International Film Festival Rotterdam

Rotterdam, 7 April 2022

The winner gets €20,000 and will have their film screened at IFFR 2023

For the third consecutive year, International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) presents RTM Pitch, a talent development scheme in collaboration with the municipality of Rotterdam. As of today, creative Rotterdam-based filmmakers can submit their plans for a short film with the city at its heart. The winning filmmaker receives €20,000 to produce the film as well as professional coaching. The film will premiere at IFFR 2023.

RTM Pitch is an initiative of IFFR and the municipality’s Rotterdam Film Media Office aimed at promoting talent development in Rotterdam.Today, outgoing Alderman for Education, Culture and Tourism Said Kasmi officially announced the open call during the RTM: Makers' session, an afternoon of workshops and panels organised by IFFR for local filmmakers at LantarenVenster. 

IFFR managing director Marjan van der Haar: “IFFR remains committed to talented filmmakers from our own city. The winners of the two previous editions, Katarina Jazbec and Lavinia Xausa, are powerful examples of the creative forces that can be found in Rotterdam. I am extremely proud to offer Rotterdam-based creators a chance to realise their cinematic visions and develop their skills through this third edition of RTM Pitch.”

Outgoing alderman Said Kasmi: “This collaboration between the municipality and IFFR means a boost for the local film sector. The city believes local film talent should be supported, especially at this formative time for the sector. We are glad to provide €20,000 to the winner of this year’s RTM Pitch.”

From left to right: Katarina Jazbec, Said Kasmi and Lavinia Xausa at the RTM: Makers' session

RTM Pitch is part of RTM, an IFFR programme which puts the city of Rotterdam in the spotlight. Katarina Jazbec won the first edition of RTM Pitch with her film You Can’t Automate Me (2021). Lavinia Xausa’s So Loud the Sky Can Hear Us (2022) won the second edition. 

Filmmakers can submit their film plan via the IFFR website until 7 June 2022. An independent jury consisting of a Rotterdam-based film expert and a number of IFFR short-film programmers will review the submissions. The winner will be announced early July.