The IFFR Pro awards were presented yesterday 4 February, as CineMart (1-4 February) wrapped up its 2026 edition with a ceremony held at De Doelen. The prizes honoured projects at various stages, from development and work-in-progress to immersive storytelling.

As per tradition, the awards spotlighted bold artistic visions and international collaboration across the festival’s main industry platforms, including the CineMart co-production market, the Darkroom work-in-progress showcase, the newly launched immersive programme Lightroom, and Safe Harbour, the initiative supporting filmmakers affected by displacement and forced migration.

The winners were selected from 21 projects showcased in the 43rd edition of CineMart, alongside ten projects in Darkroom, nine immersive works featured in Lightroom, and four projects presented within Safe Harbour, which has been developed in collaboration with the International Emerging Film Talent Fund (IEFTF).

Commenting on the conclusion of this year’s industry programme, IFFR Pro director Marten Rabarts highlighted the breadth and evolution of the initiative: “As our latest edition of IFFR Pro draws to a close, the breadth and evolution of this year’s programme was a true reflection of our commitment to meeting filmmakers’ shifting needs. This was echoed throughout the programme with the launch of Safe Harbour, Lightroom, CineMart x HBF and the Creators Lab, as well as our CineMart and Darkroom line-ups which were stronger and more essential than ever. Tonight it was a privilege to come together and celebrate all the market projects, including the winners, each of which has gained remarkable momentum over the past few days – and to round out another powerful edition of IFFR Pro that has sparked connections, unlocked new partnerships and propelled projects closer to a life on the screen and beyond.”

Beyond the awards, IFFR Pro Days 2026 wrapped up with a packed programme spanning CineMart and Darkroom, the expanded Rotterdam Producers Lab with its new Creators Lab, the pilot Dutch Talent Market and the festival’s first HBF Reunion, with the Pro Hub once again serving as the central meeting point for the international industry community.

The edition also marked the 30th anniversary of IFFR’s Art Directions programme, celebrated through the launch of Lightroom, a new immersive industry platform, alongside the Reality Check: Lightroom symposium held on 31 January.

Among the immersive projects, 4DR Studios handed out two prizes. The 4DR Studios Award for Best Immersive Project in Development went to Chemin des Bâtards by Leon Rogissart (Belgium/Netherlands), whilst the 4DR Studios Award for Best Immersive Work-in-Progress in Lightroom was awarded to Cléo by Coco Chen (Taiwan).

The ArteKino International Award, worth €6,000 and supporting the development of a standout project, was presented to The Poet’s Son by Nicolas Graux (Belgium/France/Germany). The jury praised the project as “a first feature that brings humanity and poetry into a place of darkness in this perilous moment in time.”

Eurimages continued its engagement with innovation and audience outreach through its New Lab Awards. The Innovation Award went to Daughters of the Sea by Martika Ramirez Escobar (Philippines/Spain), recognised for rethinking filmmaking conventions in the service of artistic integrity and cross-cultural storytelling. The Outreach Award was granted to LFD Hope by Joshua Loftin (UK/Hungary), commended for its inclusive approach to community-centred dialogue.

Post-production support was awarded by Amsterdam-based facility Filmmore, which presented the Work-in-Progress Post-production Award to The Hummingbird Paints Fragrant Songs by Èlia Gasull Balada and Matteo Norzi (Peru/USA/Spain/Chile), and the Filmmore Post-production Award to Pale Faces by Chantel Clark (Netherlands/South Africa).

The HBF Empowerment Award, worth €10,000 and dedicated to filmmakers working in politically challenging contexts, went to Marina by Laís Santos Araújo and Pethrus Tibúrcio (Brazil), with the jury highlighting its emotional immediacy and global resonance.

Audience engagement was the focus of the HBF x PUBLIKUM Audience Outreach Award, worth €9,000, which was awarded to Coumba by Mamadou Dia (Senegal/France).

Within the newly launched Safe Harbour programme, the New Impulse Award, worth €2,500, was presented to Hidden Journey by Noura Adil (Sudan), supporting one of the four early-stage projects developed by at-risk or stateless filmmakers.

Finally, Japan’s VIPO Award, worth €3,000 and aimed at projects where the contribution can make a significant impact, went to Neon Phantom by Leonardo Martinelli (Brazil), which the jury praised for its fresh musical approach to youth, family and contemporary labour.

Here is the full list of this year’s award winners:

Eurimages New Lab: Innovation Award
Daughters of the Sea – Martika Ramirez Escobar (Philippines/Spain)
Production: This Side Up, Arkeofilms, Alba Sotorra Cinema Productions

Eurimages New Lab: Outreach Award
LFD Hope – Joshua Loftin (UK/Hungary)
Production: Sea Fox Films, Lorenz Films, Gallivant Film, Good Kids Productions

ArteKino International Award
The Poet’s Son – Nicolas Graux (Belgium/France/Germany)
Production: Tarantula, Petit à Petit Production, Yellow Blackbird, Clin d’Œil

Filmmore Work-in-Progress Post-production Award
The Hummingbird Paints Fragrant Songs – Èlia Gasull Balada, Matteo Norzi (Peru/USA/Spain/Chile)
Production: Shipibo Conibo Center, Desfase Films, Funicular Films, Pista B

Filmmore Post-production Award
Pale Faces – Chantel Clark (Netherlands/South Africa)
Production: BALDR Film, Cadence

HBF Empowerment Award
Marina – Laís Santos Araújo, Pethrus Tibúrcio (Brazil)
Production: Aguda Cinema, Carnaval Filmes

HBF x PUBLIKUM Audience Outreach Award
Coumba – Mamadou Dia (Senegal/France)
Production: Maayo, Les Films du Bilboquet

New Impulse Award (Safe Harbour)
Hidden Journey – Noura Adil (Sudan)
Production: Weika Production Ltd.

VIPO Award
Neon Phantom – Leonardo Martinelli (Brazil)
Production: Duas Mariola Filmes

4DR Studios Award for Best Immersive Project in Development
Chemin des Bâtards – Leon Rogissart (Belgium/Netherlands)
Production: BNA-BBOT, UpscaleXR, Muziektheater Transparant

4DR Studios Award for Best Immersive Work-in-Progress in Lightroom
Cléo – Coco Chen (Taiwan)
Production: Digital Art Foundation, National Taichung Theater