Looking back at IDFA 2024
Film still: Light Memories, dir. Misha Vallejo Prut
The IDFA Festival is always a highlight of the year, bringing together many IBF-supported filmmakers to engage with the international documentary industry and global audiences. Just as important, it offers a chance for filmmakers to connect with one another. Additionally, in collaboration with the Africa Real Collective, the Fund invited an African delegation consisting of directors, producers and industry professionals. Below, you can get a glimpse of the invited filmmakers and experiences at IDFA 2024.
Photo: Awards recipients at IDFA Forum 2024
Awards
No Other Land by the collective including Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham, won the IDFA NPO Doc Audience Award
My Stolen Planet by Farahnaz Sharifi was recognized with the Beeld & Geluid IDFA ReFrame Award
Dry Sky by Ibrahim Omar received the IDFA Forum Award for Best Pitch
Do You Love Me by Lana Y. Daher received the IDFA Forum Award for Best Rough Cut
Concrete Land by Asmahan Bkerat, received a Special Mention for the IDFA Forum Award
IDFA Special screenings
In addition to the regular screenings, several IBF-supported films were featured in special programs at IDFA.
Highlights of this edition’s program included the Female Economy special featuring The Brink of Dreams, followed by a talk with the filmmakers, as well as screenings of No Other Land, followed by a captivating conversation with directors Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham, moderated by Orwa Nyrabia and Laura Poitras, and the film screening as part of the Oxfam Novib Special.
Additionally, Queendom, a returning favourite from 2023, was invited back to IDFA by guest curator Bonne Suits, who sought to showcase the film to further spotlight the Russian protest art scene.
Photo (left to right): DOP Ruslan Fedotow, producer Igor Myakotin and director Agniia Galdanova of Queendom at IDFA Meets Bonne Suits in Kriterion
Photo: Farahnaz Sharifi speaking at the Filmmaker Talk
Filmmaker Talks
Two inspiring IBF-supported directors were invited to participate in Filmmaker Talks, IDFA's public interview program. A conversation with Iranian filmmaker and editor Farahnaz Sharifi (My Stolen Planet) delved into her use of archival resources and personal stories to bring powerful, synchronous storytelling to life. Meanwhile, Argentine artist Lola Arias (Reas), whose work spans film, theater, literature, and visual arts, discussed how her work reflects on historical events, geopolitical realities, and contemporary issues surrounding migration and state violence.
IDFAcademy talks
This year's IDFAcademy program included three IDFAcademy Talks, where experienced IBF-supported filmmakers shared their expertise and insights with emerging filmmakers, some of whom IBF grantees themselves.
In the talk Releasing your story, directors Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir gave insights in their preparation and strategy for the successful release of The Brink of Dreams.
Director and editor Farahnaz Sharifi of My Stolen Planet discussed the challenges of crafting personal narratives that reflect broader societal realities in the talk Personal stories, political landscapes – layers of intimacy.
In the talk How to collaborate in a (co-)production, producer Darya Bassel and co-producer Anne Köhnke shared their insights on their experiences in international co-producing for Songs of Slow Burning Earth.
Photo: Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir (in the middle) at the IDFAcademy talk 'Releasing your story'
Photo: African Delegation participants at the Meet & Greet by ARC and DAE
Africa Real Collective x IBF Delegation
For the second consecutive year, the Fund partnered with the African Real Collective (ARC) to invite an African delegation to the festival, striving to enhance the presence of African film professionals in the global documentary film industry. Seven directors and producers and six industry professionals from Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, South Africa, Kenya and Tunisia were invited to participate in IDFA’s Markets program or IDFAcademy, connecting with IDFA’s extensive network.
Additionally, ARC, in collaboration with DAE (the Documentary Association of Europe), organized a Meet & Greet at IDFA to discuss ethical co-production and power rebalancing in global cinema.
Drinks with IDFA's Filmmaker Support department
Each year, a get-together takes place during the drinks hosted by IDFA's Filmmaker Support department, bringing together current and former IBF grantees, IDFA Project Space alumni, and other guests and friends from the Fund and IDFA's network.
In 2024, we took a moment to say farewell to Isabel Arrate Fernandez, Executive Director of the Fund. Since 2002, Isabel has played a crucial role in shaping the IBF into the remarkable fund it is today. Under her leadership, the Fund has supported numerous filmmakers enabling them to realize ambitious projects. We raised our glasses to honor her years of dedication.
Photo: Isabel Arrate Fernandez saying goodbye during Filmmaker Support Department drinks
Film still: Rising up at night, dir. Nelson Makengo