Froth
A stylishly filmed portrait of a small, idiosyncratic community at the edge of the world. Whether stoical, rebellious or humble, the Russian protagonists determinedly chart their own course.
Documentaries
Explore all films and interactive documentaries that have been shown at IDFA over the years. Many are available to watch online (by using the filter Watch Online), some for free! We're working hard to keep the selection as broad and accessible as possible, but unfortunately, some titles are available to stream within the Netherlands only.
Filters:
Subject
Section
Duration
Edition
Watch online
Country of Production
IDFA Awards
Premiere
Featured
Angels on Diamond Street
With a sympathetic eye, filmmaker Petr Lom follows life at the soup kitchen of the Church of the Advocate in North Philadelphia. He records what happens when an undocumented Mexican family asks for sanctuary at the church.
A Dedicated Life
Mixed documentary-fictional portrait of the Japanese writer Mitsuharu Inoue (1925-1992).
More infoA Far Cry
In 1958, the 'Save the Children Fund' asked Stephen Peet to make a film about the Fund's work in South Korea, some years after the Korean War had ended. The purpose of the film was to raise funds. In order to keep the expenses as low as possible, Peet left for Korea alone with his Bolex camera and a few reels of black-and-white film, and worked with an interpreter there. He was shocked and angry because of what he saw in South Korea, particularly the bad living conditions of the people. He wanted to convey those emotions in his film. He filmed for two months in and around the city of Pusan.
More info
A Is for Autism
An animated collage of drawings, live-action sequences and voice-overs which offer insight into different aspects and forms of autism. A rare glimpse at the very private and personal worlds of autistic children and adults.
More info
A Man With HIV
After volunteering as a blood donor, the HIV virus is found in 31-year-old Li Ziliang. He is immediately fired by his boss for fear of infection. Every time he walks on the street, he is surrounded by groups of people that stare at him. ‘One touch and you’re finished’, one of them thinks. ‘People with AIDS should be cursed. Only immoral people get AIDS’, another one comments. Nobody wants to sell anything to Li, because they do not want to touch the money that has passed through his hands. Only in distant Beijing can he walk around undisturbed. His wife is at her wit’s end, too, because she also lost all her friends. One day, she gets on her bicycle and never returns. She leaves Li behind with three children, who will not find anyone to take care of them after he has passed away.
More info
A Movie
A seductive and jarring film montage from 1958 that still manages to enthral many a film student and Internet discussion group.
More info
A Show
Three times a week, Internet pioneer Ze Frank humorously deals the world while creating wonderful collaborative artworks with his Internet audience.
More info
A Strange Message From Another Star
Associative portrait of the 69-year-old Paavo Rahkonen, one of the designers of the Space Shuttle.
More info
A Thousand Cuts
A vivid portrait of intrepid journalist and CEO Maria Ressa. Despite slander and threats, she continues to deploy her steely yet modest personality in the fight against the populist Filipino leader Duterte.
More info......