50th International Film Festival Rotterdam

The 50th International Film Festival Rotterdam, was the 2021 installment of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, which took place on 1–7 February 2021 and 2–6 June 2021. The first part of the edition focused on the main Tiger, Big Screen, Ammodo Tiger Short, and Limelight programmes. Whilst, the second part focused on the Harbour, Bright Future, Cinema Regained, Classics and Short and Mid-Length Film sections.

The event was presented as a hybrid event, with a film programme was available online in the Netherlands whilst physically screened in cinemas across the country.

Indian drama film, Pebbles by Vinothraj P.S., won Tiger Award, the top prize.

Tiger

 * Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese, Mosotho screenwriter, film director and visual artist
 * Orwa Nyrabia, Syrian documentary film festival director
 * Hala Elkoussy, Egyptian artist and film director
 * Helena van der Meulen, Dutch screenwriter and film critic
 * Ilse Hughan, Dutch film producer

Ammodo Tiger Short

 * Anna Abrahams, audiovisual curator
 * Amira Gad, Egyptian-French curator and writer
 * Vincent Meessen, filmmaker

Tiger
The following films were selected to compete for the Tiger Award. The line-up was announced on 22 December 2020.

Big Screen
The following films were selected to compete for the VPRO Big Screen Award. The line-up was announced on 22 December 2020.

Ammodo Tiger Short
The following films were selected to compete for the Ammodo Tiger Short Competition. The line-up was announced on 22 December 2020.

Art Directions
The programme highlighted the expansion of cinema to installations, exhibitions and live performance.

Bright Future
The programme highlighted first-feature films from promising filmmakers.

Cinema Regained
The programme offered restored classic films, documentaries on film culture and explorations of cinema's heritage.

Harbour
The programme showcased contemporary cinema.

Limelight
The programme showcased cinematic highlights of film festival favourites and international award-winners.

Short & Mid-length
The programmes highlighted mid-length films and short films.

Awards and competition

 * Tiger Award: Pebbles by Vinothraj P.S.
 * Special Jury Award:
 * A Corsican Summer by Pascal Tagnati
 * Looking for Venera by Norika Sefa
 * Ammodo Tiger Short Award:
 * Maat Means Land by Fox Maxy
 * Sunsets, everyday by Basir Mahmood
 * Terranova by Alejandro Pérez Serrano, Alejandro Alonso Estrella
 * Robby Müller Award: Kelly Reichardt
 * Big Screen Competition Award: The Dog Who Wouldn't Be Quiet by Ana Katz
 * IFFR Youth Jury Award: Night of the Kings by Philippe Lacôte

Audience Awards

 * BankGiro Loterij Audience Award:
 * Quo Vadis, Aida? by Jasmila Žbanić (February)
 * My Name Is Francesco Totti by Alex Infascelli (June)

Critics Awards

 * FIPRESCI Award: The Edge of Daybreak by Taiki Sakpisit
 * KNF Award: Manifesto by Ane Hjort Guttu