IFFR Rotterdam 2027: a film weekend beyond one screening

We've all done it. You open a festival grid, get excited, and suddenly you've booked six films back to back with no time to eat, pee or think. I'd avoid that at International Film Festival Rotterdam, which runs from 28 January to 7 February 2027.

My rule: build the weekend around two or three films you couldn't easily see at home, and leave proper space for Rotterdam's architecture and food. Filling every slot just because the grid lets you turns cinema into a logistics exercise.

IFFR is for people who want a film to take them somewhere: a director they've never heard of, something formally weird, a conversation after a premiere, or a performance that would never get anywhere near the local multiplex. Rotterdam is a great place for it, too. The modern centre, the river and the buildings mean the walk between screenings is worth looking at, not dead time.

How many films should I actually book?

Two anchor screenings per full day is about the sensible limit for most people. Only add a third if the venues are close together and there's time for food in between. And be picky about what you travel for. Premieres, filmmaker Q&As and unusual performance formats are what make a trip to Rotterdam worth it. A film that's probably getting a UK release anyway isn't.

When the 2027 programme lands, shortlist by film, guest and format first, then build the timetable. A premiere with the filmmaker in the room will almost always justify the trip more than another title that'll turn up at your local cinema a month later.

What do I do between screenings?

Let the architecture fill the gaps. Rotterdam Centraal, the Lijnbaan, Markthal, the Cube Houses, the river crossings and De Rotterdam turn getting from one venue to the next into the actual city break. Have one proper meal a day rather than living on foyer snacks. And after at least one film, give yourself an hour to talk about it. That's half the point of a festival.

Here's how I'd do it. Friday evening: one screening near the centre. Saturday: a late-morning film, some architecture and lunch, then an evening premiere or talk. Sunday: one last film or a Kunsthal visit before the train. That's a full weekend, and a delay here or there won't wreck it.

What should I book first?

If the festival dates work, get a central room. When sales open, buy the screenings the trip is built around, then sort out trains or flights. If you're coming by Eurostar and Dutch rail, compare the whole door-to-door journey against flying once you've added airport time, not just the headline fare.

For another festival built around ideas, look at Ars Electronica. Or browse everything in our European city-break events guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is IFFR 2027?

International Film Festival Rotterdam runs from 28 January to 7 February 2027. Individual screening times come out with the festival programme.

Is IFFR a good first film festival?

Yes. Pick by format, director or theme, and leave gaps. You don't need to be in the industry or treat it like a checklist to get a lot out of it.

Where should I stay for IFFR?

Central Rotterdam near de Doelen puts you close to lots of venues and the station. A waterfront hotel is more dramatic, architecturally, but you might end up taking the metro to screenings.

How many nights do I need?

Two nights covers a focused weekend. A third is worth it if there's a late event on the Sunday that you genuinely care about.

Read NextGTA 6 before launch: release date, reveals, leaks and the big questions