About the IDFA Bertha Fund
The IDFA Bertha Fund (IBF) is dedicated to strengthening independent, author-driven documentary filmmaking in regions and communities where access to funding and distribution for independent creative documentary film is structurally challenging—across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania. The Fund supports filmmakers working in contexts without robust public–private funding structures or where censorship restricts creative independence.
The Fund engages with documentary filmmakers whose work is grounded in bold artistic vision, innovation in form, and exploration of new perspectives. IBF-supported films bring truly independent stories to both local and international audiences through distinctive visual storytelling. We collaborate with both emerging and established filmmakers, recognizing that access to resources—not talent or vision—often defines visibility within the film ecosystem globally.
Beyond funding, IBF offers continual support by connecting granted filmmakers with the independent international documentary film landscape. This can include tailored consultancies, talent development opportunities, and access to IDFA’s markets and training programs. Our aim is to foster long-term, reciprocal collaborations that facilitate filmmakers in realizing their creative ambitions on their own terms.
IBF Classic – Project Development
This category offers project development support to filmmakers from and based in countries on the IBF Classic Country List in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania.
- Applications must be entered by a director from a country on the IBF Classic Country List
- The director of the entered project must be from, and currently living and working in, a country on the IBF Classic Country List.
- Maximum contribution of €7,500 per project
- There are two annual entry deadlines: June 10, 2025 and December 10, 2025
Film still from Fair-Home Fairy-Tales directed by Sourav Sarangi
IBF Classic – Production & Post-production
This category offers project development support to filmmakers from and based in countries on the IBF Classic Country List in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania.
- Applications must be entered by a director or producer from a country on the IBF Classic Country List
- The director of the entered project must be from, and currently living and working in, a country on the IBF Classic Country List.
- Maximum contribution of €25,000 per project
- There are two annual entry deadlines: June 10, 2025 and December 10, 2025
Film still from Queendom directed by Agniia Galdanova
IBF Europe – Minority Co-production
This scheme supports documentary projects in all stages of production that are realized through international co-productions between at least one minority European producer from a participating country in the MEDIA sub program, and one IBF-supported country producer.
- Applications must be entered by the European minority co-producer from a participating country in the MEDIA sub program.
- Maximum contribution of €40,000 per project
- The next deadline is April 1, 2026.
Film still from Displaced directed by Olha Zhurba
NFF + IBF Co-production
This scheme supports documentary projects that are realized through international co-productions between a Dutch minority co-producer and an IBF-supported country producer.
- Only projects that have previously received support from the IDFA Bertha Fund are eligible
- Applications must be entered by the Dutch minority co-producer through the Netherlands Film Fund website
- Maximum contribution of €50,000 per project
- Entries for 2025 have closed. The deadline for 2026 will be determined at a later date.
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.
