About the IDFA Bertha Fund

The IDFA Bertha Fund (IBF) is dedicated to strengthening independent documentary filmmaking in regions and communities where access to funding and distribution for independent creative documentary film is structurally challenging—across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania. Our aim is to resource independent, critical, and artistically ambitious filmmaking in regions systemically excluded from dominant production and distribution networks.

We believe that independent, creative documentary film is a powerful artistic medium for reflection, resistance, and reclaiming the world. IBF creates space for artistic expression free from limitation, safeguarding critical and artistic filmmaking. We collaborate with filmmakers who challenge dominant narratives and reveal the complexity of lived realities, bringing new perspectives to the world. Through this work, bridges are built between filmmakers, audiences, and communities—contributing to a more equitable and interconnected global documentary ecosystem, and enriching the diversity of films available to audiences worldwide.

By strengthening independent filmmakers from IBF-supported regions, we aim to contribute to a fairer and more balanced global documentary film landscape—one that safeguards free, independent, and creative artistic expression, and fosters a more equitable representation of documentary narratives.

Since 1998, the IDFA Bertha Fund has been a vital part of IDFA; IDFA is a leading international documentary institute that provides a space for exchange, collaboration, and inspiration—bringing together filmmakers, artists, audiences, and industry professionals from around the world. 

The Fund provides year-round financial and tailored support to documentary filmmakers from IBF-supported regions—in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania—through several funding schemes for project development and production. Documentary films supported by IBF reflect the artistic vision of filmmakers and vary greatly in theme, narrative, and visual style—from experimental essay to urgent cinema. Beyond financing, IBF is committed to long-term collaboration with filmmakers, offering tailored consultancies, feedback, and professional guidance. 

As part of IDFA’s Filmmaker Support department, the Fund connects filmmakers to talent development opportunities, workshops, and labs that nurture both the creative process (from story development to editing) and the production process (from financing to distribution). Each year, IBF-selected filmmakers are also invited to attend IDFA to present their films, grow their networks, and connect with international audiences and industry professionals. 

The Fund actively promotes the harvest of IBF-supported films at IDFA, using the festival’s platform to amplify their visibility— ensuring that the voices and visions of these filmmakers contribute to and help shape the global documentary landscape. 

The Fund supports filmmakers at all career stages through a rigorous selection process, with 30 projects selected each year from more than a thousand entries. Over the past 25 years, over 450 films have been completed and distributed locally and internationally, enhancing regional film cultures, and contributing to the global documentary cinema repertoire.  

Many of these films have reached wide audiences, achieved critical acclaim, and received major international awards—contributing to the richness and diversity of documentary cinema. By sustaining filmmakers, local- and regional-film communities, and independent creative ecosystems, IBF strengthens a global documentary landscape that is inclusive, vibrant, and truly international. 

Together, these endeavors contribute to a more inclusive documentary production landscape—one in which filmmakers and documentary films from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania shape their own images and archive, connect with audiences locally and internationally, and sustain their artistic practice within the global documentary landscape. 

IBF amplifies independent filmmakers and documentary cinema from regions where access to funding and distribution for creative documentary film is structurally challenging. Your support helps bold, critical filmmakers explore new perspectives, experiment with form, and reach audiences locally and globally. This builds a foundation for filmmakers to sustain international careers, strengthens regional film ecosystems, and expands the diversity of voices in the global documentary landscape.

Explore our Activity Report 2024 2024 to see IBF’s impact, made possible by your support.

Read more about how your contribution can make a difference below.

• Annual report 2024
• Annual report 2023
• Annual report 2022
• Annual report 2021
• Annual report 2020
• Annual report 2019

Financial reports can be accessed on the Dutch side of this page.