LIFF News

Against the Current – a Plastic Soup Surfer Journey, about environmental activist Merijn Tinga from Leiden, had its world premiere at LIFF. Sleutelstad spoke with Merijn and director Jasper Strik.

October 14 and 15 were dedicated to our youngest organizers. Leidsch Dagblad came by and spoke with LIFF’s Nick about the School Film Festival.

In their third festival report, InDeBioscoop writes about Omaha, L’Intérêt d’Adam, and Hallow Road. Three films that each explore family ties in their own way.

During LIFF, 3voor12 attended the live film concert of Paris, Texas, where for one night, upsammy’s unique soundscapes accompanied Wim Wender’s roadtrip film.

How do you cope when the world seems to be coming to an end? InDeBioscoop discusses the melancholic romcom Peak Everything and the horror trip It Ends in their second LIFF report.

Three films, three fathers, three stories. InDeBioscoop visits LIFF and wrote their first report on Olmo, My Father’s Shadow, and Islands. Three films that each explore the relationship between fathers and sons in their own way.

On the evening of October 9 The 20th edition officially kicked off with the Dutch premiere of Splitsville in a packed Stadsgehoorzaal. The filmmakers were there as well. Leidsch Dagblad writes about it.

Head programmer Nick joins Sleutelstad to talk about 20 years of LIFF and why Leiden is the place to be for film lovers. He also reveals what you really shouldn’t miss this year.

Omroep West looks back on Oscar-winning films that had their premieres at LIFF. They recommend seven films that they believe are sure to be winners this time again.

RTL Boulevard writes about the success of If I Had Legs I’d Kick You at the LIFF. The film got extra screenings due to the public’s high demand!

Filmkrant sums up this year’s films for the Bonkers! competition. “What stands out is that a significant number of the films explore themes or locations that confront you with entrapment.”

From quirky indies to unique specials: NRC outlines LIFF’s growth from a small-scale student project to a leading and daring film festival.

In Mare, head of programming Nick talks about the power of independent cinema, the competitions within LIFF, and what makes the festival so special.

Curious about the film tips from programmer and head of PR Jetske? She will be talking about the festival program and much more at the Filmsociëteit.

20 years of LIFF: In Leidsch Dagblad, director Ratna and head of PR Jetske talk about the growth of the festival and the plans for the future.

In collaboration with Leiden University, which is celebrating its 450th anniversary, four former students will take on the role of guest curators at LIFF. Leidsch Dagblad introduces them.

TrosKompas tips LIFF! Dark comedies, thrillers, international award winners, and films you haven’t seen anywhere else yet in the Netherlands will fill Leiden’s theaters for eleven days.

Listen to De Film Van Het Jaar Podcast, in which head of PR and programmer Jetske talks about the art of programming and what LIFF 2025 has in store.

Linguistics student, cinema volunteer, and now LIFF programmer: in an interview with Leiden University, LIFF’s Bob shares his journey to film and his festival tips.

From captivating films with music in the leading role to special film concerts: 3voor12 guides you through the musical range of LIFF 2025.

Het Vijfde Jaar en Plastic Current, two films from Leiden, will have their world premiere at LIFF. Sleutelstad writes about it.

For the special alumni program, writer Jeroen Windmeijer has chosen the film Amores perros. In an interview with Centraal+, he explains what makes this film so special to him.

Leiden University announces that four well-known alumni will be introducing their favorite films at LIFF this year as guest curators.

RTL Boulevard looks ahead to the festival and the opening night with the Dutch premiere of Splitsville, which will be attended by the filmmakers.

Leidsch Dagblad writes about the announcement of our opening film Splitsville. This Dutch premiere will kick of the 20th edition of LIFF.

Watching To Be or Not to Be under an umbrella. Despite the rainy weather, Leidsch Dagblad saw full seats during the first two evenings of the Summer Special.

Centraal+ wrote about their talk with head of PR Jetske about the Summer Special, and how the open-air films are  getting the public excited for the festival in October.

LIFF’s Jetske shares a glimpse into the diverse films and unique atmosphere of the LIFF Summer Special on the Michael en Janna Show.

Sleutelstad announces the LIFF Summer Special: ‘Three exceptional films.’

Leidsch Dagblad lists the three films of the LIFF Summer Special, including the Dutch premiere of Bob Trevino Likes It.

Algemeen Dagblad recommends the LIFF Summer Special at Pieterskerkplein on June 5, 6 and 7: ‘Everyone is welcome.’