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ABOUT ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL
On December 12 & 13, the eighth edition of ROOTS Film Festival returns to The Hague!
A celebration of local talent, ROOTS puts filmmakers from The Hague—and for the first time this year, from Rotterdam—in the spotlight, inviting them to share their work, connect with each other, and engage directly with the audience. This is your chance to discover the city’s vibrant creative scene and experience the stories thriving right in your own backyard.
ROOTS was created by Filmhuis Den Haag to give local filmmakers a platform—and a big screen—while fostering connections and a dynamic, positive film culture in the city.
The festival is proudly supported by the Municipality of The Hague.
PROGRAM FRIDAY
MYSTERY MASTERCLASS 1
15:30 | More information coming soon
This year, ROOTS Film Festival’s Industry Day unveils the crème de la crème of cinematic legends—invited to share secrets only the screen has ever known.
MYSTERY MASTERCLASS 2
18:00 | More information coming soon
This year, ROOTS Film Festival’s Industry Day unveils the crème de la crème of cinematic legends—invited to share secrets only the screen has ever known.
OPENING NIGHT
20:30 | ZAAL 1
Kick off ROOTS 2025 with our festive opening night—your first taste of a festival full of stories waiting to be discovered.
PROGRAM SATURDAY
ROOTS Ultra Short 1
ZAAL 1 | 16:00
Explore fearless creativity in 'Wild Heart', ride along with 'Trotter', reflect on fragility in 'Some Little Things', and soar through vibrant transitions in 'A Story of Unfolding Wings' – a high-energy showcase of ultra-short films by local makers.
ROOTS Ultra Short 2
ZAAL 1 | 17:30
From digital intimacy in 'Hunger of the Skin' to surreal encounters in 'Visite', heartbreak in 'Dear Freddie', and a journey home in 'Echo van Java', this ultra-short live-action program delivers sharp stories and fresh perspectives in every frame.
ROOTS 3: The Body Keeps the Score
ZAAL 5 | 18:15.jpg/f0071567b1cc3fa933606f9c64d36e3d.jpg)
Dive into memory and loss with 'Paper Pictures: What Is The Lifespan of a Calendar?', navigate grief and connection in 'Los eindje', and experience a mind-body odyssey in '[leeg. lichaam.]' – a thought-provoking trio of short films that linger long after the after credits.
ROOTS 4: Faith and Foundations
ZAAL 2 | 17:15
Join 'Karim' as he seeks friendship and belonging, witness family and faith collide in 'En Leid ons Niet in Bekoring', and follow Delicia’s impossible choice in 'De Doop' – a heartfelt trio of shorts exploring home, tradition, and personal freedom.
ROOTS 5: Dinosaur Dishes
ZAAL 2 | 18:30.jpg/11ad1516bd181048c526ab4885c31e59.jpg)
From the haunting isolation of 'Don’t Stop Washing the Dishes' to the unraveling mind of 'The Usual' and the eerie discovery in 'Wolkeneiland', this gripping trio of shorts explores the thin line between control, chaos, and the unknown.
ROOTS 6: Currents and Realms
ZAAL 2 | 15:45
Set adrift across distant waters, 'Ker Enaz', 'Leave No Traces', and 'Rio das Mortes' chart poetic journeys through isolation, industry, and nature’s fading balance – a hypnotic trio where mystery and humanity flow side by side.
ROOTS 7: Peaks and Passages
ZAAL 5 | 16:45.png/fd890c700cfa7f275420300b5289eb07.png)
From fading memories in 'In the Mountains, the Sun is Shining' to the clash of humanity and nature in 'Au Fond du Ciel', and a cosmic reflection on impermanence in 'Mr. Sun & Miss Universe' – three films that gaze at the limits of time, memory, and our place in the universe.
ROOTS 8: Tangled Hearts
ZAAL 5 | 19:30.png/1bb521f219b695ff9d8d7cb9f094b3df.png)
Between identity and desire in 'For the Record', tension and control in 'A Perfect Night', and forbidden love in 'Katibo Lobi', this powerful trio of shorts lays bare the courage it takes to love and be yourself against all odds.
film070 presents ROOTS 9: Rising Together
ZAAL 2 | 12:15.png/61d3e4154cf332b7f2b3b91f14a6cb94.png)
From rediscovered friendship in 'Gevleugelde' to creative tension in 'Pretentieuze K*tfilm' and the quiet reckoning of ambition in 'Als we Later groot zijn', these shorts explore connection, compromise, and the search for meaning in modern life.
ROOTS 10: Flesh and Bone
ZAAL 5 | 14:45
Explore strength and vulnerability in 'Ape to Ape / Aap tot Aap', and witness tradition and dedication in 'Uitgebeend' – a pair of shorts that balance human connection, curiosity, and the passage of time.
ROOTS 11: Riding Backwards
ZAAL 2 | 14:00.jpeg/01783483f6ba0254f67402ecd000709f.jpeg)
From uncovering family mysteries in 'Mama’s Geheim / Mom’s Secret' to a quest for fleeting joy in '30 Days To Happiness', and the trials of loyalty in 'Kick Start', this trio of shorts dives into grief, desire, and the choices that shape us.
ROOTS 12: CROSSING HORIZONS
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From the domestic crossroads of 'HAUSFRAU' to the fantastical rebellion in 'Reclaiming Dragons', and the intergenerational journey in 'Living in Limbo', these shorts explore identity, freedom, and the search for home across time and space.
ROOTS 13: Paths of Becoming
ZAAL 2 | 20:00
Journey through reflection and resilience in 'Bart Chabot: Levensdrift', and follow a young boy’s quest for belonging in 'OEDI' – two shorts that illuminate life’s struggles, passions, and the search for home.
ROOTS 14: Best of ROOTS in Motion
ZAAL 3 | 19:00
The top three audience favorites from ROOTS in Motion return for a special screening at ROOTS Film Festival—see why these local films captured everyone’s hearts.
ROOTS presents: OPEN SCREEN
ZAAL 6 | 15:00 | FREE ENTRANCE
Fresh from the ROOTS Open Lab Basis course, participants present their films to the public for the very first time. Experience these premieres and discover emerging talent before anyone else.
AWARDS and AWARD CEREMONY
This year, the awards are back at ROOTS Film Festival! Just like in previous editions, festivalgoers can cast their vote for the ROOTS Audience Award. After each film block, you’ll have the chance to vote for your favorite film of the block. All votes will be tallied, and the film with the most votes will take home the Audience Award.
In addition, a jury of industry professionals will present three Jury Awards, and QISSA will also select a special prize. All awards will be celebrated during the festive Award Ceremony on Saturday evening at 21:45.
