The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has announced the official selection of projects participating in the 43rd edition of CineMart, its co-production market, which will take place from 1 to 4 February 2026. A total of 21 feature films will take part in this industry platform, accompanied by ten additional titles that make up Darkroom, the festival’s work-in-progress section dedicated to recently completed or late-stage works seeking additional financing, sales, or international circulation.

As a major new development, this year marks the launch of CineMart x HBF, a special section featuring six projects previously supported with development funding from the Hubert Bals Fund (HBF). The initiative formalises the long-standing relationship between the fund and the market, strengthening IFFR’s commitment to accompanying filmmakers from diverse regions from their earliest creative stages through to their arrival on the international circuit. Here you may include the list of selected projects.

In addition, IFFR introduces Lightroom, a revamped industry space dedicated exclusively to XR, VR, and interactive projects, bringing together the immersive offerings previously split between CineMart and Darkroom. Developed in collaboration with the Art Directions programme and located at Katoenhuis, Lightroom aims to deepen the festival’s engagement with innovative forms of audiovisual storytelling by providing greater visibility, guidance, and networking opportunities. Specialist Ellen Kuo, formerly of the NewImages Festival and Taiwan’s National Museum of Fine Arts, joins the IFFR Pro team as consultant for Lightroom, working alongside Eva Langerak. The full selection of immersive works will be announced in December, accompanied by a symposium focused on the future of immersive storytelling.

Darkroom, meanwhile, will offer the international industry exclusive screenings of ten feature films in advanced stages, all connected to the Rotterdam Lab or previously supported by the Hubert Bals Fund or CineMart. These projects will be presented during the market days and will receive tailored advice on finishing strategies, gap financing, and international sales. Here you may add the corresponding list.

IFFR Pro Director Marten Rabarts emphasised that this year’s selection balances new talent and established filmmakers, and reflects the urgency of the stories running through the programme: narratives of war, displacement, climate change, identity, diversity, and resistance in uncertain times, as well as bold creative proposals exploring genres such as science fiction, horror, and musicals. He also highlighted that both CineMart x HBF and Lightroom bring greater cohesion to the IFFR Pro ecosystem, strengthening the links between artistic development, co-production, and new forms of audiovisual storytelling.

CineMart selections 

Adarna, dir. Lois Patiño, Spain
Produced by: Elástica Films, Matriuska Producciones

after the night, the night, dir. Naomi Pacifique, Netherlands, Switzerland
Produced by: Grom Productions, Lemming Film, GoldenEgg production

Animals, dir. Morad Mostafa, Egypt, France
Produced by: Bonanza Films, Wrong Films

Beirut Baby, dir. Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, Lebanon, France
Produced by: Abbout Productions, Haut et Court

Hearing, dir. Lê Bảo, Singapore, Vietnam
Produced by: E&W Films, Sensory Ocean Films

Kingdom of the Insomniacs, dir. Kang Bo, China
Produced by: Rediance

LUX, dir. Thomas Elley, Denmark
Produced by: Frau Film 

Neon Phantom, dir. Leonardo Martinelli, Brazil
Produced by: Duas Mariola Filmes

Noodles, Our Love was Instant and Forever, dir. Whammy Alcazaren, Philippines
Produced by: Daluyong Studios, Two Fold

Pale Faces, dir. Chantel Clark, Netherlands, South Africa
Produced by: BALDR Film, Cadence

Portuguese Man O’ War, dir. Ridham Janve, India
Produced by: Bombay Berlin Film Productions, The Film Cafe

Shumari, dir. Toshihiko Tanaka, Japan
Produced by: ColorBird, No Saint. & Bloom

The Dispute, dir. Andrea Ellsworth and Kasey Elise Walker, United Kingdom, United States of America
Produced by: Felix Culpa, Watermark Media, Gilga

The Poet’s Son, dir. Nicolas Graux, Belgium, France, Germany
Produced by: Tarantula, Petit à Petit Production, Yellow Blackbird, Clin d’Œil 

When the Goats Came, dir. Arthur Gay, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Greece
Produced by: In Two Minds Productions, Exa Films, Ossian International

Worse Together, dir. Luis De Filippis, Canada, Switzerland
Produced by: JA Productions Inc., Cloud Fog Haze Pictures

CineMart x HBF selection

Birdwoman, dir. Lipika Singh Darai, India, France
Produced by: Salt For Sugar Films

Coumba, dir. Mamadou Dia, Senegal, France
Produced by: Maayo, Les Films du Bilboquet

Daughters of the Sea, dir. Martika Ramirez Escobar, Philippines, Spain
Produced by: This Side Up, Arkeofilms, Alba Sotorra Cinema Productions

Golden Balls, dir. Lillah Halla, Brazil, Uruguay
Produced by: Manjericão Filmes, Cimarrón Cine, Arissas

Neon Phantom, dir. Leonardo Martinelli, Brazil
Produced by: Duas Mariola Filmes

Vika, dir. Tamar Shavgulidze, Georgia, Netherlands
Produced by: Nushi Film GEO, GoGoFilm

Darkroom selection 2026

Amor es el monstruo, dir. Neto Villalobos Brenes, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, Chile
Produced by: La Sucia Centroamericana, Cine Infinito, Expansiva Cine, Clara Films

Get Up Stand Up, dir. Mari Sanders, Netherlands, Greece
Produced by: The Film Kitchen, Neda Film

Làstima, dir. Mario Piredda, Italy, Switzerland
Produced by: Articolture and DOK MOBILE

LFD Hope, dir. Joshua Loftin, United Kingdom, Hungary
Produced by: Sea Fox Films, Lorenz Films, Gallivant Film, Good Kids Productions

Marina, dir. Laís Santos Araújo and Pethrus Tibúrcio, Brazil
Produced by: Aguda Cinema, Carnaval Filmes 

Sea, Star, Woman, dir. Jeunghae Yim, France, Korea
Produced by: 5à7 Films, Seesaw Pictures

Sugar, dir. Amira Duynhouwer, Netherlands, Belgium
Produced by: Studio Ruba, Mirage Film 

The Hummingbird Paints Fragrant Songs, dir. Èlia Gasull Balada, Matteo Norzi, Peru, United States, Spain, Chile