodie de Groot, [email protected], +31 10 8909090+31 10 8909090