Special ‘Lost & Found’ Segment Features Rediscovered Local and International Films, TV Clips, Paintings, and Photos.
WILLEMSTAD – Preparations for the 11th edition of the Curaçao International Film Festival (CIFF), set to take place from April 9 to 13, are in full swing. This year’s festival promises to be a unique event, with the organization bringing ‘lost’ local and international art back to life on the big screen through film, television clips, photography, and painting.
As part of the Lost & Found segment, Landhuis Bloemhof has launched a competition for local painters to reinterpret the missing Rembrandt panel depicting the sense of taste. The winning artist will be the subject of a short documentary, which will be screened during CIFF 2025.
Additionally, the Caribbean Focus section, introduced last year, has now become a permanent fixture of the festival. A record-breaking 26 entries have been received this year, with a curated selection set to be showcased. “It’s incredible to see the continuous growth and development of Curaçao’s and the Caribbean’s small yet vibrant film industry,” said Michael Elias, CIFF Director. “The quality of the local and regional submissions is impressive, with true gems that will shine at this year’s festival.”
Festival Highlights
One of this year’s most anticipated films is a gripping and emotional documentary about the Isidel 1, a shuttle boat that mysteriously disappeared between Bonaire and Curaçao. Another major highlight is Kombiná, a film about renowned architect Lyongo Juliana, which received widespread attention in the Netherlands and will now be part of the CIFF program.
The Curaçao Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Dennis Aalse, will once again provide a live film music performance, bringing to life scores from world-famous movies and international composers.
Yellow Robin Award and Masterclass by Horror Expert
As in previous years, the Yellow Robin Award will be presented at CIFF 2025. In collaboration with Mexico’s Morelia Film Festival, five promising films from Latin America and the Caribbean are currently being selected to compete for this prestigious award. The winner will have the opportunity to showcase their film at Morelia Film Festival 2025 in Mexico and Film by the Sea 2025 in the Netherlands, along with receiving a cash prize for further education or a new production. This year, Daniela Michel, Director of Morelia Film Festival, will serve as a jury member and will also attend the 11th edition of CIFF.
Additionally, Jan Doense, director of the Film by the Sea Festival and a horror film expert, will screen two acclaimed horror films accompanied by a special masterclass.
For the second consecutive year, the entire festival production is being managed by a local team in Curaçao. Sulin Passial leads the organization and coordination of various festival segments, while Factory360 Marketing, a local agency, handles the promotional campaign.
The official program for the 11th edition of the Curaçao International Film Festival will be announced in mid-March.