International Film Festival Rotterdam announces line-up of speakers

IFFR Talks line-up including Hélène Louvart, Albert Serra, Steve McQueen, ICFR and Girls on Film

International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) welcomes a series of special guests to the IFFR Talks program during its 52nd edition. The lineup includes: acclaimed French cinematographer Hélène Louvart and 2023 Robby Müller Award winner, Pacificition director Albert Serra, Steve McQueen, who presents his latest artwork Sunshine State at IFFR, the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk and a discussion led by Girls on Film, a film podcast from a female perspective.

Festival director Vanja Kaludjercic: “The IFFR Talks program brings together filmmakers, artists and the public for in-depth discussions. In addition, the program offers essential space for dialogue about important issues facing contemporary society. We reflect on recent and less recent developments in the Indian politics and, in collaboration with De Balie, we discuss labor rights and raw material scarcity. We also discuss the importance of the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk, which stands up for filmmakers in countries such as Turkey and Iran.”

IFFR 2023 presents a series of Talks including filmmakers Stanya Kahn, arc, and Yuasa Masaaki from the Focus programme. Steve McQueen and the artist duo Semiconductor whose artworks are featured in Art Directions are also part of the lineup. In addition, there are Talks with filmmakers such as Albert Serra and Hélène Louvart who will receive the Robby Müller Award 2023. On Friday, 27th January Girls on Film will record a live podcast in which presenter Anna Smith is assisted by Superposition director Karoline Lyngbye and Die Afternoon director Nafiss Nia. Hungarian filmmaker Judit Elek will be present at the launch of the book about her life, Judit Elek: The Lady from Budapest, on Sunday, 29th January at the Donner bookstore. Filmmakers of the Focus programme: The Shape of Things to Come? will participate in a panel and lecture on Sunday 29th January, in which they will highlight their film topics and discuss the current cultural climate in India. The International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk will speak on Tuesday, 31st January about the increasing persecution and imprisonment of filmmakers around the world, with a special focus on Turkey and Iran. Harbor Title Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! is the focus of a discussion on Wednesday, 1st February, organized in collaboration with De Balie in Amsterdam. Director Yonri Revolt and other experts discuss the politically engaged documentary, which examines one of the longest strikes of the 21st century: miners at the Grasberg copper mine in Indonesia.

IFFR runs from 25th January – 5th February