Thirteen bold documentary projects receive IDFA Bertha Fund support
The IDFA Bertha Fund (IBF) has announced the latest selection of documentary projects to receive support through its IBF Classic grant program. Since 1998, the Fund has championed independent documentary filmmakers from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, providing crucial funding and guidance to bring their stories to life.
This spring, thirteen projects have been selected from a pool of 475 applications, receiving a total of €219,700 in grants. These films—ranging from early development to post-production—offer bold, necessary perspectives on the world today.
IBF Classic is one of the leading global funding programs for documentary filmmakers in regions where resources for independent storytelling are limited. Beyond financial support, selected filmmakers benefit from tailor-made guidance through IDFA’s Filmmaker Support department, ensuring they have the tools to realize their creative vision.
This season’s selection features filmmakers from Argentina, Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Hong Kong, India, Morocco, the Philippines, Tunisia, and Vietnam. Notably, ten of the thirteen selected projects are debut or second-time feature documentaries. Two of the awarded projects remain anonymous for safety reasons.
“These thirteen projects each add a vital voice to the global documentary landscape," said Selin Murat, Executive Director of the IDFA Bertha Fund. "At a time when filmmakers around the world face increasing censorship and violence, our commitment goes beyond funding—we stand together as a global community, offering support, solidarity, and space for independent creative expression."
