Rotterdam Film Festival Unveils Feminist Program for 60th NOW Anniversary

The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has announced a new feminist Focus program titled “The Future Is NOW,” coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the National Organization for Women (NOW). The festival, scheduled to take place from January 29 to February 8, 2024, is set to explore women’s contributions to cinema through a blend of classic films and world premieres. Organizers herald this initiative as a pivotal moment in the journey of both the Civil Rights movement and Second Wave Feminism.

This year’s program will feature a diverse array of films that emphasize the stories of women from various periods and backgrounds. According to festival organizers, the selections will highlight creators, countries, and practices that have often been overlooked, with a strong focus on animation. Themes will encompass education, community, and personal histories, while also addressing topics such as sex, religion, and the very essence of cinema.

Highlighting Unique Voices in Women’s Cinema

A key element of the lineup is the premiere of Three Ways of Returning, an omnibus film that includes autobiographical essays by directors Xiaolu Guo, Andrea Luka Zimmerman, and Mania Akbari. This work delves deeply into themes of alienation and the quest for belonging. Complementing this, Josephine Ahnelt presents Wellen Wende, a documentary that contrasts postpartum experiences among women, drawing parallels with classic discussions found in Kathleen Shannon and Irene Angelico’s short film …and They Lived Happily Ever After (1975).

The program also includes notable works such as Interview (1979) by Caroline Leaf and Veronika Soul, and Casting Tapes (2020) by Ulrike Putzer and Matthias van Baaren. These films provide critical reflections on the challenges faced by women in a predominantly male filmmaking landscape.

Jennifer Lynde Barker, co-curator of the feminist focus lineup, emphasized the importance of this program in showcasing artistic expressions that diverge from the mainstream. “The Future Is NOW features artistic approaches outside the mainstream with a particular focus on animation as a rich source of creative output for women from the 1960s to the present,” she stated. Barker further noted that the program aims to illuminate significant insights and narratives that articulate the complexities of being a woman in today’s world, as well as the transformative experiences of the past six decades.

Broader Context of IFFR 2024

In addition to the feminist program, the IFFR also revealed its initial selections for the Cinema Regained section, which aims to showcase recent restorations and provide new perspectives on cinematic history. Among the highlighted restorations is The Thing in the Coffin, an avant-garde interpretation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula by Hungarian filmmaker Péter Lichter, set to debut at IFFR 2026. Another notable entry is Mickey & Richard, a documentary celebrating the life of 1980s gay porn star Mickey Squires.

Restorations featured in this year’s festival will include Tracing to Expo ’70 by Liao Hsiang-hsiung, which combines musical, travelogue, and mystery elements, and Tiki Tiki (1971) by Gerald Potterton, described as a whimsical meta-movie. Additional restorations are expected from Brazil, Mexico, and the Czech Republic.

Festival director Vanja Kaludjercic remarked on the significance of both “The Future Is NOW” and Cinema Regained, stating, “With The Future Is NOW, we revisit a formative moment in the history of feminist movements and follow strands of women’s filmmaking – both historical and contemporary – that have often remained at the margins.” She underscored the festival’s commitment to rediscovering cinematic works and histories that deserve greater recognition in the ongoing dialogue about film.

As IFFR gears up for its 55th edition, the spotlight on women’s contributions to cinema promises to enrich the festival’s narrative, ensuring that diverse voices and stories continue to resonate within the film industry.