The 2025 edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam’s (IFFR) CineMart is set to captivate audiences with its focus on community-driven projects tackling pressing social issues. Marten Rabarts, the freshly appointed head of IFFR Pro, asserts the festival's commitment to supporting filmmakers who create content rooted deeply in socio-political narratives.
"They needed to be both artistically impeccable and make us feel we can make some kind of difference. Many films spotlight urgent socio-political narratives, exploring themes like authoritarianism, colonialism. We even have near-future dystopias," Rabarts stated. His remark highlights the festival's intent to reflect the realities of today's world through cinema.
Among the noteworthy films this year are Cheryl Dunye’s ‘Black Is Blue’ and Marcelo Gomes and Cao Guimarães’ ‘Cape of Pleasures.’ The latter, according to Rabarts, significantly addresses the rising anxieties faced by the LGBTQ+ community, especially against the backdrop of recent political movements. "There’s real anxiety within the LGBTQ+ community about what the future might look like, particularly with the U.S. move to the right. Cheryl’s based in California, she’s queer royalty and she’s definitely looking at the situation of her community under this new government,” he remarked.
While the quality of projects is of utmost importance, Rabarts emphasizes quantity as well. This year, CineMart has expanded its selection to include 24 projects, doubling the number of works featured in the Darkroom work-in-progress section. Rabarts aims to restore the festival’s reputation as the original co-production market, commonly referred to as the "OG of co-production markets."
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Rabarts remains optimistic. "We’ve learnt so much and gained new tools, which means when people land here, they are ready to roll. The work starts immediately," he said. This enthusiastic return to form positions CineMart as not just a space for film lovers but as fertile ground for serious collaboration among filmmakers.
The diversity of the selected titles demonstrates IFFR’s commitment to amplifying voices from underrepresented areas of the film industry. The festival is especially focused on projects from regions with smaller independent film sectors. Highlighted films like 'Enkop (The Soil)' by Angela Wanjiku and ‘Something Strange Happened to Me’ by Ukrainian director Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk are exemplary of how IFFR seeks to shift the global film narrative.
Looking to the future, Rabarts mentioned how collective efforts are increasingly necessary within the industry as financial landscapes evolve. "If you look at ‘Viêt and Nam’ ... Producers Bradley Liew and Bianca Balbuena had many European partners and none from Vietnam,” he noted, showing the growing trend of collaborative international projects within filmmaking. He anticipates seeing more films involve numerous producers from various territories combining their efforts for distribution.
Overall, the 42nd edition of CineMart, running from February 2-5, 2025, aspires to serve as a hub for innovative filmmakers. By spotlighting narratives filled with urgency and depth, it reinforces the festival's legacy as a safe haven for distinctive, boundary-pushing films. Rabarts concluded, "People know they are getting the first bite of a very fresh apple" when they come to IFFR, ensuring everyone involved is poised to make significant contributions to the future of cinema.