Films from Egypt and Angola are among the first ten world premieres announced for the 56th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), taking place in the Netherlands from 28 January to 7 February 2027.
Egypt’s “In the Name of Galeela,” directed by Mohamed El Zayat, joins Bright Future, the festival’s section for feature debuts. The 110-minute ensemble comedy-drama follows a community that convinces a blind grandmother she is on a pilgrimage.
Angola’s “Karl Marx, Luanda,” directed by Kiluanji Kia Henda, will screen in Harbour, a programme accommodating a wide range of contemporary cinema. The 75-minute film combines a time-travelling love story with African science fiction and spaghetti Western elements. Kia Henda returns to Rotterdam following a presentation of his work in 2020 and the commissioned performance “Resetting Birds’ Memories” in 2021.
The announcement covers four titles in Bright Future and six in Harbour. IFFR will release its complete programme on 16 December 2026.