IFFR 2025 to feature works by Matthew Lax and Timoteus Anggawan Kusno in new focus programs
The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), one of the most influential platforms for global cinema, has announced two new focus programs for its 2025 edition in the Netherlands. These programs spotlight the works of Matthew Lax, a US-based artist and filmmaker, and Timoteus Anggawan Kusno, an Indonesian visual artist and researcher. Both artists bring unique perspectives to their craft, exploring themes of identity, colonial histories, and narrative reconstruction.
Matthew Lax is known for his interdisciplinary approach, merging archival research, performance, and documentary. His work often engages with actors and non-actors to interrogate interpretations of text, behavior, and power. The focus program will debut two of Lax’s latest films, "A Tired Dog Is a Good Dog, Part Two" and "Gay Men’s Book Club," both having their world premieres.
Timoteus Anggawan Kusno, based in Indonesia and the Netherlands, explores the intersections of fiction, history, and memory. His focus program includes the world premieres of "Fever Dream" and "Unreleased," alongside his acclaimed film "Tunggang Langgang." Kusno previously showcased his work "Dear Shadow, My Old Friend" at IFFR 2024.
IFFR also revealed the first lineup for its Short & Mid-Length strand, featuring 10 world premieres and 2 international premieres:
- "B and S" / Lipika Singh Darai (India)
- "The Last Harvest" / Nuno Boaventura Miranda (Portugal)
- "Tell Her What Happened to Me" / Pethrus Tibúrcio (Brazil)
- "Silvesterchlausen" / Andrew Norman Wilson (USA)
- "Upon Sunrise" / Stefan Ivančić (Serbia)
- "A Thousand Waves Away" / Helena Wittmann (Germany)
- "You’re a Shadow" / Rajee Samarasinghe (Sri Lanka)
- "The Great North" / Jenn Nkiru (UK/Nigeria)
- "a river holds a perfect memory" / Hope Strickland (UK)
- "My Brother, My Brother" / Abdelrahman and Saad Dnewar (Egypt/Germany)
- "Gerhard" / Ulu Braun (Germany)
- "The Non-Actor" / Eliza Barry Callahan (USA)