IBF Classic

• All directors attached to the project should have the nationality of a country as defined on the IBF Classic Country List and should live and work in a listed country.
• If a project is selected, the contribution must be spent in a country on the IBF Classic Country List.
• Projects from Bahrain, Brunei, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and Western Sahara are only accepted when they address political or human rights-related topics within the country itself.
• A project can be submitted only once for each category. There is one exception: if a project was rejected within the Production and Post-production category when it was in production stage, it can be re-submitted only when all filming is completed, the project is in post-production stage ánd there is a rough cut available to submit. A project can be submitted for Project Development and, at a later stage, for Production or Post-production, regardless of whether the initial Project Development submission was successful.
• Entry forms must be filled out in English, with the exception of submissions from French-speaking African countries and Haiti, which have the option to fill out the entry form in French. See: IBF Classic information and regulations in French.
• All applicants have the option to submit a short video by the director introducing themselves and explaining their motivation for the project (instead of providing this in written form). If you prefer to make use of this option, the link to the short video can be pasted in the entry form.

• Submissions must be in our office on the day of the deadline at 23:59 (in the time zone of the applicant). Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

• The project must be in line with IDFA’s mission statement. Documentary series or films that are part of a study curriculum are not eligible.

• Applications must be submitted by the director of a project.
• Project Development contributions are granted to the director of a project and can be spent on research, writing, shooting, and producing a visual presentation of the project.
• Requirements for submitted (audio)visual material:

  • Submitting original audiovisual material of the project is mandatory. This can be a teaser or selected research material, preferably representative of the style. A photo presentation or material from other resources that serve merely as stylistic example is not accepted.
  • Project Development submissions should also be accompanied by one previous work, preferably representative of the filmmaker’s style. This previous film, although required for the jury’s selection process, is viewed only if necessary for decision making during the selection process.
  • The material must be in English or have English subtitles.
  • Vimeo or YouTube links must be in our office on the day of the deadline.
  • Links should remain online for at least three months following the deadline.

• Applications must be submitted by the director and/or producer of a project.
• The main producer attached to the project must be based in a country on the IBF Classic Country List.
• In case a co-producer from Europe, North America, or Australia is attached to the project, this producer cannot be the main producer of the project. The application must be filed by the main producer from a country on the IBF Classic Country List. In case the project is pre-selected, the applicant should provide a deal memo or co-production agreement which needs to contain detailed provisions on the following aspects: the participation of each co-producer in the financing of the project; joint ownership of all the rights; sharing of the revenues between the co-producers.
• Requirements for submitted audiovisual material:

  • If your project is in the production stage, you must submit a trailer, demo, edited sequence, or other audiovisual material from the project with a minimum length of 3 minutes and a maximum length of 20 minutes.
  • If your project is in the post-production stage, you must submit an edited sequence or a selection of the rough cut of approximately 20 minutes. Projects that have finished shooting will be considered post-production applications.
  • If your material is longer than 20 minutes, please indicate which part we need to watch or make a selection of 20 minutes which you think is most representative and/or complementary to the end result.
  • The material must be in English or have English subtitles.
  • The audiovisual material should be posted on Vimeo or YouTube. The link must be in our office on the day of the deadline.
  • The link should remain online for at least three months following the deadline.

Check if you meet all the above-mentioned eligibility requirements.

Complete an entry form in MyIDFA. The entry form includes:

• Basic details of the project
• List of crew members
• Logline (max. 50 words)
• Synopsis (max. 400 words)
• Project description (max. 1,500 words) which should include: the story structure, character description, and artistic approach
• Topic summary or motivation (max. 1000 words)
• Biography and filmography of the director(s)
• Biography and filmography of the producer(s)
• Project stage and timeline (max. 200 words)
• Link to (audio)visual materials (see above)
• Implementation plan of research or fundraising teaser production (only for Development applications)

All steps must be completed by the day of the deadline (23:59 in the time zone of the applicant). If you are struggling while writing your proposal, read our tips for writing a proposal.

A pre-selection committee will evaluate all submissions and make a pre-selection. Within 8 weeks, applicants will be informed if their project is pre-selected. Pre-selected projects will then receive a more extensive application form, which must be completed and returned within a week. The pre-selection form includes, among other items, an extensive budget, finance plan, and production schedule. These applications will then be sent to the final selection committee, whose findings will be announced within three months after the deadline.

In assessing projects, the IBF will consider:
(1) the strength and originality of the treatment;
(2) the originality and urgency of the story;
(3) the vision and ability of the director;
(4) the financial feasibility of the project.

In return for the financial contribution, the IBF requests:

• Recognition of the IBF’s support by placing the IDFA Bertha Fund logo on the credits of the final documentary film and all publicity material. Specific details will be described in the funding agreement.
• The Benelux (the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg) premiere of the final documentary film.
• Worldwide non-exclusive internet rights of the film. The Fund will take into consideration all prior arrangements made by the applicant with various distribution partners.
• The right to screen the final documentary film in any non-commercial IDFA-related screening in the Benelux.

Besides a financial contribution, the IBF offers selected projects other means of support. Together with the project team, the IBF will determine which form of assistance and coaching would be most suitable for their project. This support is intended to enhance the project’s script, production, editing, or access to the international market.