Shunsuke’s life seems perfect. But what can happen when your life is at its peak? You can fall deep. Literally. Into a manhole, for example. Fall from one plot twist to another in this gripping Japanese thriller.
During a hot summer in Basque Country, a mother and her eight-year-old child explore what it means to be a woman, both together and individually. A delicate Spanish feature debut about gender, family and (you probably guessed it) bees.
A teacher’s dream of a better job is shattered after accusations of inappropriate conduct with a student come to light. From the master of complex and profound drama films: Turkish auteur Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Once Upon a Time in Anatolia).
Strange clouds unleash chaos pouring not rain, but acid. A separated family relies on each other to escape. This French eco-horror hits uncomfortably close to home. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to high praise for the sharp blending of domestic drama in a disaster film.
Neighbors like these? You wish! Andrew Scott (Fleabag) and Paul Mescal (Aftersun) play the only residents of a London high rise who grow close in this intimate film by Andrew Haigh (Weekend) about loneliness, connections, ghosts and missed opportunities.
Six-year-old Cléo adores her nanny, Gloria; they do everything together. When Gloria’s mother passes away, she must return to Cape Verde to care for her own children. One last summer together tests their bond after all the changes in Gloria’s life.
A selection of animated shorts by Oscar-nominated indie-animation icon Don Hertzfeldt, including the three episodes of World of Tomorrow, about a future in which your memories can continue to exist after your death. Clones, robots, time travelers, and uploading your consciousness into a cube: anything is possible!
Life is not easy when you’re eleven years old and your family suddenly moves from New York City to the suburbs of New Jersey! A lovely coming-of-age film, based on Judy Blume’s literary classic of the same name.
Being an ‘adult’: what does it actually mean? When Eric (Michael Cera) visits his sisters and his hometown for the first time in three years, he is confronted with elements from his youth that he would have preferred to leave in the past.
Dive into a splashing movie experience at Poelmeer swimming pool during this LIFF Poolparty! Follow two friends trying to catch up on four years of fun in one night. Please note: you must be at least 18 years old to attend this screening.
Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki was supposed to retire ten years ago, but he just can’t stop making movies. Lucky us! A talking heron, a grieving boy, a fantasy world and a real world in wartime are the focus of this beautiful animated film.
A thrilling feature debut about a Brazilian family facing a difficult dilemma. Because let’s face it: has your family ever considered letting your sick grandfather die in order to make room in your home for an Argentinian drug lord who needs a hiding place?
Chapel keeper Rita is in constant competition with the other women in her village over who is the most saintly. Her efforts are in vain until a unique opportunity presents itself in a dusty backroom. However, the path to sainthood turns out to be less glamorous than she expected.
The James Whale Orchestra returns to LIFF with another fantastic live score! This time, they will accompany City Girl (1930): F.W. Murnau’s classic film about a city girl who leaves Chicago for the countryside, which turns out to be quite a tough transition.
An idealistic, but inexperienced teacher tries to stick up for a vulnerable student who has been accused of theft. What starts as a sympathetic and noble enterprise, quickly begins to harm her own reputation as a result of her questionable methods.
This new satire from Kristoffer Borgli (Sick of Myself, LIFF 2022) is about professor Paul Matthews, a balding and slightly pathetic Nicolas Cage, who hasn’t accomplished much with his work. When he inexplicably appears in the dreams of every person on earth, he becomes famous overnight.
The Emerson brothers’ childhood dream comes true when their album Dreamin’ Wild is discovered, 30 years after recording it. Peel Slowly and See opens the screening at pop venue Nobel with a Dutch intro on forgotten and re-discovered singer-songwriters.
In the Emerging Shorts program, you get to experience stories that just have to be told. They are diverse and focus on many different subjects, such as puberty, drag queens and ghosts. But more importantly, they are interesting stories that deserve a stage and an audience.
Are you looking for the feeling of: huh, what just happened? This is precisely the feeling that the Extraordinary Shorts offer. These short films about flies, gnomes and handbags are weird, different and above all extraordinary.
