The Power of Documentary Film: A Global Celebration in Amsterdam
Get ready for a cinematic journey like no other! The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) has just unveiled its highly anticipated lineup, and it's a celebration of diverse stories and perspectives from around the globe.
But here's where it gets controversial... or rather, thought-provoking. IDFA's artistic director, Isabel Arrate Fernandez, believes that these films create a space for reflection and connection, offering unique insights into our world.
"Through these films, we get to be part of the courage of filmmakers and artists who refuse to give up," Fernandez says. "They keep pursuing their creative vision, and their commitment to stories that matter."
The International Competition showcases 12 films that transform personal histories into powerful reflections on contemporary issues. From women's experiences of oppression to existential questions, these films dare to explore the untold and the urgent.
And this is the part most people miss: several works in the Envision Competition are also world or international premieres, offering a fresh and daring perspective on documentary filmmaking.
IDFA's opening night will be a showcase of short documentary films that push boundaries and challenge our perceptions. From 'As I Lay Dying' to 'Intersecting Memory', these films promise to leave a lasting impression.
"The selection of films sets the tone for a festival that explores major issues of the present," Fernandez adds. "It's about making room for new voices and unexpected perspectives."
So, are you ready to dive into this cinematic adventure? Check out the full lineup below and get ready to be inspired!
International Competition:
- All My Sisters - Massoud Bakhshi (Austria/France/Germany/Iran) - World Premiere
- December - Lucas Gallo (Argentina/Uruguay) - World Premiere
- Flana - Zahraa Ghandour (Iraq/France/Qatar) - European Premiere
- Flood - Katy Scoggin (United States) - International Premiere
- A Fox Under a Pink Moon - Mehrdad Oskouei (Iran/France/UK/USA/Denmark) - World Premiere
- The Kartli Kingdom - Tamar Kalandadze, Julien Pebrel (Georgia/France) - World Premiere
- Mailin - María Silvia Esteve (Argentina/France/Romania) - World Premiere
- Palimpsest: The Story of a Name - Mary Stephen (France/Hong Kong/Taiwan) - European Premiere
- The Shipwrecked - Diego Gutiérrez (Netherlands) - World Premiere
- Silent Flood - Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk (Ukraine/Germany) - World Premiere
- Synthetic Sincerity - Marc Isaacs (UK) - World Premiere
- Those Who Watch Over - Karima Saïdi (Belgium/France/Qatar) - European Premiere
Envision Competition:
- Amílcar - Miguel Eek (Spain/Portugal/France/Sweden/Cape Verde) - World Premiere
- Blood Red - Martin Imrich (Czech Republic) - World Premiere
- Confessions of a Mole - Mo Tan (China/Poland) - World Premiere
- Fordlândia Panacea - Susana de Sousa Dias (Portugal/Brazil) - World Premiere
- Holy Destructors - Aiste Žegulytė (Lithuania/France/Latvia) - World Premiere
- I Want Her Dead - Gianluca Matarrese (Italy) - International Premiere
- Love-22-Love - Jeroen Kooijmans (Netherlands) - World Premiere
- Our Body Is an Expanding Star - Semillites Hernández Velasco, Tania Hernández Velasco (Mexico) - World Premiere
- Past Future Continuous - Morteza Ahmadvand, Firouzeh Khosrovani (Iran/Norway/Italy) - International Premiere
- Powwow People - Sky Hopinka (USA) - European Premiere
- Treat Me Like Your Mother - Mohamad Abdouni (Lebanon) - World Premiere
- Trillion - Victor Kossakovsky (Norway/USA) - World Premiere
