This year’s Guest of Honor is revered filmmaker and video artist Hito Steyerl, who comes to IDFA with a curated Top 10 program and an extensive Filmmaker Talk. IDFA also presents a selection of films by the great Armenian filmmaker Artavazd Pelechian, including the European premiere of his new film Nature.
Festival
IDFA 2021
17 — 27 November 2021
© Raymond Depardon
Discover more than 250 films and immersive and interactive artworks, with plenty of talks and live events in between. From dozens of world premieres to the best of the international festival circuit, IDFA showcases new films from the world’s leading documentary directors and up-and-coming talents, and of course, the best documentaries by today’s Dutch filmmakers.
Documentary lovers, keep November 17 to 28 free in your calendar. The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam presents its 34th edition in cinemas throughout Amsterdam, including several special programs in Eye.
IDFA DocLab, the festival’s new media program, celebrates its 15th anniversary this year with the theme programme Liminal Reality, including an exhibition, VR gallery, and live performances. Other highlights include the festival’s two premiere-only sections, Luminous and Frontlight: always a go-to for cinephiles looking for a strong selection of poetic and urgent films.
still from Symbiosis (Polymorf, NL 2021)
Virtual reality experience Symbiosis
Inspired by the work of science historian and philosopher Donna Haraway, author of A Cyborg Manifesto, who will be in Eye for DocLab Live,the virtual reality experience Symbiosis for multiple users and multiple senses transports you to about 200 years in the future.
Watch the Symbiosis trailer:
And of course, the highest caliber films can be found in IDFA’s renowned competitions, where the festival’s top titles have a shot at a coveted IDFA Award, handed out by an international jury.
Films, talks & events
Visit idfa.nl for more information about the festival, the films in the program, and tickets.
Planning on having a drink or a bite to eat? Book online for Eye Bar & Restaurant.