The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has announced an expansive lineup of speakers and discussions for its 55th edition, set to run from January 29 to February 8. The festival’s Talks program will feature major international figures including U.S. actor John Lithgow, Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass, and Italian screen star Valeria Golino.
Two Major Conversation Strands
IFFR will once again divide its discussion program into two core strands: Big Talks and Tiger Talks. Big Talks focus on in-depth conversations between leading figures across film and other creative disciplines, while Tiger Talks explore pressing cultural and political themes shaping contemporary cinema.
In addition, industry-focused discussions will take place under the IFFR Pro Dialogues banner during IFFR Pro Days, running from January 30 to February 4. Festival director Vanja Kaludjercic said the Talks program plays a central role in IFFR’s identity, describing it as a space for ideas that “captivate, inspire and entertain” while encouraging meaningful dialogue and fresh perspectives.
John Lithgow Leads a Key Big Talk
One of the most anticipated Big Talks, A Queer Family Affair, will bring together the cast of Jimpa, which screens at IFFR 2026. Lithgow will join the Dutch cast, including Hans Kesting and Romana Vrede, for a conversation moderated by Hanna van Vliet. The discussion will explore the film’s creative origins, cross-cultural collaboration and themes of identity, legacy and chosen family.
Celebrated International Voices
Abbass and Golino will also headline a Big Talk centered on their global careers, spanning arthouse cinema and acclaimed television. Drawing from decades of experience, the actresses will reflect on how they approach character development and navigate international storytelling across cultures and languages.
Other Big Talks include a conversation between Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho and Spanish filmmaker Carla Simón on memory and realism in cinema, as well as a dialogue between composers and sound designers Nicolas Becker and Simon Fisher Turner on sound’s role in filmmaking.
Tiger Talks Address Politics, Feminism and Technology
The Tiger Talks lineup reflects IFFR’s long-standing commitment to socially engaged cinema. Panels will examine feminism in filmmaking, the legacy of colonialism, queer perspectives in 21st-century politics, and alternative histories of Japanese cinema.
One standout session, Life Lessons from Women Filmmakers, marks 60 years since the founding of the National Organization for Women and considers how opportunities and challenges for women filmmakers have evolved. Another, Queerness and 21st Century Politics, looks at queerness as a creative force shaping new cinematic languages.
High-Profile Festival Guests
Beyond the Talks program, IFFR 2026 will welcome a wide range of prominent guests presenting films. These include directors shortlisted for the Oscar for International Feature Film, as well as acclaimed performers and auteurs such as Tilda Swinton, Olivier Assayas and Sergei Loznitsa. With its mix of star power, political engagement and creative exploration, the Rotterdam Film Festival’s 2026 Talks program reinforces its reputation as one of Europe’s most intellectually ambitious film events.
