Mission & vision
Creative documentary films provide insight into society, open eyes, and stimulate critical thinking. IDFA is committed to addressing urgent social issues by presenting documentaries from around the world that reflect on the most pressing questions of our time. See what further drives us below.
Mission
IDFA is committed to strengthening the international documentary landscape by supporting the creative and professional growth of independent filmmakers, fostering inclusivity, and amplifying the voices of (underrepresented) filmmakers—ensuring their work reaches the audiences it deserves.
Vision
IDFA champions the creative documentary as a free, personal, and artistic lens on the complexities of our social reality. These films shape perspectives, illuminate what is both fragile and aspirational, and spark meaningful public debate.
Core values
At its core, IDFA is built on the creative documentary. Its guiding pillars are artistic excellence, audience engagement, and social impact. These are further shaped by four key principles: inclusion & accessibility, innovation & sustainability, new generations, and live & online. These principles will define IDFA’s direction in the coming years. More on these and other strategic priorities can be found in the 2025-2028 policy plan.
