International Documentary Film Festival
The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) has been held annually since 1988. As the world’s largest documentary film festival, the IDFA helps promote documentaries and introduce them to a wide audience. As one of the most diverse and multicultural festivals in the world, the IDFA introduces new cultures and ideas to people across the world. While the presentation of international documentaries remains the festival’s main goal, it also offers workshops, forums, and debates related to documentary films.
Location and Dates
The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam will be held November 19-29 in 2009. While originally held exclusively in the Leidseplein area of Amsterdam the festival’s events have spread to several other locations including Filmmuseum Cinerama, the Hotel American, Pathé De Munt multiplex, Arti et Amicitiae, de Balie, Pathé City Theater, and Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam.
About the IDFA
The IFDA started as a small festival that wanted to highlight some more creative international documentaries. It quickly grew into an 11 day festival that attracts over 200,000 people. The festival screens over 300 films each year and introduces many world and European premieres.
Film Selection
The festival’s selections are notable for their political content and the diverse genres represented. According to their mission statement, IFDA selects the films out of a broad pool of applications, selecting those “documentaries that are interesting from a stylistic point of view, or are particularly innovative, relevant to social issues and successfully manage to communicate with their audiences.”
Prizes Awarded
- IDFA Audience Award – audiences vote on this selection
- IDFA Award for Best Student Documentary – chosen from film academies throughout the world
- IDFA Award for Best Feature-Length Documentary – awarded for documentaries over 60 minutes long
- IDFA Award for Best Mid-Length Documentary – given to documentaries 30-60 minutes long
- IDFA Award for Best Short Documentary – awarded to films less than 30 minutes long
- IDFA Award for Best First Appearance – given to debut films
Notable Award Winners
Films that won awards at the International Documentary Film Festival and then went on to worldwide recognition include Bowling for Columbine, China Blue, The Angelmakers, We Are Together / Thina simunye, and Djembéfola.
References:
IDFA Homepage http://www.idfa.nl/
