The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is celebrating the second part of its 50th anniversary from 2 - 6 June. German films and co-productions will also be part of the festival – from established Berlinale titles to an innovative feature-length debut.

The International Film Festival Rotterdam is one of the most important festivals in Europe and sees itself as a forum for up-and-coming talents from the film industry and a hub for socially relevant, independent cinematic art. This year's anniversary edition of the festival was divided into two blocks: the first part was held online from 1 - 7 February, and the second part is now planned for early June in a hybrid form to give Dutch audiences at least a partially physical film experience. The Rotterdam line-up includes three German films, FABIAN – GOING TO THE DOGS by Dominik Graf, BLOODSUCKERS by Julian Radlmaier and JESUS EGON CHRIST by David and Saša Vajda, which all proved to be major talking points when they had their world premieres at the 71st Berlinale. The latter will be shown at the IFFR as an international premiere.

The Bright Future section focuses on the premieres of films by young, up-and-coming filmmakers who excel by developing their own cinematic style. The German film THOMAS THE HIGH JUMPER by director Leri Matehha will also have its international premiere in this section. The coming-of-age drama centres on the sports student Thomas, who is helped by his coach to break free from a relationship with his mother that has been based purely on his performance, as well as from his strictly regulated everyday routine. A safe haven for the full range of contemporary cinema is offered by the newly created Harbour section which echoes Rotterdam's self-image as a port city. The two German co-productions DEATH ON THE STREETS (as an international premiere) by Johan Carlsen and BOTTLED SONGS 1-4 by Chloé Galibert-Laîné and Kevin B. Lee can be seen here.

All German films and co-productions in Rotterdam 2021...