Opening Night AFFR Architecture Filmfestival Rotterdam
For the opening of AFFR 2026, we travel to Tokyo for the Dutch premiere of Numakage Public Pool (Shingo Ota, 2025) – a tender, bittersweet portrait of a beloved public swimming pool, filmed full of warmth, humor, and beautiful imagery. For the first time, the festival is screening a Japanese opening film, naturally followed by the traditional opening party.
For over 50 years, Numakage Public Pool has been a daily sanctuary for children and families, a healing place for the elderly, a workplace, and a discreet meeting place for the local LGBTQ+ community. When plans emerge to demolish the pool to make room for a new school, an entire community is confronted with the potential loss of this piece of public architecture. Residents, employees, and local businesses join forces to save the pool in this moving film about the social significance of public spaces.
The Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam (AFFR) is the world's leading festival on film, architecture, and the city. Every year in October, AFFR brings together filmmakers, architects, designers, and the wider public to explore the social, political, and cultural dimensions of the built environment through films. The next edition of the festival takes place at LantarenVenster and Theater Rotterdam from October 7 to 11, and at Nieuwe Instituut (Immersive Media) from October 8 to 25. Ticket sales for the full program start on September 15. For more information, visit www.affr.nl
All dates
| Datum | Tijd | Locatie | CalendarLink | Ticketlink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 7 Oct | 20:00 - 21:20 | TR25 Schouwburg | Buy tickets |
Wednesday 7 October
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