More than film program 2025
Also this year the festival will offer more than only the film screenings. With an amazing “festival” lounge at The Movies with a bar from Anna Bay Club & Coca-Cola and some spectacular masterclasses, workshops and nice get togethers this year will be a festival like no other.
Pelukula den Bario – Friday April 4 & Saturday April 5
Come and enjoy a special FREE outdoor screening at 2 community areas
Free admission.
FRI 4 APR 19:00 • COMMUNITY CENTER SER’I PAPAYA
SAT 5 APR 19:00 • COMMUNITY AREA MARIE POMPOEN
Film Quiz – Tuesday April 8
The CIFF Film Quiz is the official warm-up for the Film Festival and takes place on Tuesday 8 April. Quizmaster Maarten Schakel treats you to a night filled with fun trivia about the festival, Hollywood, fragments, movies past & present and much more. Gather your team of max 5 film enthusiasts and win fun prizes. Sign up now at ciff.curacaopubquiz.com
We start right on time! Fee ANG 15 per team
TUE 8 APR 19:30-22:30 • HANCHI MAHAAI, MAHAAIWEG 32
Dennis Aalse Youth Orchestra – Wednesday April 10 & Saturday April 13
The Dennis Aalse Youth Orchestra will be performing at our opening night on Wednesday 10 April from 19:00 until 20:00 at the entrance of The Movies Otrobanda.
On Saturday evening the Dennis Aalse Youth Orchestra will play some of the greatest movie soundtracks at the fountain square in Renaissance. Seating is limited so do feel free to bring your own folding chair!
Free admission
WED 9 APR 19:00 • THE MOVIES OTROBANDA
SAT 12 APR 19:00 • FOUNTAIN SQUARE RENAISSANCE MALL
The Curaçao Film Office was installed mid 2017 with the task of developing and promoting the film industry In Curaçao. We consider networking to be a crucial part of this development. Therefore we would like to invite all local and international guests of the Curaçao International Film Festival to this special edition of our happy hour on Thursday the 11th of April from 17:30 to 20:00 to get together and connect.
THU 11 APR 17:30-20:00 • LOCATION RENAISSANCE RIFFORT TBA
Yellow Robin Award Show + Surprise Film – Saturday April 12
An evening full of surprises! Join us to applaud the Yellow Robin Award winners of 2024 before we start that one film we keep a secret.
SAT 13 APR 18:30 • THE MOVIES OTROBANDA – ZAAL 1
MASTER CLASS: THE ART OF STORYTELLING • BY TI-SHEA MEADOWS
Join us for an immersive workshop that explores the craft of filmmaking in both independent and studio/network environments. Through this session, participants will dive into the distinct approaches, challenges, and opportunities in creating compelling narratives for the big screen.
The Art of Storytelling
• Gain insights into working with major studios and networks, including the impact of resources, budgets, marketing, distribution and expectations.
Case Study: Paramount Films & Shows
• Analyze successful Paramount productions and their creative strategies.
• Highlight standout Paramount projects and engage in collaborative discussions.
• Discover what sets Paramount’s work apart in a competitive industry.
Collaborative Discussions
• Gain insights from experienced filmmakers, producers, and industry experts.
• Participate in an open Q&A session on navigating challenges in the industry.
Ti-Shea Meadows, VP of Operations at SHO/MTVE Studios & Paramount Media Networks, is a seasoned entertainment executive with 25+ years of experience. She drives programming, logistics, and cultural initiatives, leading the SHO/MTVES & PMN Culture Club and the Paramount Storyteller’s Lab. With degrees in Forensic Accounting and Radio & TV Production, she champions philanthropy through NAMIC, Pink for Africa, and her nonprofit, Clear Roots. Ti-Shea’s leadership shapes both the entertainment industry and the causes she passionately supports.
Fee ANG 15
FRI 11 APR 16:00 KURA HULANDA
MASTER CLASS: A BRIEF HISTORY OF HORROR IN FILM • BY JAN DOENSE
As of 2025, the horror genre is more popular than ever. However, historically, the genre has also faced resistance. Since the beginning of film history, horror has been one of the most popular and successful genres. Early horror films such as Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari (1919) and Nosferatu: Eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922) are widely regarded as classics. Additionally, many visionary filmmakers took their first steps in the horror genre. Think of Hitchcock, Cronenberg, Lynch, Polanski, and Del Toro – though the list is much longer.
What makes this genre so fascinating and popular? Horror expert Jan Doense – known in the Netherlands as ‘Mr. Horror’ – provides the answer in a masterclass enriched with film clips and personal experiences.
Please note that this masterclass will be in Dutch and/or English.
Fee: ANG 15
Tickets available on March 29th at The Movies Otrobanda and online.
THU 10 APR 15:30 • THE MOVIES OTROBANDA 4
MASTER CLASS: STAGETO-FILM ADAPTATION • BY LOT VEKEMANS
Lot Vekemans, engages in an in-depth Q&A with Maarten Schakel, taking viewers
through the process of adapting her original play Poison into film. She discusses which challenges are encountered and how to deal with them; how to balance dialogue and visual storytelling, using cinematography and subtle performances to convey emotions.
Topics covered will include:
• The difference between the start of a theater performance and the opening of a film;
• The differences between dialogue for theater and film;
• Choosing key moments in a theater script where cinematic adaptations can be made.
Please note that this master class will be in Dutch.
Fee: ANG 15
Tickets available on March 29th at The Movies Otrobanda and online.
SAT 12 APR 15:15 • THE MOVIES OTROBANDA 5
MASTERCLASS: THINKING BEYOND FILM THROUGH VISUAL ARTS BY SHARELLY EMANUELSON
Sharelly Emanuelson will discuss how film plays a central role in her visual art installations. By combining storytelling, movement, and sensory elements, she uses film to address themes like colonialism, climate, and Caribbean identity. Her work
bridges documentation and artistic expression, challenging traditional knowledge sharing methods and fostering new conversations about heritage and resilience.
Please note that this presentation will be in English.
Fee: ANG 15
SIGN UP HERE
Kids’ only workshop – Sunday April 13
Kids turn into artists working with crafts including light and shadow/optical illusions, storytelling, puppet-making, creating mini movie scenes. Recommended for kids aged 6-12 in Papiamento & Dutch. Sign up needed via this link.
Fee: ANG 25 (including material). Sign up needed, pay at the door.
SUN 14 APR 10:00 – 13.00 • KURA HULANDA CONFERENCE CENTRE
Best of Fest
Sunday is your chance to catch up. The most popular films of the festival return one more time for you to enjoy. Titles will be announced on our CIFF’s website, social media, and at the Central Box Office of The Movies Otrobanda
Fee: ANG 18.50. Tickets available on March 29th at The Movies Otrobanda and online
SUN 13 APR 18:00 • THE MOVIES OTROBANDA