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55th International Film Festival Rotterdam

Rotterdam, Netherlands, January 29 to February 8, 2026

Deadline

September 10, 2025

CALL FOR ENTRIES 

(feature films – narrative or documentary)

TELEFILM CANADA is currently accepting entries of Canadian feature films on behalf of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (“IFFR”).  

DETAILS 

Entry fees: The IFFR waives its entry fees for Canadian feature films with a world premiere submitted through Telefilm Canada by providing a waiver code to eligible films (Limited availability*). 

Only feature-length fiction and documentary films with a world premiere status are eligible for this call. Feature films with a different premiere status, short films, art direction installation and immersive media must be submitted directly to the festival 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA  

  • All works must have been completed after January 1, 2025; 
  • Be a Canadian Feature of 64 min+; 
  • Priority is given to world premieres; 
  • IFFR considers work-in-progress submissions, provided that the film can be finished in time for the festival. IFFR is not obliged to take into consideration new versions of the same submission. 
SUBMIT HERE

Please note that the submissions will be collected through Dialogue events

COMPETITIONS AND AWARDS

  • TIGER COMPETITION: reserved to directors of a 1st, 2nd or 3rd feature length film with a world premiere status. The Tiger Award is accompanied by a €40,000 cash prize, to be shared between the director and producer of the winning film. Two Special Jury Awards worth €10,000 will also be presented for exceptional artistic achievement within the competition. 
  • BIG SCREEN COMPETITION comprises up to fourteen selected films having their World premiere at IFFR. he winning filmmaker(s) will be awarded the Big Screen Award along with €15,000 in prize money. Additionally, IFFR offers €15,000 to the Dutch distributor that acquires the film’s distribution rights, incentivising local distribution. 
  • IFFR Audience Award All feature length films that have had their first public screening after 1 January the year prior to the festival are eligible for the Audience Award, chosen by the festival’s audience through online voting. The prize comprises €10.000. 

For more information about the festival program, please visit: https://iffr.com/en/ 

REGISTRATION AND SELECTION PROCESS 

Registering your film with Telefilm Canada

  • Create or use your existing account on Dialogue-Events and complete the application “Rotterdam Festival 2025”. 
  • Accepted formats: Streaming link. 
  • Once your application has been approved, you will receive a personal waiver code.  
  • Complete the IFFR application form on the festival’s website using the waiver code for payment by September 17, 2025. 
  • The preview link should be available up until 31 December 2025, but preferably until the festival. 

Selection process 

All films entered through this call for entries that meet the eligibility criteria will receive a waiver code to submit their film to Rotterdam. (Until supplies last) 

The selection of films for the Festival is managed by the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Final decisions will be communicated by the Festival. 

Only feature-length fiction and documentary films with a world premiere status are eligible for this call. Feature films with a different premiere status, short films, art direction installation and immersive media must be submitted directly to the festival. 

ABOUT 

Founded in 1972, the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), one of Europe’s biggest and most important film events, focuses mostly on innovative and independent cinema. 

During 11 days, hundreds of filmmakers present their work to a large audience of over 300 000 admissions and 2 300 professionals. The festival showcases some 200 feature films and 300 short films out of 50 countries. The festival programs four sections for feature length films and competition awards include cash amounts to the winning films.  

The festival is associated to CineMart, an international co-production market offering filmmakers the opportunity to launch their ideas to the international film industry and to find the right connections to get their projects financed. IFFR actively supports new and adventurous filmmaking talent through its co-production market CineMart, the Rotterdam Lab and other industry activities.  

YOUR CONTACTS AT TELEFILM CANADA 

If you have any questions regarding the festival please contact Myriam Blais. 

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Justin Clement.  

Promotion and Communications 
Telefilm Canada, Montreal 
DL-festivals@telefilm.ca 
1 800 567-0890