International Film Festival Rotterdam’s (IFFR) managing director Clare Stewart is to step down after the 2027 edition, her fourth in the role.
She currently jointly leads the organisation with festival director Vanja Kaludjercic.
Stewart will remain involved with IFFR, dedicating her focus to the continued development of the Displacement Film Fund, the short film grant initiative founded and led by Cate Blanchett for displaced filmmakers, or filmmakers with a proven track record in creating authentic storytelling on the experiences of displaced people.
IFFR’s supervisory board will begin recruiting for a new managing director immediately, with the intention of the successful candidate joining in time for a full handover with Stewart.
During Stewart’s tenure, the IFFR team has collectively secured a number of key funding commitments for the festival and its year-round work. This includes four-year subsidies from both the National (OCW) and municipal (Gemeente Rotterdam) governments which see the festival supported up to and including the 2029 edition.
“I am proud we have stabilised the business position of the organisation in a very challenging era for film festivals globally, and I truly believe that now is the right time to handover to a new managing director to bring fresh energy and perspective to the continuing work of securing a sustainable future for IFFR. Importantly, this timing will also mean my successor has a decent runway into the next Dutch subsidy cycle,” said Stewart.
“It is also a deeply personal decision, to focus my efforts into building a secure base for the Displacement Film Fund alongside IFFR and its Hubert Bals Fund. Working with Cate Blanchett, Alison Tilbe and the DFF Partners, as well as IFFR’s team including Head of HBF Tamara Tatishvili, to create a fund with real purpose at a time when the crisis of forced displacement reflects the huge tumult of our world today, and supporting the work of these filmmakers feels completely vital.”
“Clare has brought exceptional commitment, fearlessness and professionalism to IFFR, together with a formidable breadth of knowledge and experience,” added Kaludjercic. “Leading IFFR alongside her through a particularly demanding period, I have greatly valued the resolve and judgement she brought to our work. One of Clare’s particular strengths is her ability to open up new possibilities for IFFR and pursue them with clarity and determination.”
Prior to joining IFFR, Stewart’s roles included director of the BFI London Film Festival and BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, interim CEO of Sheffield DocFest, festival director of Sydney Film Festival and as the inaugural head of film programmes at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.
The next edition of IFFR runs from Janunary 28 to – Febuary 7 2027.
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