IDFAcademy announces the 2026 participants and program

Welcoming emerging talent and new voices, IDFAcademy (November 12–15 at De Balie) offers participants a nurturing space for exchange and discovery. Its 2026  program of Talks, Sessions, Roundtables, and other activities equips filmmakers with the knowledge and skills to navigate the documentary industry, cultivate creative and professional collaborations, and foster solidarity and connection in these trying times.  

Alongside guidance from established filmmakers, peer exchange gives participants the opportunity to share their experiences and support one another in their creative journeys.  

This year’s participants represent 45 nationalities, reflecting IDFAcademy’s continued commitment to supporting diverse documentary voices. They include first- and second-time directors and producers selected through the annual open call, partnerships with European film institutes and organizations, and IDFA’s year-round talent development activities and engagement with filmmakers.  

Five directors and producers have previously received support from IDFA Bertha Fund (IBF) for their projects. 14 international participants from project-driven IDFA Project Space are taking part, alongside 5 people from its Dutch counterpart, IDFA Project Space NL. The IBF & IDFA Talent Presentations showcase works in progress of four international projects from IDFA Project Space and/or previously supported by the IDFA Bertha Fund. Six participants, selected for the Young Producers Program, a joint initiative between IDFA and the Netherlands Film Fund, are also participating in IDFAcademy and can access Forum. 

The program kicks off with an Opening Talk by accomplished filmmaker Mehran Tamadon. In conversation with IDFA’s Artistic Director Isabel Arrate Fernandez, he discusses his distinctive approach to filmmaking and his ongoing cinematic inquiry into human relationships, politics, and the possibilities of dialogue. Tamadon premieres Crack in the Head, Crack in the Sky (2026) in IDFA’s International Competition. His previous works include the diptych My Worst Enemy (2023) and Where God is Not (2023).  

In the IDFAcademy Talk: Meet the family, moderated by film critic Dana Linssen, the discussion features filmmakers Louis Hothothot (The Year of the Ghost (2026)) and Carol Nguyen (Still Night, Burning House (2026)), who turned the lens on their families in their recent films, set to premiere in the International Competition. The directors examine the challenges of portraying one’s own family on screen and balancing emotional proximity with artistic vision. 

In the much-anticipated IDFAcademy Talk: Joshua Oppenheimer, the renowned director delves into his creative approach to documentary cinema in his latest short film, The Revolution Against Death (IDFA Signed (2026)), alongside his other works. The IDFAcademy Talk: Creative producing – to hold a film, with Biljana Tutorov, co-director and producer of To Hold a Mountain, co-helmed with Petar Glomazić (2026). The film won the World Cinema Documentary Grand Jury Prize at Sundance earlier this year and now screens in IDFA’s Best of Fests. Tutorov is joined by the film’s executive producer, Bianca Oana (Anhell69 (2023)), as they explore the dual role of director and producer and how to protect artistic integrity amid the practical realities of production.  

In the IDFAcademy Talk: Releasing your story, sales agent Maëlle Guenegues (CAT & Docs) and director Afsaneh Salari, whose Tehran, Under the Skin (2026) screens in Frontlight, unpack the complexities of releasing a documentary, from finding the right allies to assessing when to involve sales and distribution partners to addressing the considerations arising around characters and politics. 

Interactive Sessions and Round tables provide a platform for filmmakers and industry professionals to swap their insights on practical matters, such as financing and (co)-producing. 

The IDFAcademy Session: Behind the scenes with ARTE, featuring ARTE France’s head of International Co-Productions Alexandre Marionneau, and Ukraine’s Tabor Production producer Eugene Rachkovsky, sheds light on the broadcaster’s collaboration opportunities with international producers, drawing on Militantropos (2025) as a case study. Producer Palmyre Badinier dives into international co-production at the IDFAcademy Talk: How to collaborate in a (co-)production. A discussion follows on the making of the international co-produced Ager Oueslati’s You Don't Die Two Times (2026) and Dongnan Chen’s Whispers in May (2026).  

The IDFAcademy Session: Debunking the myths continues the conversation with two sessions: Debunking the myths: the director – producer relationship, which examines the nuances of working with producers, directors’ rights, and author contracts; and Debunking the myths: Co-production relations, which focuses on the intricacies of co-producing, from reconciling funding needs with co-production terms to bridging different economic and production contexts to drafting a memo deal that fosters a fair partnership. 

The IDFAcademy Round tables: Finance & funding connects participant with fund representatives to learn about their support programs, selection criteria, and do’s and don’ts in funding applications. Veteran producer Mikael Opstrup again leads the IDFAcademy Talk: Presenting your documentary, offering hands-on advice and examples for crafting a strong pitch trailer. Four participants present their projects and receive feedback from a panel of industry experts, including Erika Dilday (POV), Jane Ray (The Whickers), and Liselot Verbrugge (Film Harbour).  

Beyond legal and production matters, the IDFAcademy Session: Me & the filmmaker returns to IDFAcademy to focus on well-being and the artist’s responsibility. Led by psychotherapist and former producer Rebecca Day (Film in Mind), the session invites filmmakers to reflect on their role (and potency) in this process and its emotional and creative impact on film participants at every stage of production. 

IDFAcademy looks forward to welcoming this year’s participants. The program features a lively mix of Talks, Sessions, Round tables, and other exchanges, made possible thanks to the generous participation of documentary professionals committed to sharing their experiences and knowledge with emerging talent.