Short Description

The IDFA Bertha Fund (IBF) is the only fund in the world dedicated solely to stimulating and empowering the creative documentary sector in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Oceania.

Documentary films supported by the IBF express the artistic vision of filmmakers, using strong visual treatments to tell compelling stories that can reach a global audience. We take risks on unknown and seasoned filmmakers, supporting their breakthrough from marginalized positions to the most respected platforms. Many IBF-supported films have gone on to win awards across cinema and television.

IBF Classic Categories

Projects can be entered for IBF Classic in two categories: Project Development and Production & Post-production.

Project Development: This grant supports directors in their research, writing and/or production of visual material for the project presentation. The maximum development contribution per project is €7,500. The grant should strengthen the position of the director within the overall setup of the production and should be considered as the director’s contribution to the financing plan. Applications must be entered by the director.

Production & Post-production: This grant supports filmmakers in the realization of their project. The maximum (post-)production contribution per project is €25,000. The grant can be spent on all forms of production and post-production, from filming and editing to making the films suitable for screening in cinemas, on television, and at international festivals. Applications must be entered by the director or producer.

Eligibility

  • All directors attached to the project should have the nationality of a country as defined on the IBF Classic Country List and should live and work in a listed country.
  • If a project is selected, the contribution must be spent in a country on the IBF Classic Country List.
  • Projects from Bahrain, Hong Kong, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and United Arab Emirates are only accepted when they address political or human rights-related topics within the country itself.
  • A project can be entered only once for each category. There is one exception: if a project was rejected within the Production and Post-production category when it was in production stage, it can be re-entered only when all filming is completed, the project is in post-production stage ánd there is a rough cut available for entry. A project can be entered for Project Development and, at a later stage, for Production or Post-production, regardless of whether the initial Project Development entry was successful.
  • Entry forms must be filled out in English, with the exception of entries from French-speaking African countries and Haiti, which have the option to fill out the entry form in French. See: IBF Classic information and regulations in French.
  • All applicants have the option to enter a short video by the director introducing themselves and explaining their motivation for the project (instead of providing this in written form). If you prefer to make use of this option, the link to the short video can be pasted in the entry form.
  • The IBF Classic grant cannot be combined with funding from IFFR’s the Hubert Bals Fund.
  • Entries must be in our office on the day of the deadline at 23:59 (in the time zone of the applicant). Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
  • The project must be in line with IDFA’s mission statement. Documentary series or films that are part of a study curriculum are not eligible.

Specific requirements for IBF Classic – Development

  • Applications must be entered by the director of a project.
  • Project Development contributions are granted to the director of a project and can be spent on research, writing, shooting, and producing a visual presentation of the project.
  • Requirements for audiovisual material:
  • Entering original audiovisual material of the project is mandatory. This can be a teaser or selected research material, preferably representative of the style. A photo presentation or material from other resources that serve merely as stylistic example is not accepted.
  • Project Development entries should also be accompanied by one previous work, preferably representative of the filmmaker’s style. This previous film, although required for the jury’s selection process, is viewed only if necessary for decision making during the selection process.
  • The material must be in English or have English subtitles.
  • Vimeo or YouTube links must be in our office on the day of the deadline.

Specific requirements for IBF Classic – Production & Post-production

  • Applications must be entered by the director and/or producer of a project.
  • The main producer attached to the project must be based in a country on the IBF Classic Country List.
  • In case a co-producer from Europe, North America, or Australia is attached to the project, this producer cannot be the main producer of the project. The application must be filed by the main producer from a country on the IBF Classic Country List. In case the project is pre-selected, the applicant should provide a deal memo or co-production agreement which needs to contain detailed provisions on the following aspects: the participation of each co-producer in the financing of the project; joint ownership of all the rights; sharing of the revenues between the co-producers.
  • Requirements for audiovisual material:
    • If your project is in the production stage, you must enter a trailer, demo, edited sequence, or other audiovisual material from the project with a minimum length of 3 minutes and a maximum length of 20 minutes.
    • If your project is in the post-production stage, you must enter an edited sequence or a selection of the rough cut of approximately 20 minutes. Projects that have finished shooting will be considered post-production applications.
    • If your material is longer than 20 minutes, please indicate which part we need to watch or make a selection of 20 minutes which you think is most representative and/or complementary to the end result.
    • The material must be in English or have English subtitles.
    • The audiovisual material should be posted on Vimeo or YouTube. The link must be in our office on the day of the deadline.
    • The link should remain online for at least three months following the deadline.

Submission Requirements:

  • Basic details of the project
  • List of crew members
  • Logline (max. 50 words)
  • Synopsis (max. 400 words)
  • Project description (max. 1,500 words) which should include: the story structure, character description, and artistic approach
  • Topic summary or motivation (max. 1000 words)
  • Biography and filmography of the director(s)
  • Biography and filmography of the producer(s)
  • Project stage and timeline (max. 200 words)
  • Link to audiovisual materials (see above)
  • Implementation plan of research or fundraising teaser production (only for Development applications)

How to Apply

Online Application

Program Benefits & Awards

Project Development: This grant supports directors in their research, writing and/or production of visual material for the project presentation. The maximum development contribution per project is €7,500.

Production & Post-production: This grant supports filmmakers in the realization of their project. The maximum (post-)production contribution per project is €25,000.

Entry Fee

None

Location

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Timeline

  • Application Deadline: 10 June 2025

Website Link: https://professionals.idfa.nl/training-funding/funding/ibf-classic/

Fund