The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is adding a targeted program of immersive projects, organizers announced on Thursday as they revealed the titles for the 2026 co-production market and works in progress section.
IFFR has unveiled a selection of 21 feature film projects for the 43rd edition of CineMart, its co-production market, which will take place from February 1 to 4, as well as 10 projects for its work-in-progress platform Darkroom.
New for 2026, six of the CineMart titles have been selected for the inaugural CineMart x HBF programming, a stream of previously selected projects receiving development support from IFFR’s Hubert Bals Fund (HBF).
Additionally, immersive media projects will be presented for the first time under the Lightroom banner, a new IFFR industry platform for immersive storytelling. “Lightroom brings together all the XR, VR and interactive projects previously featured in CineMart and Darkroom, creating a unified space for immersive work,” the festival said. “Lightroom reinforces IFFR’s long-standing commitment to innovative audiovisual formats by providing a clearer path for development, visibility and exchange. »
The full selection of Lightroom projects will be revealed in December, along with details of a symposium dedicated to the future of immersive storytelling.
“Together, these developments reflect the continued evolution of IFFR Pro, strengthening the festival’s commitment to alumni and the pathways that connect artistic development, co-production, funding and new forms of audiovisual storytelling across the festival,” IFFR said.
CineMart 2026 selection includes “edgy urban comedy The dispute by early American directors Andrea Ellsworth and Kasey Elise Walker, acquired by Riley Keough’s Felix Culpa and Donald Glover’s Gilga for feature development, alongside the exploration of trans friendship Worst together by CanadianSomething you said last night, IFFR Youth Jury Prize 2023),” underlined the IFFR.
Beirut Baby, BirdwomanAnd When the goats arrived are the titles of other projects presented.
“The Dispute”
“Balancing groundbreaking talents and celebrated authors at the peak of their careers, this year’s selections highlight CineMart’s role as a meeting place between discovery and established cinema,” said Marten Rabarts, director of IFFR Pro. “The urgency is palpable: from stories grappling with war and displacement to narratives exploring climate change, homosexuality and the struggle to define and preserve identities in turbulent times, all amid bold cinematic creativity and forays into genres such as science fiction, horror and musical comedy. »
The 55th edition of IFFR will take place from January 29 to February. 8.
Discover below the full projects of CineMart and Darkroom revealed by IFFR on Thursday.
CinemaMart
Adarnasay. Lois Patiño, Spain
Produced by: Elástica Films, Matriuska Producciones
After the night, the nightdir. Naomi Pacifique, Netherlands, Switzerland
Produced by: Grom Productions, Lemming Film, GoldenEgg production
Animalsdir. Morad Mostafa, Egypt, France
Produced by: Bonanza Films, Wrong Films
Beirut Babyreal. Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, Lebanon, France
Produced by: Abbout Productions, Haut et Court
Hearingreal. The Bao, Singapore, Vietnam
Produced by: E&W Films, Sensory Ocean Films
Kingdom of InsomniacsYou. Kang Bo, China
Produced by: Rediance
LUXreal. Thomas Elley, Denmark
Produced by: Frau Film
Neon Ghostreal. Leonardo Martinelli, Brazil
Produced by: Duas Mariola Filmes
Noodles, our love was instant and everlastingreal. Whammy Alcazaren, Philippines
Produced by: Daluyong Studios, Two Fold
Pale facesreal. Chantel Clark, Netherlands, South Africa
Produced by: BALDR Film, Cadence
Portuguese Man O’ Warreal. Ridham Janve, India
Produced by: Bombay Berlin Film Productions, The Film Café
शुमारीreal. Toshihiko Tanaka, Japan
Produced by: ColorBird, No Saint. & Bloom
The disputereal. Andrea Ellsworth and Kasey Elise Walker, United Kingdom, United States of America
Produced by: Felix Culpa, Watermark Media, Gilga
The poet’s sonreal. Nicolas Graux, Belgium, France, Germany
Produced by: Tarantula, Petit à Petit Production, Yellow Blackbird, Clin d’Œil
When the goats arrivedreal. Arthur Gay, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Greece
Produced by: In Two Minds Productions, Exa Films, Ossian International
Worst together, dir. Luis De Filippis, Canada, Switzerland
Produced by: JA Productions Inc., Cloud Fog Haze Pictures
CineMart X HBF Selection
Birdwomanreal. Lipika Singh Darai, India, France
Produced by: Salt For Sugar Films
Coumbadir. Mamadou Dia, Senegal, France
Produced by: Maayo, Les Films du Bilboquet
Daughters of the Seadir. Martika Ramirez Escobar, Philippines, Spain
Produced by: This Side Up, Arkeofilms, Alba Sotorra Cinema Productions
Golden ballsreal. Lillah Halla, Brazil, Uruguay
Produced by: Manjericão Filmes, Cimarrón Cine, Arissas
Neon Ghostreal. Leonardo Martinelli, Brazil
Produced by: Duas Mariola Filmes
Mistakereal. Tamar Shavgulidze, Georgia, Netherlands
Produced by: Nushi Film GEO, GoGoFilm
Darkroom
Love is the monsterreal. Neto Villalobos Brenes, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, Chile
Produced by: La Sucia Centroamericana, Cine Infinito, Expansiva Cine, Clara Films
Get up, stand upreal. Mari Sanders, Netherlands, Greece
Produced by: The Film Kitchen, Neda Film
Damage, dir. Mario Piredda, Italy, Switzerland
Produced by: Articolture and DOK MOBILE
LFD HopeMr. Joshua Loftin, United Kingdom, Hungary
Produced by: Sea Fox Films, Lorenz Films, Gallivant Film, Good Kids Productions
Marinadirected by Laís Santos Araújo and Pethrus Tibúrcio, Brazil
Produced by: Aguda Cinema, Carnaval Filmes
Sea, Star, Womanreal. Jeunghae Yim, France, Korea
Produced by: 5à7 Films, Seesaw Pictures
Sugarreal. Amira Duynhouwer, Netherlands, Belgium
Produced by: Studio Ruba, Mirage Film
The hummingbird paints fragrant songsreal. Èlia Gasull Balada, Matteo Norzi, Peru, United States, Spain, Chile
Produced by: Shipibo Conibo Center, Desfase Films, Funicular Films, Pista B
The exteriorreal. Victor Moreno, Spain, Belgium
Produced by: KV Films, Womack Studios, Transit Transat
Uchronia: parallel stories of queer revoltreal. Fil Ieropoulos, Greece, Netherlands
Produced by: FYTA Films, GROM Productions
