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Cannibals, Dostoevsky in Nepal and a Dark Fairy Tale: Rotterdam Fest Sets First 10 World Premieres
The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has announced the first 10 world premieres for its 56th edition, running from 28 January to 7 February 2027. The selections in its Bright Future and Harbour programmes span debut features and films by returning directors, highlighting the festival’s range of emerging and established voices.
Bright Future includes four debuts, among them Lucila Las Heras’s dark fairy tale *The Muglur*, Ben Hicks’s film *Kids Go Free*, made over 15 years across three countries, and Parbat Chapagai’s adaptation of Dostoevsky’s *Crime and Punishment*, set in Nepal. Harbour’s six titles explore surrealism, divided identities and resilience, including a comedic cannibal horror film by siblings Iskander and Feisal Azizuddin. Festival director Vanja Kaludjercic said the first selections offer a glimpse of cinema that challenges expectations.
In short
- Rotterdam festival reveals 10 world premieres for its 2027 edition.
- Bright Future showcases four debut films, including a Nepal-set Dostoevsky adaptation.
- Harbour selections include a comedic cannibal horror film.
Explained simply
The International Film Festival Rotterdam is an annual film festival in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. Its programme includes sections for new work by emerging filmmakers and films that sit outside conventional genres or formats.
Bright Future showcases first features and other work by newer directors, while Harbour brings together films with a broad range of styles and subjects. The announced selections include a Nepal-set adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel Crime and Punishment, a dark fairy tale and a comedy with horror elements.
The festival gives filmmakers a place to present films to audiences and industry professionals. Its programme can also introduce viewers to directors and stories they may not encounter through mainstream cinema.
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