Development
A post-screening talk in Pathé Tuschinski 1 with (from left to right) moderator Bahram Sadeghi, Head of Oxfam Novib’s Humanitarian Team Suying Lai, filmmaker Ousmane Samassekou, and producer Estelle Robin. Presented as part of the Oxfam Novib Selection. Photo by Sophia Maria Favela.
Partners are crucial for a festival like IDFA. Even in these challenging times, IDFA managed to strengthen the ties with existing sponsors and seal new exciting partnerships. IDFA 2021 was also the edition that saw a successful Friends campaign, enforcing the ties with our engaged audience.
Martijn van Dijk
Head of Development at IDFA: “Every year, IDFA is pleased to count on the support of a number of very loyal partners, who all embrace the art of documentary filmmaking and consider the festival of great importance. It encompasses a diverse mix of media partners, public and private (art) funds, and NGOs, but also commercial companies and private donors.
“IDFA is proud of its cultural entrepreneurship and the involved partnerships. As a BIS institution, IDFA can count on the structural support of the Municipality of Amsterdam and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. This subsidy makes up 25 percent of the budget. The other 75 percent is independently generated income, of which 25 percent comes from ticket sales. Approximately 50 percent of the budget, therefore, is income from fundraising and sponsorship. The Development team is responsible for developing relationships and partnerships to achieve this.
“IDFA's ongoing success—even during times of crisis—is made possible thanks to our partners. With the financial support of both new and existing partners, IDFA was able to stay the course in difficult COVID-19 times, and was even able to innovate and digitally transform itself.
“Luckily media partners such as VPRO and de Volkskrant were able to organize successful IDFA events again in 2021, and Oxfam Novib and WePresent by WeTransfer were once again able to present IDFA films, combined with in-depth discussions. We could also once again count on art funds such as Fonds 21, Netherlands Film Fund, Gieskes-Strijbis Fund, and Ammodo. The NPO supported the Audience Award for the first time, and we were fortunate to introduce Deloitte as a Premium Partner in addition to the VriendenLoterij. Last but not least, the hugely generous support of our 3730 Friends, 154 Special Friends, and 19 Special Friends+ shows a deep commitment to IDFA.”
Q&A with Irene Koel,
Special Friend of IDFA
Irene Koel is a dedicated and longtime Special Friend of IDFA. She is founder of the creative and strategic company The Zooooo and host of the podcast Monkey Talk where she interviews creative frontrunners.
What role does documentary film play in these times, in your opinion? I think documentary film plays a crucial role in bringing important stories to a broad audience in this changing world. The IDFA Bertha Fund, which I passionately support, plays an important role in this. To me, IBF films reflect the core of IDFA’s values. IDFA also offers me immense enrichment, by pushing me beyond what I know. It stimulates my curiosity and challenges my creativity—for example with the moving IDFA Bertha Fund-supported film Writing with Fire.
You host your own podcast called Monkey Talk, of which two episodes focussed on IDFA. Can you tell us more about that? In one episode I spoke to Artistic Director Orwa Nyrabia about creativity, and I was especially struck by his contemplative and philosophical view on the subject. He shows that creativity cannot be bargained for, and that it takes courage.
How does it feel to be a Special Friend of IDFA? As a Special Friend, I met many other nice and interesting people. We even have our own WhatsApp group, where we exchange movie tips like real friends. It has also greatly enriched my network.
The annual Special Friends Dinner in the lead-up to IDFA 2021. Photo by Coen Dijkstra.
Linda Mertens
Events & Partnership Manager, WePresent at WeTransfer:
“2021 marked the second year of our partnership with IDFA, and it really felt like we were working towards our event as one team. Almost everyone knows WeTransfer, but WePresent, the creative branch of our company that is mainly active in cities like New York, London and Los Angeles, is less known in the Netherlands. The collaboration with IDFA gives us the opportunity to show the power of our platform to a large group of film professionals—who often already use our services.
“At the same time, our ambition is to introduce IDFA to a diverse and creative audience with the documentary films and programs that we select together with the festival. It doesn't matter how old you are, what your background is, or how you identify. It's about seeing creativity as life energy."
Linda van Veldhuizen
Event Coordinator, Oxfam Novib: “For us, IDFA is the most important platform to bring our mission to the attention of a large audience. Documentary films are also ideal for reflecting on urgent social issues with an engaged audience. We were also delighted with the hybrid screenings in Pathé Tuschinski, which allowed us to expand our reach even further.
“IDFA and Oxfam Novib find overlap in our objective of reaching more young people and bringing them into contact with various themes and organizations—a goal we collaborate on throughout the year.”
WePresent Night at IDFA 2021. From left to right: Alex Kahl, staff writer WePresent; DJ Isis, DJ and cultural consultant; Nedda Sou, interdisciplinary artist; Dimitri, DJ and producer; Carlos Valdes, DJ and founder of IsBurning. Photo by Roos Trommelen.
