From time to time we ask users of The New Shopping Bag about their life. In the 10th instalment we go in depth with Janneke Staarink, Managing Director at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
It’s no bold statement to say that of all the great events that take place in Rotterdam, IFFR is the one with the biggest international appeal. And rightfully so, as year after year the festival’s adventurous and forward-minded programme gathers some of the most interesting movies and their makes from all over the world in our small metropole.
Describe yourself in three words.
Film loving tiger
Where are you now?
Probably on my way to a meeting, in or out of the office. These weeks before the start of IFFR are the very best. All falls into place. Never a dull moment!
Tell us something about you and The New Shopping Bag
Our new campaign Welcome to Planet IFFR is as colourful as Susan Bijl’s shopping bags. We also have other things in common: both a great product of Rotterdam, representatives of boldness and good taste and both our products are indestructible, of course :-).
Tell us something about Susan.
We never met, but I would love to do coffee soon.(SB: Janneke, tell us when and we’ll grind the beans ;-))
What ecological measures would you take if you ruled the world?
Speed things up!
How do you brighten up your existence?
I feel a profound love for IFFR, but also for the city of Rotterdam. The festival is always looking ahead, and regularly works with other institutions to take the variety of cultural experiences in this city to a higher level. So many great artworks are being made worldwide, and film is an important part of that worldly collection. I want to bring many great art and beautiful films to Rotterdam to show to a wide audience.
Which part does color play in that process?
The films we show at IFFR are as colourful as our visitors. All these different colours are represented as a beautiful patchwork in our latest campaign, on Planet IFFR.
Which music have you been listening to recently?
Blue and lonesome, Rolling Stones. Love it.
What’s is your biggest loss?
Don’t want to think about that if you don’t mind…
What is your ultimate destination?
To run a festival that presents itself all year through and will be known by all audiences in Rotterdam and all over the world as ‘that wonderful and crazy film festival in Rotterdam that one has to visit.’
IFFR 2017 kicks off in a few weeks on January 25th.