Festival
Leiden Essay Film Festival
- Date
- Sunday 14 September 2025 - Tuesday 16 September 2025
- Address
- Museum de Lakenhal and Kijkhuis
On 14 September, the Leiden Essay Film Festival will kick off. This three-day festival, organised by the Academy of Creative and Performing Arts, marks a first for the Netherlands. Never before has there been a public event entirely dedicated to the exceptional genre of the essay film. The festival will take place until 16 September in the Kijkhuis and Museum De Lakenhal.
More than 40 essay films – features and shorts – from more than 20 countries across the world will be shown at leff. The selection includes recent works by young and emerging filmmakers, as well as prominent classics by filmmakers such as Chris Marker, Chantal Akerman, Harun Farocki, and Johan van der Keuken.
Programme
14 September, 14:00–17:30
Opening. Public lecture by Laura Rascaroli, author of How the Essay Film Thinks, followed by a screening of several short essay films and drinks.
Location: Auditorium, Museum De Lakenhal, Leiden
15 and 16 September, daily from 10:00–24:00
More than 40 essay films in two theatres, shown in blocks of 2 to 2.5 hours. With introductions, Q&As, and discussions with filmmakers and commentators.
Location: Cinema Kijkhuis, Leiden
More information and tickets
For more information and the full schedule check the website of the Leiden Essay Film Festival from 22 August onward. From then on, you are also able to buy tickets for the opening and the different screenings.