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Film International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam @idfafestival @idfa

IDFAcademy

Film Mentorship
First Timers Welcome

About this opportunity

IDFAcademy is an intensive training programme for emerging documentary filmmakers and producers held each November during IDFA, the world's largest documentary film festival. Around 100 international filmmakers are selected to participate in a week of masterclasses, case studies, roundtable discussions, and group sessions led by some of the most esteemed professionals in non-fiction cinema, including past speakers such as Gianfranco Rosi, Sophie Fiennes, Karim Ainouz, and Maite Alberdi.

Application tips

Applications open in summer 2026 with a deadline expected around August. Selection results are communicated in early October. The programme is an excellent entry point to the international documentary industry, so use it to build lasting relationships with fellow participants and mentors.

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