IDFA 2023: A celebration of documentary innovation and cultural exploration
Honoring Johan Grimonprez: A master of narrative disruption
The 37th edition of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) is set to take place from November 14 to 24, and this year, it promises to be a remarkable event for documentary enthusiasts. The festival will honor Belgian artist and filmmaker Johan Grimonprez, whose film Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat won an award at Sundance earlier this year. Grimonprez is known for his uncompromising approach to challenging narratives and reinterpreting historical events through a critical, contemporary lens.
Grimonprez first gained international acclaim with his 1997 film Dial H-I-S-T-O-R-Y, which examined the history of airplane hijackings and the media’s role in shaping public perception. His latest work, Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat, delves into the decolonization of Congo, using jazz as a means of protest to explore the international context behind the 1961 murder of Congo’s prime minister, Patrice Lumumba. Both films will be showcased at IDFA, along with other notable works like Double Take (2009), Shadow World (2016), and Blue Orchids (2017).
An extended conversation with Grimonprez will be a centerpiece of this year’s edition, offering audiences a unique opportunity to engage with his singular exploration into the development of present-day media.
Dead Angle: Illuminating the dark corners of our awareness
This year, IDFA introduces a multi-year curated program called Dead Angle. This program uses documentaries as a torch to illuminate the dark corners of our awareness, delving into the complex symbolism of borders. It explores borders not just as physical barriers, but as profound metaphors for identity, community, and the human condition.
Among the confirmed titles in this section is The Great Wall by Tadhg O’Sullivan, an essay film that maps the borders around Europe in light of the migration crisis, based on a short story by Franz Kafka. Another notable film is Route 181, Fragments of a Journey in Palestine-Israel by Michel Khleifi and Eyal Sivan, where Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers travel along the 1967 partition lines that divided Palestine, exploring how people evoke the frontiers that separate them from their neighbors.
By reflecting on how documentary filmmakers approach these simple yet complex territorial perimeters, the program will invite audiences and artists to engage in meaningful discussion and nurture critical awareness. The first nine titles in the program have been announced, with the complete list of selected titles to be confirmed on October 15.
Spotlight on Cuba: A deep dive into Cuban cinema
In a dedicated program of 19 films, Spotlight on Cuba will examine the complex political history of Cuba. This program includes a retrospective of the pioneering Afro-Cuban filmmaker Sara Gómez and a curation of films made by students of the EICTV (the international film and TV school of San Antonio de los Baños in Cuba).
The program will explore the paradoxes of our perception of Cuba as both revolutionary utopia and dystopia. It also offers a glimpse into the ways these students exercise artistic freedom in one of the world’s most distinguished film schools. The 19 titles that make up the program have been announced, promising a rich and diverse exploration of Cuban cinema.
IDFA on Stage: Bridging film, new media, and performing arts
The IDFA on Stage section is a boundary-breaking, interdisciplinary program of live cinema events, bridging film, new media, and the performing arts. Highlights include two projects presented together with IDFA DocLab: the innovative performance Thanks for Being Here by Belgian theater group Ontroerend Goed, presented together with De Brakke Grond, and the live performance Drinking Brecht by New York and Istanbul-based artist Sister Sylvester, which incorporates microbiology into the mix.
The full program for IDFA on Stage will be announced in October, promising an exciting blend of artistic disciplines.
IDFA DocLab: Pioneering new media experiences
The 18th edition of IDFA’s pioneering new media program, IDFA DocLab, has confirmed the first titles set to premiere at an immersive documentary art exhibition. This year, the exhibition will be presented at De Brakke Grond, ARTIS-Planetarium, and the newly added location, Droog.
These first announced titles are the works of the four winners of the Film Fund DocLab Interactive Grant, ranging from augmented reality apps to immersive installations. The full IDFA DocLab program selection will be announced in October, promising a cutting-edge exploration of new media in documentary filmmaking.
A festival of discovery and reflection
IDFA 2023 promises to be a festival of discovery and reflection, offering audiences a chance to engage with groundbreaking documentaries and innovative media experiences. Whether you are a cinema enthusiast, a TV series aficionado, or a music lover, this year’s festival has something to offer for everyone. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the rich and diverse world of documentary filmmaking at IDFA 2023.