Principles and guidelines
As a film and new media festival, IDFA is more than an annual platform for creative documentary. It is also a place where different perspectives, values and beliefs come together, and where they can meet, challenge and unsettle one another. In such a context, we believe it is essential to be clear about the principles and values that guide us. They shape the choices we make, while also prompting us to reflect on what creative freedom, dialogue, encounter and freedom of expression mean – and how we can protect and question them.
IDFA’s primary role is to champion and advance independent, critical documentary filmmaking and artistic creativity. We support and showcase the work and perspectives of independent documentary makers and artists, believing in the power of creative documentary as a free, open and artistic lens through which to explore the complexities of society and the ways we perceive reality.
Creative documentaries can shape public opinion, bring what is vulnerable and valuable into view, and open up space for both personal reflection and public debate. In doing so, they can contribute to a more resilient society.
Through creative documentary, IDFA seeks to play an active role in public debate. The films and projects we present bring diverse perspectives from around the world to some of the most pressing questions of our time. Our aim is to bring these issues into focus, provide context and invite a broader perspective through compelling cinematic storytelling.
IDFA does not claim to settle or solve complex social issues or political debates—nor to reduce them to simple answers. Instead, we seek to enrich the conversation through an artistic lens, creating space for reflection, dialogue and a deeper understanding of the world around us. In doing so, we hope to stimulate public debate while encouraging individual reflection and growth.
IDFA is a socially engaged and humanist organisation, guided by a critical yet open-minded perspective on society and the world around us. We welcome a wide range of perspectives and make space for documentaries that question dominant worldviews and structures of power, with inclusion and diversity as fundamental values. IDFA is rooted in the tradition of creative documentary, a form that has long addressed social inequality and injustice, while bringing visibility to stories and perspectives that are too often overlooked. We do not provide a platform to work or organisations that perpetuate inequality or oppression. At the same time, we believe documentary can serve many purposes: it can unsettle and provoke, but also offer comfort and connection. In this spirit, IDFA embraces the idea of “art that comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable.”
For IDFA, the most meaningful way to engage with geopolitical and social issues is through artistic programmes, conferences, debates and educational initiatives rooted in our artistic expertise. We believe documentary art can remain relevant and contribute to change by approaching social issues and themes through creative and artistic forms of expression.
This is also what allows art to occupy a distinct place within society. Artists have something unique to contribute to the world: a perspective and a way of working that differs from those of activists, journalists, politicians, entrepreneurs or scientists, and that can bring additional value to how we understand and engage with complex issues.
IDFA aims to provide independent filmmakers, artists and audiences with a space where everyone feels welcome, respected and free to express themselves. What brings us together is a shared love of documentary art, combined with a deep engagement with and curiosity about the world around us. That also means making room for a plurality of voices and opinions. At IDFA, established ideas and convictions can be questioned and challenged, protests can be expressed and heard, and disagreement and friction are welcomed as part of an open conversation about social issues and the possibility of change. In this sense, IDFA seeks to be a brave space: one where strong opinions on controversial subjects can be expressed and discussed respectfully, while the boundaries are clear. Discrimination, hate, violence and segregation are never tolerated, as set out in our Code of Conduct, which applies to everyone.
IDFA has an ethical framework for assessing collaborations and partnerships with sponsors, film institutions and public authorities. It helps ensure that, through its partners, IDFA does not contribute to human rights violations, serious environmental harm or other forms of harm to the public interest.
The framework considers partnerships not only from an ethical perspective, but also safeguards IDFA’s artistic independence as a cultural institution.
IDFA warmly welcomes and supports artistic, independent and critical filmmakers and films from around the world. In our selection, we look first and foremost at artistic quality, alongside independence and shared values such as humanity and connectedness.
We want to provide an open, creative and safe platform. That is why we carefully assess all film submissions and accreditation requests. When it comes to films, filmmakers and organisations from countries where freedom of expression is under pressure or human rights are being violated, it is particularly important that we carefully assess and verify their independence. In this way, we seek to prevent governments and organisations involved in serious human rights violations from using IDFA as a platform.
To assess whether a submission or accreditation request comes from a country or organisation where human rights are being violated or freedom of expression is restricted, we draw on independent sources whose findings are based on thorough legal and factual research. These include the country rankings of Reporters Without Borders, which provide insight into press freedom, as well as reports by Amnesty International, which offer a broader perspective on human rights violations.
Films, filmmakers and organisations are never excluded simply on the basis of their country of origin or nationality. Rather, we consider whether they have a relationship with regimes or organisations that are internationally held responsible for serious human rights violations. Where there are questions about the independence of a filmmaker or organisation, we conduct further research and, where necessary, consult external experts to ensure that we understand the context fully. If it becomes clear that a film, filmmaker or organisation is directly connected to a government responsible for human rights violations, IDFA may decide not to include the film or approve the accreditation request.