A mother (Jodie Comer, Killing Eve, The Last Duel) flees a London which has been submerged by a flood in search of safety. The film, based on a book by Megan Hunter, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
After the death of her mother, Alysia moves to San Francisco with her dad, writer Steve Abbott (Scoot McNairy), where he begins to lead an openly queer life in the 1970s. Photographer Andrew Durham’s impressive directorial debut, based on Alysia Abbott’s memoirs.
Will Ansa and Holappa manage to find some happiness together, despite the threat of war and a variety of personal issues? A romantic, comedic film that never loses sight of the complications of dating when you have other things on your mind.
Jules, a London-based drag queen better known as Aphrodite Banks, stops performing after a disturbing homophobic assault. A while later he runs into one of his assailants in a gay sauna: the ideal set-up for a revenge plot. Or is it?
A biopic about some of the most important months in the life of Enzo Ferrari, former race car driver and owner of car brand and racing team Ferrari—directed by Michael Mann (Heat, Collateral) and starring Adam Driver, Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodley and Patrick Dempsey.
Twenty-something Donya lives in Fremont, California. While her past as a translator in Afghanistan leads to sleepless nights, Donya spends her days working in a fortune cookie factory. A promotion leads to new oppertunities and Donya decides to send a special message into the world.
Follow Ann, a thirty-something stuck in an office job, navigating online dating, explaining her life choices to her critical family, and maintaining a BDSM relationship. Some aspects may be more relatable than others. The sharp script and editing humorously depict Ann’s struggles.
A noteworthy premiere: Japanese composer Eiko Ishibashi (from the Oscar-nominated score of Drive My Car) is coming to LIFF to perform her new score for Gift (Ryûsuke Hamaguchi), which is a special film anyway, as it is an alternative cut of Hamaguchi’s Evil Does Not Exist.
A unique, interactive screening of one of the most well-known and important silent films of all time: this version of The General (Buster Keaton, Clyde Bruckman) has never been screened before. Why this version is unique? Because you are going to produce the sound effects yourselves!
Veerle Baetens (The Broken Circle Breakdown) makes her directorial debut with a harrowing drama about a summer in which everything went awry, a winter in which these events are finally dealt with, and a block of ice in the trunk of a car.
Many traces of the Second World War can be found at and surrounding airfield Valkenburg. What do these remains mean and what should happen with them now that a new neighborhood is emerging here? And can we still discover any unknown traces of the war? Please note that this screening is in Dutch. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Sasha has a big problem: it’s really difficult for her to kill people. Why this is a problem? Because Sasha is a vampire! A bloody, yet lovely comedy with perhaps the most remarkable title at LIFF this year.
Just before an important pitch with her boyfriend André (Herbert Nordrum, The Worst Person in the World), Vera visits a hypnotherapist to finally deal with her smoking addiction. Unfortunately, the hypnosis doesn’t help her on that front, only leaving her with some bizarre side effects.
Lawrence, a 17-year-old cinephile, gets a part-time job at a video store to earn the money he needs to attend film school, but quickly finds himself forming a complicated relationship with his manager. A relatable comedy for every young cinephile and every cinephile who’s ever been young!
Sam, aspiring stand-up comedian and au pair struggling with PTSD, debates whether or not to join the search for a missing teen she used to nanny. This debut of director Ally Pankiw is funny, heartbreaking, and provides a refreshing perspective on trauma and recovery.
The Independent Shorts are films with a focus on life stories. They are filled with recognizable moments, as well as glimpses of lives that are very different from our own. These films are about spring rolls, signatures and telephone services. Prepare yourself to get lost in the labyrinth of life.
During one of his heists for precious art, art thief Nemo (an amazing Willem Dafoe) gets trapped in a high-tech secured penthouse. Follow this solitary exhibition as Nemo pushes to the extremes for months, attempting to survive and escape.
Seydou and Moussa seek freedom, embarking on a challenging journey from Dakar to Europe. Academy Award-winning director Matteo Garrone engaged with those who have actually lived through this journey, offering a new perspective on an often one-sided story.
Victims and offenders of various crimes seize the opportunity to engage in conversation. Slowly, their mistrust disappears, and hope emerges for both victims and offenders. The French star-studded cast (Adèle Exarchopoulos, Dali Benssalah) illustrates the importance of maintaining dialogues.
