About IDFA Forum
IDFA Forum is a longstanding international gathering point for filmmakers, creators, producers, and industry representatives working on ground-breaking creative feature documentaries and new media projects.
The first of its kind, the Forum showcases a dynamic and diverse lineup of documentary projects from around the world—each distinguished by its unique voice, stylistic innovation, and exceptional quality. Over four days, the Forum offers a program of public presentations, curated one-on-one meetings, and targeted networking opportunities.
As a prominent marketplace for building partnerships and expanding international networks, the Forum welcomes industry representatives, financiers, producers, and other documentary stakeholders to discover an outstanding selection of documentary film and cross-media projects. These are presented in various stages of development and production across four presentation categories.
The IDFA Forum supports both documentary films at different stages of development and production, and innovative documentary projects in the field of new media, through four presentation categories.
Producers Connection
Presentations and curated one-on-one meetings focusing on supporting projects looking to finance their films through international co-production.
- For documentary projects seeking international co-producers & for independent producers keen to find new projects to co-produce.
- Entries open June 2 and close July 25.
Forum Pitch Presentations
Pitch-style presentations and one-on-one meetings catering to projects in all stages of production seeking co-financing, collaboration, and/or distribution.
- For documentary projects at any stage of production, both feature one-offs and series, looking for financing and distribution partners.
- Entries open June 2 and close July 25.
IDFA DocLab Forum
Cross-media pitch presentations and one-on-one meetings where projects presented can find new partnerships and explore new ways to move forward.
- For non-fiction interactive/immersive artworks in all production and financing stages seeking new collaborators in the field.
- Entries open June 2 and close July 25.
Rough Cut Presentations
Cinema screening presentations of 20 min. excerpts to Forum and Docs for Sale industry professionals, in addition to curated one-on-one meetings.
- For documentary projects nearing completion, looking to showcase their rough cut to potential sales, distribution, and exhibition stakeholders.
- Entries open June 2 and close July 25.
Attend the Forum as an Observer
- For producers who do not have a project and would like to network during IDFA Forum, and for industry professionals looking to collaborate with projects and teams.
- Accreditations for Observer status open on June 2.
IDFA Forum is made possible with the support of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and Creative Europe MEDIA.
What’s new in 2025?
Affirming the vital role of international co-productions as a core financing model for artistic documentary films, the Producers Connection projects will take their place alongside the Forum Pitch presentations at this year’s IDFA Forum. Both categories will be presented at ITA as part of the same program, taking place on Monday and Tuesday morning.
With this integrated setup, all IDFA Forum accredited guests are invited to attend the Forum Pitches and Producers Connections presentations.
What distinguishes the two presentation categories? IDFA Forum Pitch projects are expected to have a clear artistic vision and an established creative and financial strategy. Producers Connection, by contrast, highlights projects at a formative, incubation stage, where teams are actively shaping both their creative direction and financing approach.
In 2025, IDFA Forum also introduces small-scale thematic Informative Panels—acknowledging the need for information sharing about the mandates and practices of funders. These interactive panels are a revised approach to the previous post-pitch feedback panels and aim to provide practical insights into viable financing routes.
One-on-one meetings remain a core element of the Forum, allowing for in-depth conversations around artistic intent, financing plans, and potential collaborations.
By evolving its format, IDFA Forum reinforces its commitment to supporting filmmakers in creating groundbreaking documentary films.
