IDFA’s markets are open for entries

The IDFA industry team is excited to launch a new cycle of opportunities for industry professionals by opening entry forms for all of its market activities and accreditations. This year, professionals with projects in need of collaboration and financing can find their place in one of our four Forum presentation categories. Finished films in turn can make use of the opportunity to maximize their launch and distribution by gaining a spot in our 2024-2025 Docs for Sale catalogue and market.

The Markets will once again take place at Felix Meritis in the heart of the Jordaan, IDFA’s venue entirely dedicated to business for Markets (Forum and Docs for Sale) accredited guests combining market presentations with networking in the lounge spaces. Accredited guests can look forward to gaining market insights and inspiration in Industry Talks and Consultancies at ITA and enjoy all of the programming the festival has to offer throughout the city. 

You can find updated information on presentation formats, checklists, and FAQs clarifying all that IDFA markets has to offer on our Participate in IDFA’s markets page. The accreditations page offers an overview of passes and links to all entry forms. Look out for our new addition to the Accreditation offering: the Docs for Sale Plus pass that combines market access with all that the festival proposes. 

Get your calendar's ready: Find here all key dates.

Co-production and co-financing at the Forum

The Producers Connection presentation continues to be a dedicated space for exploring co-production opportunities and sustainable international collaborations, and exchange with producers and select financiers. Forum and DocLab Forum pitch presentations bring together projects and industry professionals from the entire spectrum of the documentary financing world to spark business matches and new ideas.

Sales and distribution at Docs for Sale

Docs for Sale looks to include high quality finished films in its catalogue alongside outstanding sales agent slates and IDFA-selected films. To help participants expand their know-how and capitalize on their IDFA markets launch, the Docs for Sale team offers online guides, workshops, and a whole array of consultancies towards increased sales and distribution knowledge. In 2024, Docs for Sale offers the Docs for Sale Plus Accreditation that gives the interested professional additional access to more festival offerings.

Bridging the markets at the rough cut stage

The intimate Rough Cut Presentations will again take place in the cinema, inviting all industry professionals from the Forum and Docs for Sale for a session of film screenings with teams looking to find gap financing while developing distribution strategies. Selected projects take one-on-one meetings at the Forum while networking with potential buyers and exhibitors at Docs for Sale.

Being a Forum Observer

If you do not have a project ready to present at the markets, independent producers should definitely apply to be a Forum observer to network with over 800 guests.

Docs for Sale Plus – a new accreditation

This year, IDFA Markets proposes an updated accreditation for Docs for Sale participants and acquisition professionals, Docs for Sale Plus. To ensure seamless networking opportunities, Docs for Sale Participant and Acquisition passholders can choose to focus solely on the distribution market or engage with the whole festival by obtaining the Docs for Sale Plus accreditation that gives access to festival screenings, industry talks program, social events, and more. Please see the breakdown of activities that each accreditation offers in the passes overview.

Get ready for IDFA 2024 by adding all key dates to your calendar.

Two markets, two deadlines for project or film entries

• IDFA Forum: August 1
• Docs for Sale: September 9 

Save the date: Project presentation formats, schedules, social events

• Docs for Sale: open Saturday November 16 to Wednesday November 20
• IDFA Forum Rough Cut Presentations: Sunday November 17
• IDFA Forum Producers Connection Presentations: Sunday November 17
• IDFA Markets opening drinks: Sunday November 17 (evening)
• IDFA Forum Pitch Presentations: Monday November 18 and Tuesday November 19
• IDFA DocLab Forum Pitch Presentations: Monday November 18 and Tuesday November 19
• IDFA Forum Lunches: Monday November 18 and Tuesday November 19
• IDFA Forum awards, standing lunch, and glass raising: Wednesday November 20

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact the industry team at idfaforum@idfa.nl or docsforsale@idfa.nl