Wild animals at the cinema

The twelfth edition of the Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam will take place from Monday 2 to Sunday 8 November at Cinerama and LantarenVenster. The programme, comprising 61 impressive and inspiring nature films, focuses on the special relationship between humans and animals. The opening film of WFFR 2026 is *Wildgemis*, the directorial debut of documentary-maker Anouk Suntjens. Set in the vast American wilderness, the film follows Dutch researcher Elke Tukker, who has been studying the lives of wild horses for many years.  Tickets for the films are now available via this link.

Under the theme ‘Living alongside wild animals’, this edition of WFFR explores the complex relationship between humans and animals. Wild animals live not only in remote nature reserves, but also in towns, gardens and other man-made landscapes. From the return of the wolf and the beaver to the Netherlands to foxes and bats in the city.

This theme is brought to life in a powerful way in the opening film, *Wildgemis*. The coexistence of humans and animals is also a central theme in other films this year. For example, in *Coexistencia*, filmmaker Thomas Julienne explores the tensions and possibilities of coexistence between livestock farmers and pumas in Patagonia. And in his latest film, the renowned nature filmmaker Sir David Attenborough shows how London’s inhabitants – from foxes and falcons to hedgehogs and bats – have adapted surprisingly well to life in this global city.

Dutch films

The programme features six films from the Netherlands, including *Grensgebied* by director Rik van der Linden. The dunes separate fresh water from salt water, rivers criss-cross the land and dykes divide polders, water and nature. But ditches, hedges, roads and fences also draw lines through our landscape. In his latest film, Van der Linden explores the boundaries within our country. Following the screening on Wednesday 4 November, there will be a post-screening discussion with the director.

For families, there is the ‘Family Shorts’ programme on Sunday morning, 8 November, specially designed for children aged 8 to 12 and their parents or carers. There will also be family-friendly films on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons during WFFR, such as *Penguin Baywatch – Pyjama Party*, *Underdogs: Sexy Beasts* and *Surfing Hippos – Gabon’s Jungle Beach*.

The World’s Greatest Wildlife Photos

During WFFR, the free exhibition *The Greatest Wildlife Photos of the World* will be on display at Cinerama and LantarenVenster. Come and admire stunning photographs by internationally renowned wildlife photographers, including winners of the National Geographic and World Press Photo awards.