IDFA FORUM PITCH
The IDFA Forum Pitch is the co-production and co-financing market at the heart of IDFA — the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, the world's largest documentary festival with 295,000 visits and 3,000 industry professionals each November. African documentary filmmakers submit a documentary project that is in production (not yet in post) for the Forum Pitch. If selected, the project is presented live to international broadcasters, distributors, and financiers. The selection committee explicitly considers geography and seeks a balanced global selection. Each selected project is listed in a printed IDFA Forum publication distributed to all Forum passholders, and the trailer is made available to all registered industry professionals before the event.
Deadline
IDFA Forum 2026: 16–19 November 2026. Submission window opens approximately 2 June 2026 via MyIDFA.
Cost
Participation fee applies — check professionals.idfa.nl for current rate
Format
Documentary projects only — in production (not yet in post). Not a completed film.
Eligibility
Independent production companies worldwide. Project in production (started shooting, not in post). Strong visual material (trailer/clip) required. No minimum financing required.
What You Get
Live presentation to international broadcasters and financiers. Feature in the IDFA Forum printed publication. Listing in the IDFA Forum online project collection. Free submission to IDFA festival upon completion. Free entry into the Docs for Sale catalogue (IDFA's distribution incubator).
What to Submit
Via MyIDFA: Logline (max 30 words). Synopsis (max 400 words). Project description (max 700 words). Director and producer bios. Password-protected Vimeo screener. Trailer or visual material. Financing details. Any confirmed financial commitments.
Insider Tips
GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN FILM & SERIES MAKERS | 2025/2026 EDITION | Updated March 2026 Compiled March 2026 directed by Cati Weinek with Fab Claude.. Always verify deadlines and eligibility on official programme websites before applying. NOTE: The IDFA Bertha Fund (entry 11) and the IDFA Forum Pitch serve different stages. The IBF provides cash grants for early-stage projects; the Forum Pitch is a co-financing market for projects in production. They can be combined. The quality of your trailer is everything — industry professionals use it before the event to decide which projects to request meetings with.
Watch for IDFA Forum submission window to open in early June 2026 at professionals.idfa.nl
Verify dates and eligibility on the official website before applying.
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