Blanche (Virginie Efira, Des Enfants des Autres) finds her dream man in Greg (Melvil Poupad, Grâce à Dieu). Some major milestones—marriage, kids, moving—later, this perfect picture takes a dark turn. This story is exceptionally gripping, poignant and well-acted.
David Dastmalchian (Prisoners, Oppenheimer) stars as Jack Delroy, the host of a late-night talk show in the 1970s. For the Halloween episode of 1977, a whole range of thrilling guests has been invited: a cool idea of course, until all hell breaks loose during the live broadcast.
Filmmaker Marc is stuck in the final phase of creating his latest masterpiece. He devises ridiculous excuses (bizarre edits, writing self-help books) in hopes of regaining his creativity. A delightful semi-autobiographical comedy drama by Oscar-winning director Michel Gondry.
When culinary passion and love blend: this film follows the romance between Eugenie and Dodin, whose shared love for cooking evolves into feelings for one another. Based on Rouff’s 1924 character, this award-winning, cinematographical foodporn-packed film is a must-see for food, film, and food film enthusiasts.
A mysterious wave of mutations causes some people to gradually transform into animals. When François’ wife is affected, he and their son Émile begin a life-altering quest. This second feature film by director Thomas Cailley (Les Combattants) will represent France at the 2024 Oscars.
In a dark manor with an even darker history, Maud (18) is left orphaned after her father’s sudden death. In this psychological thriller, cloaked in classic attire, Maud fights not only for her inheritance but for her life.
Quizmasters Nils, Max en Hans are back, in the Stadsgehoorzaal for the first time! New location, familiar recipe; questions, pictures, videos, music, a feast for the eyes, ears and brain. A bit of movie knowledge helps, but you don’t have to be a walking IMDb to join in. Please note that the quiz is in Dutch. Our apologies for the inconvenience.
Sign up for the quiz by buying a free team ticket. Maximum of 5 people per team.
Back by popular demand: the official afterparty of Leiden International Film Festival! On Saturday, November 4th, we will warmly welcome you in the Trianon foyer for a party that’s second to none, all in the right atmosphere. Steal the show with your best dance moves in the silent disco and enchant everyone with your finest karaoke skills; we’ll gladly sing (and scream) along! Entry to the afterparty is free. No ticket required!
Pronckstukken is a beer tasting event accompanied by a collection of film clips. Please note that this event is in Dutch. We apologize for the inconvenience.
LIFF has turned eighteen this year, and that equals party time! That’s why on Saturday, October 28th, at 23:45 o’clock, it’s time for LIFF’s 18th Birthday Bash! Now that we’re eighteen, it is time for sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll. Or maybe just a lot of fun, delicious drinks, even better music, and some great (mostly not-so-great, to be honest) dance moves in the Trianon foyer. Free entree, no ticket required.
In the southernmost part of South America at the beginning of the twentieth century, three men—a Texan mercenary, an officer from the British army and a Chilean guide—are selected to go on an expedition together. A gritty western about colonialism and land ownership.
Using film clips and short films, scientific journalist George van Hal (de Volkskrant) demonstrates how fact and fiction influence each other, and even push each other to greater heights. Please note that this event is in Dutch. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Ramona (María Vázquez) juggles two jobs, has an 18-year-old daughter, and a mildly alcoholic boyfriend. After facing injustice at work, her job hunt leads to unexpected discoveries. Vázquez has won two awards for her part in this colorful portrait film.
Twenty years ago, a teacher (Julianne Moore) got involved with her 13-year-old student (Charles Melton). Nowadays, they’re still together and their story is being made into a film. Will their relationship survive a visit from the curious lead actress (Natalie Portman)? Directed by Todd Haynes (Carol).
With his sensitive family dramas, Hirozaku Kore-eda (Shoplifters, Broker) has managed to move us like no other. With Monster—a thrilling film about a boy who seems to have lost his way, and some other ambiguous characters—Kore-eda takes a slightly darker, yet still emotional, path.
In this legendary British comedy, King Arthur and his Knights embark on a quest for the Holy Grail. Watch the film in the stunning Temple Hall of the National Museum of Antiquities, introduced in Dutch by Assistant Curator of the Middle Ages, Raphaël Rijntjes.
The chaotic life in New York City: Feña knows all about it. In a single day he encounters three people he has not seen since transitioning and with whom his relationships can only be described as complicated.
