The 2026 edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR)’s CineMart co-production market will launch a pilot of Safe Harbour, a new market initiative designed “to uplift projects in development from emerging filmmakers who have experienced displacement or forced migration and who face limited access to professional networks, funding pathways and development opportunities. “
The initiative targeting stateless and at-risk filmmakers will be part of the 43th edition of the market, which will be running Feb. 1-4.
In addition, IFFR Pro said it was expanding its emerging producers’ workshop Rotterdam Lab with a new Creators Lab for writers and directors. The Lab also announces five further producers selected for Rotterdam Lab through an open call.
“The introduction of Safe Harbour marks an important new chapter in IFFR’s commitment to supporting filmmakers in fragile situations who face significant challenges in accessing funding and opportunities,” said IFFR festival director Vanja Kaluderjcic. “Across IFFR Pro this edition, we’re reinforcing our dedication to a more diverse and resilient industry globally and demonstrating our capacity to respond to evolving needs. This can be seen throughout our programme and its brand-new initiatives, including in Lightroom, CineMart x HBF, and our new Creators Lab, which builds on more than 25 years of success from our globally renowned Rotterdam Lab producers’ workshop.”
For Safe Harbour, four early-stage projects by writers, directors and artists who are at risk and/or stateless have been selected to participate in the CineMart co-production market. “During IFFR’s CineMart, the participants will take part in a tailored series of meetings with producers, funds, industry partners and allies,” IFFR said. “In preparation, filmmakers will be given online mentorship, followed by an in-person workshop ahead of CineMart, aimed at preparing and strengthening their project materials for market participation.”
The four selected projects selected for Safe Harbour are:
The Beer Girl In Yangon, dir. Sein Lyan Tun (Myanmar)
Produced by: KawanKawan Media (Indonesia), In Vivo Films (France), Loaded Films (Japan), Momo Film Co (Singapore), Daluyong Studios (Philippines)
Hidden Journey, dir. Noura Adil (Sudan)
Produced by: Weika Production Ltd. (Sudan & Rwanda)
Last Trip, dir. Ziad Kalthoum (Syria)
Produced by Mayana Films (Germany), Tiresias Films (France), Endorfina Studio (Poland)
Shall We Meet Again?, dir. Amjad Sokkar and Woroud Alqassas (Palestine/Gaza)
Produced by: Dessi Films (Egypt)
The 2026 pilot of Safe Harbour is supported by Creative Europe MEDIA 360. The 55th edition of IFFR is taking place Jan. 29-Feb. 8.
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