About the IDFA Bertha Fund
The IDFA Bertha Fund (IBF) is the only fund in the world dedicated solely to stimulating and empowering the creative documentary sector in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania.
Documentary films supported by the IBF express the artistic vision of filmmakers, using strong visual treatments to tell compelling stories that can reach a global audience. We take risks on unknown and seasoned filmmakers, supporting their breakthrough from marginalized positions to the most respected platforms. Many IBF-supported films have gone on to win awards across cinema and television.
In addition to our funding schemes, the IBF puts IDFA's power and reach at the service of its filmmakers. We offer a range of activities to empower filmmakers throughout the creative and production processes, including tailored consultancies, talent development opportunities, and access to IDFA’s markets.
IBF Classic – Project Development
Within the IBF Classic funding scheme, this category offers project development support to filmmakers from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania.
- Applications must be submitted by a director from a country on the IBF Classic Country List
- Maximum contribution of €7,500 per project
- There are two submission windows per year:
- Submissions open May 1 and close June 10, 2024
- Submissions open November 1 and close December 10, 2024
Film still from Fair-Home Fairy-Tales directed by Sourav Sarangi
IBF Classic – Production & Post-production
Within the IBF Classic funding scheme, this category offers production and post-production support to filmmakers from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania.
- Applications must be submitted by a director or producer from a country on the IBF Classic Country List
- Maximum contribution of €25,000 per project
- There are two submission windows per year:
- Submissions open May 1 and close June 10, 2024
- Submissions open November 1 and close December 10, 2024
Film still from Queendom directed by Agniia Galdanova
IBF Europe – Minority Co-production
The IBF Europe Minority Co-production funding scheme supports documentary projects in all stages of production that are realized through international co-productions between at least one European and one non-European producer.
- Applications must be submitted by the European minority co-producer
- Maximum contribution of €40,000 per project
- Submissions open in 2025, date to be confirmed
Film still from Displaced directed by Olha Zhurba
NFF + IBF Co-production
The NFF + IBF Co-production funding scheme supports the realization of an international documentary co-production between a Dutch minority co-producer and non-European producer.
- Only projects that have previously received development or production support from the IDFA Bertha Fund are eligible
- Applications must be submitted by the Dutch minority co-producer through the Netherlands Film Fund website
- Maximum contribution of €50,000 per project
- Submission deadline: 2025, date to be confirmed
The Bertha Foundation dreams of a more just world and supports forms of activism that aim to bring about change. They champion those using media, law, and enterprise as tools to achieve their vision. By investing in the IDFA Bertha Fund, the Foundation makes it possible for the Fund to carry on supporting filmmakers and documentaries that make a difference.
