The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), now in its 55th edition, is actively challenging the perception that it exclusively features "edgy and unconventional cinema." According to festival director Vanja Kaludjercic, this perception captures only a part of the festival's true essence. IFFR aims to present a wide spectrum of films, from the most avant-garde to the most popular, and actively supports a diverse range of cinematic works, recognizing its responsibility as the largest cinema-related event in the Netherlands to engage a broad audience, including those new to film or even very young children.

Accessibility and community engagement are paramount to IFFR's mission. Initiatives such as the Baby Film Club cater to children as young as six months, while the IFFR Education team provides programming for thousands of students. Managing director Clare Stewart emphasizes the festival's collaborative efforts with various communities, including skaters and refugees, and its commitment to "placemaking" – integrating the event into the diverse fabric of Rotterdam. This strategy is further evidenced by the launch of the Displacement Film Fund and CineMart's Safe Harbour program, which supports projects in development from emerging filmmakers who have experienced displacement or forced migration. These initiatives aim to create opportunities, raise awareness, and support cinema from regions with limited access to funding or challenging political conditions.

IFFR also champions discovery through unique encounters and a curated selection of cinematic "gems." Its popular Big Talks feature unexpected pairings of notable filmmakers and actors, such as Kleber Mendonça Filho with Carla Simón, or Valeria Golino with Hiam Abbass, fostering intriguing dialogues and fresh perspectives. The festival remains a "programmers' festival," dedicated to uncovering exceptional independent films. Furthermore, IFFR continues to evolve its engagement with art, with the Exploding Cinema segment transitioning to commissioned works by high-profile artists like Steve McQueen. The festival also celebrates 30 years of Art Directions and explores immersive works through pieces like "Krakatoa" and the Reality Check conference, cherishing the freedom of formats and forms offered to artists, where creative boundaries are fluid and intermingling.

Among the noteworthy films at this year's festival is "A Fading Man," making its world premiere in the prestigious Tiger Competition. Directed by Welf Reinhart in his feature debut, the film delicately explores the complexities of Alzheimer's disease through the lens of a love story. It centers on a married couple whose lives are disrupted by the arrival of the wife's former husband, suffering from dementia and convinced they are still together. Reinhart, who conducted extensive research including training as a dementia caregiver, aimed to capture the dual nature of Alzheimer's – its tragic and often unintentionally comical aspects – while focusing on themes of love, friendship, forgiveness, mutual responsibility, and intimacy. Bendita Film Sales, which has boarded the film, praises its emotional intelligence and deeply human narrative.

Another highlight is João Nicolau’s “Providence and the Guitar,” chosen as the opening film and presented concurrently in five screening rooms. Nicolau views this as both a "great responsibility" and an "immense joy," commending IFFR for its courageous decision to platform his film, which he describes as "riskier cinema" and a "smaller production." The film, adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s short story, follows traveling artists León and Elvira, blending period settings with contemporary sequences featuring them as punk rockers. Nicolau, an amateur musician, incorporates original compositions into the film, emphasizing music's central role in human existence. Despite a limited budget and being an entirely Portuguese production, the film leverages creative choices to explore the richness of language and the enduring desire for human connection, further demonstrating IFFR's commitment to diverse storytelling and artistic innovation.