Explore the true story of the world’s worst soccer team. Twelve years after a legendary 31-0 loss, a new American Samoa team, despite their lack of talent, is determined to restore their honor. Directed by Oscar winner Taika Waititi.
Follow the remarkable story of Nicholas Winton (Anthony Hopkins, who proves once again that he is a legend), who saved hundreds of children from the Nazis. Based on a true story, this film shows you the impact an ‘ordinary’ individual can make.
The owner of ‘The Old Oak’—the last pub in a small mining community in the North of England—attempts to run his pub while tensions rise after the arrival of Syrian refugees. From the master of social criticism: Ken Loach.
Riley has just been discharged from rehab. The moment she meets Ethan, recently released from prison, she is certain: they are soulmates. Is this a love story or a new addiction? This directorial debut by Brittany Snow received multiple awards at the SXSW Film Festival.
Three young sisters experience a free summer without parental supervision. When a social worker calls for an appointment, they must find someone to pose as their mother. Awarded at Venice Orizzonti, with themes of sisterhood and coming of age, perfect musical accompaniment, and superb acting.
Wim Wenders (Wings of Desire) really does not have to prove his unique ability to celebrate the small things in life anymore, and yet he does so again with Perfect Days! A peaceful film that underlines the beauty of our daily routines.
When student Rita learns her sister is overhauling her life and moving abroad to marry a wealthy man, there’s only one solution: she hits pause on her own career as a stuntwoman and kidnaps her sister at her own wedding, of course. A must-see for every RRR fan!
What if, after your death, you’re brought back to life by an extraordinary scientist (Willem Defoe)? It happens to Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) in this new film from Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, The Favourite), who can make such a bizarre scenario come to life like no one else.
You’ve seen Elvis; now get ready for Priscilla! A biopic from Sofia Coppola (The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation) about the turbulent relationship between Priscilla and Elvis Presley, told from Priscilla’s perspective and with a fresh, contemporary vision.
A family triggers immense anger among the workers on their estate. Landowner Teresa flees and locks herself in her armored car. Pressing time and escalating tension culminate in a resounding climax. An impressive warning about the risks of an insurmountable gap between the poor and the rich.
An elementary school teacher in a small town in Mexico decides to switch everything up and attempts to use more ‘radical’ methods in order to inspire his pupils and offer them better prospects. Starring Eugenio Derbez, the nice music teacher from CODA.
Reality Winner (Sydney Sweeney, Euphoria) is arrested under suspicion of leaking important documents about potential Russian involvement in the results of the 2016 presidential elections. What follows is a heart-pounding interrogation. Based on a true story, almost verbatim.
Junta Yamaguchi, the 2020 winner of the Bonkers! Audience Award with the fantastic Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes, is back at LIFF! Get ready to be stunned by, we kid you not, another crazy film centered around a time loop.
Dog, a resident of Manhattan, is done with his lonely life and buys a robot. The two quickly become best friends, until one day Dog has to leave his robot behind. Will these buddies ever see each other again?
A remote outback town seems perfect for two friends to earn some extra travel money, but the locals’ behavior quickly creates an eerie atmosphere. Forget what you know about thrillers and check in at The Royal Hotel.
It remains a challenge to ensure that all children receive an education. Why is that? Can we develop educational strategies to prevent them from staying at home? A documentary by Jan Stap and René Lamers. Please note that this event is in Dutch. We apologize for the inconvenience.
After her mother passes, 12-year-old Georgie continues to live alone in their London flat. Georgie manages just fine until her estranged father suddenly shows up. This quirky British debut was, quite rightly so, one of the winners at the Sundance Film Festival.
Iranian Shayda (Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Holy Spider) flees to Australia with her daughter. Their newfound freedom is threatened once when Shayda’s violent husband returns. Iranian-Australian director Noora Niasari’s debut script is rooted in her personal experiences, a connection that resonates visibly and emotionally throughout the movie.
Ben, a not-so-successful filmmaker and film snob, lives together with his girlfriend Miko in Berkeley, California. When Miko moves to New York, Ben explores what he thinks he wants in life. Join in on a comedic and sharply portrayed quest in this adaptation of Adrian Tomine’s graphic novel.
