Partners, sponsors and Friends

IDFA looks back with pride and gratitude on the invaluable support of our many funds and partners. Their contributions allowed us, once again in 2024, to provide a platform for filmmakers from around the world, showcase their work, and spark meaningful conversations—not just during the festival in November, but all year round.

Their support also helped us expand and open up IDFA’s documentary offerings to a wider audience. Fonds 21, Vfonds, and the Cultuurfonds played a key role in strengthening the festival program and further developing the programming at Het Documentaire Paviljoen. The Brook Foundation contributed with new support specifically to films that place creativity and artists at the center. Thanks to the commitment of the Nieuw-West and Noord city districts, local residents were able to attend festival screenings free of charge. With support from the ELJA Foundation, we developed educational film materials for blind and visually impaired children, leading to a major collaboration with Eye Filmmuseum to create more programming for children with disabilities.

These are just a few ways in which our funds and partners help shape IDFA’s mission and make groundbreaking projects a reality.

Thanks to the dedication of our partners, we were able to organize a diverse array of inspiring programs and exclusive events. Some highlights include: 

• IDFA Hits at Carré, a series of special screenings made possible by the VriendenLoterij. 

• Presentation of the NPO IDFA Audience Award to No Other Land, a film that profoundly moved audiences. 

• IDFA Partner Days, curated by media partners VPRO, de Volkskrant, and De Groene Amsterdammer. 

• Special screenings in collaboration with WePresent, Oxfam Novib, OneWorld, and the European Cultural Foundation. 

• The Beeld & Geluid IDFA ReFrame Award presented to My Stolen Planet. 

• Industry events organized with partners such as Buma Music in Motion, Arte France, and LaScam. 

• Expansion of Club IDFA, welcoming new members including Houthoff and Evers Soerjatin. 

• Exclusive client events with Deloitte, VriendenLoterij, Pinsent Masons, and InsingerGilissen. 

In 2024, we saw a further increase in support from private donors. Our patrons, Special Friends+, Special Friends, and Friends, remain loyal supporters, forming a vital community of ambassadors who embrace the power of documentary film. An increasing number of individuals are choosing to include IDFA in their wills—a remarkable testament to their trust in our mission and future.

In September, we launched the Young Docs Circle, a new donor circle for young documentary enthusiasts. This network supports talent development programs for emerging filmmakers, investing in the future of documentary art.

We deeply value our donors and actively involve them in everything we do. Whether through exclusive events, premieres, or unique activities, we ensure they feel appreciated and directly contribute to IDFA’s success.

This broad support underscores a shared belief in documentary films as powerful tools for reflection and social change—films that help us understand the world, move us, and offer new perspectives. Thanks to our donors' contributions, we can continue investing in documentary films that inform, connect, and inspire toward a more open and engaged society.

IDFA operates on a diverse funding model, generating 75% of its revenue independently to ensure a solid financial foundation and mitigate risks. At the same time, we carefully establish partnerships with institutions and organizations that align with our core values and ambitions. IDFA 2024 would not have been possible without the invaluable support of our partners, private donors, and volunteers.

With deep gratitude, we thank our structural funders for making IDFA 2024 possible: the Municipality of Amsterdam and the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science.

Premium Partners of IDFA are VriendenLoterij and Deloitte.

Main partners of IDFA are VPRO, Fonds 21, de Volkskrant, and  WePresent by WeTransfer.

Partners: InsingerGilissen, NPO, Beeld & Geluid, De Groene Amsterdammer, National Geographic Documentary Films, Oxfam Novib, GVB, OneWorld, and Pinsent Masons

Funds: Creative Europe Media, Nederlands Filmfonds, Vfonds, European Cultural Foundation, het Cultuurfonds, Vevam, Brook Foundation, Cultuurloket DigitALL, ClickNL, NPO-fonds, Dioraphte, and Deloitte Impact Foundation.

All Club IDFA members, donors, suppliers, Friends, IDFA Young Docs, Special Friends(+) and Patrons who made the festival possible. This support has been essential for the 37th edition of International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam. We would also like to thank everyone who contributed to IDFA's new home for documentary in the Vondelpark: Het Documentaire Paviljoen. With special thanks to Fonds 21, Gieskes-Strijbis Fonds, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, het Cultuurfonds, Province of North Holland, Municipality of Amsterdam, Brook Foundation, BPD Cultuurfonds and Vfonds, RSGA Design, JC Art Fund and all contributions from (Special) Friends and donors who contributed to the crowdfunding campaign. We would also like to express our great thanks to the 500 volunteers who make the festival possible every year.