How to IDFAcademy
In this page, IDFAcademy participants of the 2024 edition can find answers regarding their participation in the program. A detailed program guide with all the information about talks, speakers, and other participants will be sent closer to the festival start. Meanwhile, check the answers below and reach out to idfacademy@idfa.nl if your question cannot be found here.
Besides all the information in this page, here is map with all festival locations, hotel recommendations and other food recommendations by IDFA staff.
General information
IDFAcademy 2024 will be mainly held at De Balie, at Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, 1017 RR Amsterdam. A couple of sessions will take place in ITA - Internationaal Theater Amsterdam - Leidseplein 26, 1017 PT Amsterdam.
The program commences on Thursday, November 14, between 9:30 and 10:00 am, concluding on Sunday, November 17, around 6:00 pm.
Your IDFAcademy pass can be collected at our Guest Desk on the ground floor of the industry centre in ITA - Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, at Leidseplein 26. It takes approximately 5 minutes to walk from ITA to the IDFAcademy venue (De Balie).
IDFA doesn't provide hotel discount codes. For proximity to festival venues, consider booking near Leidseplein. Alternatively, due to increased prices in Amsterdam Centre, opting for a more budget-friendly hotel further away is a decent option. A detailed list of suggested hotels for 2024 can be found here.
Each morning, we provide coffee and croissants. Additionally, around 12 pm after the morning session, a lunch-snack is available at the IDFAcademy venue. Dinner and other meals should be arranged independently.
Public Transport is a convenient way to travel in and around Amsterdam. Plan your trip at www.9292.nl/en. For more on public transport in Amsterdam, visit www.gvb.nl/english or use Google Maps.
For most services, buy tickets in advance, available at supermarkets and many stops. Remember to check-in when boarding and check-out when disembarking. Depending on your destination in Amsterdam, consult the 9292 App/website.
The Code of Conduct applies to all IDFA staff, contractors, volunteers, professional guests, audiences, and relations.
IDFA is committed to providing a safe and friendly environment for all, where everyone is treated equally, without discrimination, exclusion, or preferred treatment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, age, religion, political opinion, language, nationality, social position or ability. We embrace diversity, inclusion, and equity and work together towards shared goals. We practice continuous improvement of our work, informed by evaluation and learning. IDFA takes a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of unwanted behavior, by any person participating in IDFA’s activities, that intends to violate the dignity of others. Zero tolerance means that we will never tolerate, condone, or ignore bullying, harassment, or hate crimes of any kind.
Read here IDFA's code of conduct.
Program
Each day of IDFAcademy offers talks, sessions, and round tables. Mornings start with a plenary session. Afternoons include smaller group sessions, talks, round tables, and more. You can choose from various options based on your interests. We have emailed you a form where we want you to indicate already some of your interests to be able to reserve some spots for specific sessions.
You do not need to book tickets for the IDFAcademy events, you only need to show up with your IDFAcademy pass at the door of the room where the session takes place.
The full program will be shared with you at the end of October.
IDFAcademy is not a project-driven workshop; however, you will be able to apply all the knowledge from each session to your current project. Additionally, during the meetings with other participants and professionals, you can discuss and receive brief feedback on your work.
This session that takes place on Saturday morning involves expert feedback on pitches and pitch trailers. You'll be asked in advance if you want to present your project. In the form you have received, you can indicate if you are interested in pitching or not. After this, we will select three projects to pitch during the session. Besides this, we will select a fourth project randomly on the spot, during the session. Participants interested in pitching will receive information via email.
Attend round table meetings with professionals by signing up at the IDFAcademy Desk on the session day. One professional per table will share the specific expertise and there is time to ask questions. Limited spots are available per table.
As part of IDFAcademy, we recommend and reserve a small number of tickets for films connected to program speakers. Collect these tickets at the IDFAcademy Desk the day before the screening until 13:00.
Industry program
Your IDFAcademy pass grants access to the Industry program for professionals, including talks, presentations, consultancies, and think tanks. Keep an eye on this page for the industry program. Please note this program is different to the IDFA Markets – which IDFAcademy participants have no access to.
Different Industry events require specific methods for attendance. Here's an overview:
- Filmmaker Talks: Book a free ticket with your IDFAcademy pass.
- Industry Talks: First-come, first-served. Only need to show your IDFAcademy pass.
- Industry Sessions: First-come, first-served. Only need to show your IDFAcademy pass.
- Consultancies: All accredited guests can participate by reserving a free ticket when the program is published on our website on October 24 or by queuing for a last-minute slot at the Consultancy Desk during the festival.
- Industry Screenings: Book a free ticket with your IDFAcademy pass.
- Market Screenings: Book a free ticket with your IDFAcademy pass.
Watching films
As part of IDFAcademy, we recommend and reserve a small number of tickets for films connected to program speakers. Collect these tickets at the IDFAcademy Information Desk the day before the screening until 13:00.
With your IDFAcademy pass, book, for free, an additional 20 tickets to festival program film screenings, including Industry Screenings. Check here for the most updated selection of films. Ticket sales start at the end of October.
With your IDFAcademy pass, access the DocLab program, featuring exhibitions, live events, and new media projects. Keep an eye on this page for the program and free ticket bookings.