International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam

Infobox Film Festival
name = International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam


caption = IDFA logo
location = Amsterdam, Netherlands
awards =
founded = 1988
host =
number =
language = International
website = http://www.idfa.nl

The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) is the world's largest documentary film festival held annually since 1988 in Amsterdam.

The festival was initially held at the Leidseplein area in the centre of Amsterdam. The festival has since spread to a number of other locations. Cinemas and other institutes that have hosted the festival are: de Balie, Pathé City Theater, Filmmuseum Cinerama, Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, Paradiso, the Ketelhuis, the Hotel Americain, Tuschinski Cinema, Pathé De Munt multiplex, Theatercompagnie and Arti et Amicitiae.

The objective of the IDFA is to promote creative documentaries and to present them to as wide an audience as possible. It started as a small festival and has grown to an eleven-day festival, screening more than 200 documentaries and attracting nearly 120,000 visitors.

Apart from its international film program, the variety of genres and the many European and world premieres featured each year, the festival also hosts debates, forums and workshops.

Prizes

Prizes at IDFA are awarded in different categories:
* The Joris Ivens Award for best documentary over 60 minutes in length.
* The Special Jury Prize winner equals "Special Mention" or "Runner-up Prize" on some other festivals.
* The Silver Wolf Award for best documentary under 60 minutes in length.
* The Silver Cub Award for films in a selection of 16 documentaries less than 30 minutes in length.
* The First Appearance Award for best debut film.
* The Audience Award for best film as voted by audience
* The Movies that Matter - Human Rights Award for best film dealing with human rights issues. Prior to 2006 this award was called the "Amnesty International Award".
* The DOC U! Award for best youth documentary selected by a special youth jury.
* The IDFA Student Award, introduced in 2007.

Award winners

VPRO Joris Ivens Award

ilver Wolf Award

Movies that Matter Human Rights Award

Zapper Award (1994 -1996)

External links

* [http://www.idfa.nl Official site]
* [http://www.docsthatinspire.com/?cat=2 Docs That Inspire Coverage of IDFA 2006]
* [http://youtube.com/user/IDFA Official YouTube channel of the IDFA] (contains all the movie trailers)