Submission to the Festival is open for feature films, creative documentaries, experimental films, short films and innovative visual productions for digital media.

As part of the official programme the Festival includes a competition to promote talented new filmmakers. Eligible for the competition are first or second time directors of a feature films. The film should have its world, international or European premiere in Rotterdam. During the festival an international jury selects three winners who will each receive Tiger Awards, sponsored by public broadcasting organisation VPRO.