Talks
An IDFA festival experience is not complete without filmmaker Q&As, where the films and the stories behind their making are explored in depth. IDFA Talks form the heart of the festival, with hundreds of filmmakers from around the world gathering in Amsterdam for 11 days to present and discuss their work with audiences.
In addition to numerous Q&As, where the audience can engage directly with the filmmakers, IDFA also hosts several Film Talks. Experienced moderators from the Netherlands and beyond interview filmmakers, and sometimes the subjects of the films, right after the screenings.
Below is an overview with a selection of Talks. In Program per day you can see at the screening of the film whether there is a talk.
Talks
A Family, hosted by De Groene Amsterdammer
November 16 at 20:15, Kleine Komedie
Filmmaker Christine Angot will be in conversation with Xandra Schutte, editor-in-chief of De Groene Amsterdammer, a Dutch political magazine that appears weekly
No Other Land
November 17 at 20:45, Carré
Filmmakers Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham will be in conversation with IDFA’s Artistic Director Orwa Nyrabia and IDFA's 2022 Guest of Honour and filmmaker Laura Poitras.
Rule of Stone
November 18 at 13:45, Kleine Komedie
Jerusalem-born and Montreal-based filmmaker Danae Elon will be in conversation with Dutch news presenter Eelco Bosch van Rosenthal.
On the Border
November 18 at 17:00, Kleine Komedie
After the world premiere screening of On the Border, filmmakers Gabriela Schild and Gerald Igor Hauzenberger will be in conversation with IDFA programmer Sarah Dawson. They will be joined by protagonist Rhissa Feltou.
Dahomey
November 18 at 18:30, Tuschinski
Filmmaker Mati Diop will be in conversation with artist and researcher Quinsy Gario about the film and the topic of restitution.
Parajanov: The Last Spring
November 19 at 16:15, Tuschinski
Film curator and writer Dorota Lech will be in conversation with Martiros Vartanov, the son of filmmaker Mikhail Vartanov and head of the Parajanov-Vartanov Institute. This film serves as a beautiful yet unofficial companion piece to The Color of Pomegranates, which is also screening at IDFA.
Spotlight on Cuba: EICTV 2
November 19 at 17:15, Eye
After a screening of the EICTV 2 shorts compilation, a panel discussion about Cuban cinema as well as the role of the EICTV within Cuban filmmaking will take place. The conversation will take place in Spanish with English interpretation.
Trans Memoria, hosted by Stichting Prisma Group
November 19 at 21:00, Het Documentaire Paviljoen
After a screening of the film Trans Memoria, Neysara Ray, founder of Transgender India will be in conversation with transactivists Kaye Kandeza and Dora Leso, as well as non-binary performance artist Safa Mirror. This programme is hosted by Stichting Prisma Group, a Dutch organization that works towards empowerment of BIPOC LGBTQI+.
Home Game
November 20 at 17:00, Tuschinski
Filmmaker Lidija Zelović will be in conversation with film journalist Dana Linssen.
Filmmaker Talks
Another key pillar of the Talks program is the Filmmaker Talks, focusing on the guest's body of work through an in-depth interview. Renowned and emerging filmmakers dive into their craft and approach, offering insights for anyone interested in the art of documentary filmmaking.
Filmmaker Talk: Radu Jude
November 15 at 19:30, Kleine Komedie
Two films with one of the most innovative filmmakers working at present, Radu Jude. This compilation program explores love and death, the human body and its frailty, and the relationship between image and reality. Including Sleep #2 and Eight Postcards from Utopia, followed by a discussion with IDFA's Artistic Director, Orwa Nyrabia.
Filmmaker Talk: Farahnaz Sharifi
November 17 at 13:00, ITA
An in-depth conversation with award-winning Iranian filmmaker and editor Farahnaz Sharifi, delving into her use of archival resources and personal stories to bring powerful, synchronous storytelling to life. Moderated by film critic and curator of Film at Museum of the Moving Image, Eric Hynes.
Filmmaker Talk: Johan Grimonprez
November 17 at 15:00, Tuschinksi
This year’s Guest of Honor at IDFA, artist and filmmaker Johan Grimonprez, will deliver an extensive Talk entitled Maybe the Sky is Really Green, and We’re Just Colorblind, followed by a conversation with IDFA’s Artistic Director, Orwa Nyrabia.
Filmmaker Talk: Nicolas Philibert
November 18 at 13:00, ITA
An hour-long discussion with Nicolas Philibert exploring the creative ethos and boundless curiosity underpinning a career that spans more than 40 years, and that has established him as one of the most defining visionaries of contemporary French documentary film. Moderated by film critic Neil Young.
Filmmaker Talk: Lola Arias
November 19 at 13:00, ITA
An in-depth public interview with Argentine artist Lola Arias, whose practice spans film, theater, literature, and visual arts with an oeuvre that prompts deep reflections on historical events, geopolitical realities, and contemporary issues surrounding migration and state violence. Moderated by journalist Ela Bittencourt.
