FAQ IDFA Forum
1. How can I submit a project for the IDFA Forum?
2. Is there a submission fee?
3. Can I enter more than one project?
4. What is the difference between a Central Pitch and a Round Table pitch application?
5. What is 'real market money'?
6. Is it mandatory to present visual material with my application?
7. When will I know if my project was selected?
8. How can I sign up for the EDN Pitch Training?
9. If my project is not selected for the Forum, can I still attend as an observer?
10. Is there a pitching fee, and when and how do I pay it?
11. Is there a registration fee for applying for an observer pass?
12. Is there a fee for the observer pass, and when and how do I pay it?
13. Do I have access to IDFA screenings and events if my project is selected for the Forum or if I am attending as an observer?
1. How can I submit a project for the IDFA Forum?
By filling out the online IDFA Forum entry form. You can find this form in the MyIDFA section. Make sure you subscribe to MyIDFA first. Also make sure that your project meets our entry regulations and that you fill in all the required material in the entry form.
The letter(s) of commitment, contracts for secured financing or film stills can be uploaded through the upload page of MyIDFA.
Please read our
checklist for filling out the entry form first.
2. Is there a submission fee?
No, there is no fee for submitting your project.
3. Can I enter more than one project?
You can enter more than one project per production company, but we select a maximum of two projects from one production company.
4. What is the difference between a Central Pitch and a Round Table pitch application?
The difference is in the state of financing of your project. The Central Pitch category requires that you will at least have 25%, but no more than 75%, of your budget in place. This can be either through a broadcaster or film fund, but not through personal investments or (co-)producers money.
For the Round Table, projects in all phases of financing are eligible, including projects with no financing in place at all.
5. What is 'real market money'?
'Real market money' is money invested by a third party, for example a broadcaster or film fund. Investments by the producer or co-producer and contribution in kind are not considered 'real market money'.
6. Is it mandatory to present visual material with my application?
Providing images and a trailer (max. 3 minutes) of your project is not mandatory but highly recommended. If you do not have material of the project yet, you can also send us sample work.
A trailer of the project (max 3 minutes) or sample work or rough cut material in case you apply with a rough cut (max. 10 min.). can be send to us at video@idfa.nl using the website www.wetransfer.com . Please use the name of the project in the file title and the type of material (trailer, sample material, previous work).
We accept the following containers:
o WMV, MP4, VOB, MPG.
DVD quality is preferred.
For non-English spoken films, please add English subtitles.
Higher quality source files result in higher quality playback
We cannot process Flash video files (.flv, .swf) or mv4!
Aspect ratio: 16:9 or 4:3 (NO LETTERBOX! This will deteriorate image quality)
Please prepare image borders: we do not crop!
7. When will I know if my project was selected?
We will inform you mid-October if your project was selected or not.
8. How can I sign up for the EDN Pitch Training?
If your project is selected, you will receive a detailed e-mail with all information about the EDN pitch training, the deadlines for signing up and the costs.
9. If my project is not selected for the Forum, can I still attend as an observer?
Yes. Observer seat requests can be made by producers who entered a project that wasn't selected. There is a limited number of seats reserved for observers. Because of the large demand for seats we are forced to make a selection. Only not selected Central Pitch projects are considered with priority until the day of the deadline. Only one person per production company is allowed to apply for an observer pass. In October we will inform you if your observer seat application was honored.
10. Is there a pitching fee, and when and how do I pay it?
Yes, there is a fee for pitching your project at the Forum. The fee depends on the kind of pitch (Central Pitch or Round Table). The pitching fee includes two Forum passes for the pitching team, usually the director and the producer. Please consult our List of fees (downladable as PDF ).
Once your project is selected you will receive an invoice by email with instructions on how to pay the pitching fee with credit card through our secured website. Please contact us if you prefer to make a bank transfer.
11. Is there a registration fee for applying for an observer pass?
There is no fee due for observer seat applications.
12. Is there a fee for the observer pass, and when and how do I pay it?
Yes, there is a fee for observers. Please consult our List of fees (downladable as PDF). If you are selected for an observer seat, you will receive an invoice by email with instructions on how to make a secure credit card payment through our website. Online payment requires a credit card (Mastercard or Visa). Please contact us if you prefer to make a bank transfer.
13. Do I have access to IDFA screenings and events if my project is selected for the Forum or if I am attending as an observer?
Yes, all Forum participants receive an IDFA guest pass. This pass will give you access to all screenings (including Industry screenings) and events during the festival. Please make sure to fill out the Forum accreditation form as well. The accreditation form will be online from August in your MyIDFA account.