The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has announced its second Focus program for the festival's 55th edition in 2026, dedicating the spotlight to Japan's V-Cinema—the pioneering direct-to-video movement that exploded in the late 1980s and reshaped Japanese cinema. Curated by Tom Mes, the Focus program at IFFR 2026 examines how V-Cinema influenced genre filmmaking, production practices, and distribution strategies, leaving a lasting imprint on contemporary Japanese film culture and beyond. Among the selections is the provocative title 'Female Teacher: Forbidden Sex', illustrating the bold, boundary-pushing work that defined V-Cinema and drew international attention. The lineup promises a cinematic tour through the era’s low-budget aesthetics, rapid-release sensibilities, and innovative storytelling that helped propel independent and fringe cinema onto the global stage. IFFR's Focus program aims to illuminate the direct-to-video phenomenon's enduring relevance to today’s filmmakers, collectors, and fans. Look for the full lineup, screenings, and expert insights at the Rotterdam festival’s 2026 edition.