About us

Where It All Began 2008-2025

The Curaçao International Film Festival was born from a blossoming friendship between the local foundation Fundashon Bon Intenshon and the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR). Together, they envisioned a festival that would bring the magic of international cinema to the heart of the Caribbean.

From 2012 to 2022, this collaboration flourished, introducing the people of Curaçao to groundbreaking films, acclaimed directors, and unforgettable stories from around the world. As of 2023, the festival continues independently under the name Curacao International Film Festival, forging its own path while carrying forward the values and vision that started it all.

A Festival as Colorful as the Island

Just like Curaçao itself, the festival is full of energy, rhythm, and color. It reflects the island’s multicultural soul, drawing stories from far beyond the Caribbean and bringing them to local audiences with a global mindset.

Each year, the festival presents a carefully curated selection of films that challenge, move and inspire. From poetic shorts to bold documentaries and captivating feature films, the program speaks to everyone, the curious viewer, the seasoned cinephile, and everyone in between. More than just watching, the audience is invited to feel, think and engage. At CIFF, every visitor is seen not just as a spectator, but as someone bringing their own background, questions and dreams to the experience.

More Than Just Screenings

Film is just the beginning. Over the course of five days, the festival transforms the city into a creative hub. Attendees can explore masterclasses by renowned filmmakers, attend lively panel discussions, dive into musical and artistic performances, and participate in community screenings across neighborhoods (barrio screenings).

CIFF is where culture comes alive. It’s a time of shared experience — to meet actors, directors and storytellers, to dance under the stars, to discover new voices, and to reconnect with stories that feel personal. It’s a celebration of cinema, and so much more.