Become a volunteer at IDFA!
Do you want to be part of IDFA? Become a volunteer at the biggest documentary festival in the world!
From November 13-23, 2025, IDFA will celebrate its 38th edition at over 20 different locations in the city of Amsterdam.
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us!
IDFA wouldn’t be possible without the hundreds of volunteers who support the festival each year. They are essential to making the festival a success—you’ll find them everywhere: at theater doors, behind the box office, in the DocLab exhibition, or delivering daily lunches and posters. Volunteers welcome our guests and audiences, serve as our eyes and ears, and embody the spirit of IDFA through their enthusiasm and dedication.
What can you expect?
- A crew pass that grants you access to all regular IDFA screenings.
- Lunch during a morning/afternoon shift, dinner during an afternoon/evening shift.
- Coffee, tea, and snacks during your shifts.
- Travel reimbursement when applicable (see our volunteer policy).
- Access to special volunteer events: an exclusive screening for volunteers, a yet-to-be-revealed volunteer activity, and of course, the legendary volunteer closing party!
What do we ask of you?
- You are reliable, enthusiastic, and willing to work in a community of like-minded individuals.
- You are available for at least 7 shifts during the period from November 13-23, 202, before or during the festival. There are a few positions that start a little bit earlier than the opening night. Different roles (see job descriptions) may have different availability requirements and require different skills.
Roles
Working at IDFA means you can be who you want to be. That's why we offer a variety of roles that help you realize your potential and discover new interests along the way.
Here is a list of all the available volunteer roles. Volunteer roles marked with an asterisk (*) are only available for Dutch-speaking volunteers.
- A-Team
- Car Service*
- Distribution Team*
- DocLab Crew
- DocLab VR Crew
- Education Team*
- Industry Crew
- Flex Worker
- Guest Desk
- Poster Team
- Office Assistant*
- Theater Staff
For more information about what these roles entail and what your responsibilities will be, you can read more here and find the role that suits you!
For more information about volunteer commitments and FAQs, you can check out our volunteer policy.