It’s known that opposites attract, but are they future-proof? Sophia comes from a wealthy family, Sylvain comes from a family of manual workers. It’s love at first sight when they meet, and their differences turn Sophia’s world upside down in this charming, non-cliché take on a classic story.
You thought a snoring partner was bad? Well, think again! On Halloween, we’re screening this chilling directorial debut by Korean filmmaker Jason Yu as part of our Halloween Double Feature special, starring Jung Yu-mi (Train to Busan) and Lee Sun-kyun (Parasite).
A dancer meets a sign language interpreter and instantly feels a deep connection with him. A, you may have guessed it, slow and intimate portrait of love, relationships, (a)sexuality, and the ways in which bodies—by means of dance and sign language—can convey certain messages that cannot be expressed in words.
We almost can’t believe it ourselves, but even the eighteenth edition of LIFF will eventually come to an end. What film we will be watching on our closing night is a secret, but we can already reveal that it’s going to be a night you won’t forget any time soon!
Daisy Ridley stars as an introverted office worker for whom the monotony of the office life is occasionally interrupted by fantastical visions of ways in which she could die. When Fran meets a new co-worker, she slowly begins to crawl out of her shell.
French singer Pomme (Claire Pommet) makes her promising acting debut as Jeanne: a non-binary intern in the tough environment of the financial sector, who—in addition to the professional pressure of such a position—has to deal with insomnia and complex family dynamics.
Director Anton Corbijn tells the story of the artistic duo Hipgnosis, renowned for creating legendary album covers for artists like Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, and AC/DC. Plato Leiden enhances this co-presentation at the Nobel by featuring a stand with the iconic records from the documentary.
Is it real? Is it fiction? It simply is the story of Jerry and his family. Jerry (played by Jerry) is a Taiwanese immigrant, now retired and living in Florida, who one day receives a secret mission from the Chinese police.
Immerse yourself in beautiful flowers and exotic plants during this special screening at Leiden’s Hortus Botanicus. Mary Lennox discovers a mysterious garden, where she can escape the dreary mansion of her uncle along with her bedridden cousin.
High school senior Lillian explores the East Coast which is quite Oz or Wonderland-worthy. To quote the Wizard of Oz: “It’s not about where you go, it’s who you meet along the way.” Starring Talia Ryder (Never Rarely Sometimes Always) and Jacob Elordi (Euphoria), among others.
New York, the ’90s. Struggling Inez (Teyana Taylor) makes a radical decision when she kidnaps her 6-year-old son from foster care. Together they build a life, haunted by their secret. Themes of poverty, inequality, and parenthood make this a deserving award winner at the Sundance Film Festival.
With the founder of a theater camp in a coma, it is up to the camp staff to keep the camp running. A hilarious comedy with rising stars Molly Gordon (Shiva Baby), Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen), and Jimmy Tatro (American Vandal).
Suellen thinks her son needs ‘saving’ in the form of a conversion camp, but goes to great lengths to obtain the necessary funds. The contrasts between mother and son are exceptionally depicted cinematographically, and director Carolina Markowicz (Charcoal, also in our LIFF program) continues to push the boundaries of Brazilian cinema.
Follow the journey of One-Eye (Mads Mikkelsen), who escapes his life as a fighting slave and joins a group of Vikings heading to the not-so-promised land. Conservator of the Middle Ages Annemarieke Willemsen will introduce the movie, in Dutch, at the National Museum of Antiquities.
A wine tasting event accompanied by an amazing selection of film clips. Please note that the introductions to the wines and to all of the film clips at this event are in Dutch. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Be warned: This year VNWW has again slithered its way into the program. Crapmeisters Hans and Nils will dump their curiosity trashcan full of inept, distasteful, offensive and hilarious cinematic oddities all over you. Stay strong… Please note that this event is in Dutch. We apologize for the inconvenience.
During a performance of the bad comedy Le Cocu, Yannick rises from the audience to interrupt the show. Unhappy with the performance, he grabs a gun, creating a bizarre hostage situation. Another absurd comedy by director Dupieux, challenging the audience’s expectations of art.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus shines in this new film by Nicole Holofcener (Enough Said, LIFF 2013) as an author who discovers that her husband (Tobias Menzies) is far less positive about her new book behind her back than she thought. Ouch!