Rotterdam, Netherlands – As the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) Pro Days 2025 came to a conclusion, a dazzling array of accolades were bestowed on groundbreaking film and immersive media projects. At this 42nd edition, a significant highlight was the IFFR Pro Awards, acknowledging exceptional creative endeavors in the festival’s co-production market, CineMart, and its work-in-progress platform, Darkroom.
This year’s event showcased 20 film projects and four immersive projects at CineMart and 10 feature films with two immersive projects in Darkroom. The ceremony was particularly notable for introducing four new awards specifically targeting works in progress presented in Darkroom.
Among the winners, “Tear Gas” directed by Uta Beria and produced by Anna Khazaradze, Nino Chichua, and Guillaume Dreyfus, stood out and received the inaugural HBF Empowerment Award. Set against the backdrop of violent protests in Tbilisi, this gripping love story reflects the unsettling conflicts of its setting, earning it critical accolades for both its powerful narrative and its political urgency.
Marten Rabarts, Head of IFFR Pro, expressed pride in the festival’s role in advancing cinematic projects: “Our platforms, CineMart and Darkroom, have significantly contributed to the development and completion of bold and innovative cinematic works, helping filmmakers partner with industry professionals and move closer to realising their artistic visions.”
The awards ceremony unfolded with noteworthy honors such as the Eurimages New Lab Awards, which, for the second consecutive year, recognized outstanding innovation and outreach in cinema. The Innovation Award, valued at €20,000, was bestowed on “One Charming Night” by Robin Coops for its inventive engagement with issues of consent and digital privacy.
Meanwhile, the Outreach Award was claimed by “Bloques erráticos,” a collaborative creation from Thomas Woodroffe’s Chilean, French, and Argentinian team. The film examines historical memories and their connection with the present, thereby attracting a €30,000 prize intended to widen the scope and reach of this ambitious project.
In the realm of immersive experiences, the 4DR Studios Award recognized “Strata” by Lilian Hess for its inventive use of immersive technology to explore societal themes through a broad, engaging lens. Similarly, “The Great Orator” by Daniel Ernst employed advanced technology to create a compelling, safe AI environment that captivated the 4DR Studios jury at Darkroom.
Additional meaningful recognition came from the ArteKino International Award, which supports the unique artistic visions of filmmakers. This year, it was awarded to “Inbetween Worlds” by Diana Cam Van Nguyen, a project that delves into identity and heritage with delicate emotional and stylistic finesse.
As the festival wraps up, these accolades not only celebrate the remarkable talents of the current international filmmaking scene but also stimulate further creative explorations and discussions within the global cinema community. The IFFR continues to establish itself as a crucial platform for emerging filmmakers and innovative narratives, setting a precedent for future festivals around the world.
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