Anne Jan Sijbrandij wins the NPO Documentary Talent Award 2025

From the jury report: "In the winning project, the creator, with genuine curiosity and a deep desire to understand what unites us, explores the origins and meaning of events that often remain hidden when we focus solely on the consequences. In doing so, the creator creates space for silence, observation, and a unique visual language. From the experience of his mother, who felt inferior to others, and the shadow this cast over her life, emerges a cinematic gesture that is not only personal and deeply felt, but also universal in its questions of identity and connection."

During IDFA Project Space NL 2025, six documentary talents are professionally guided to develop a film plan with accompanying visual material. This several-month workshop aims to assist talented filmmakers in their development and contribute to the creation of an artistic, high-quality development plan for a 55-minute documentary, or longer. This edition, participants were guided by professional tutors Aliona van der Horst and Soraya Pol, and received inspiring guest lectures from professionals across various disciplines.

An independent jury then reviewed their plans and selected the winner of the NPO Documentary Talent Award—an NPO Fund-supported development grant of €25,000. This grant enables the director to continue developing their documentary plan in collaboration with a broadcaster, after which they may enter a production funding application to the Fund.

This prestigious award, formerly known as the Karen de Bok Talent Prize, has previously been won by notable talents such as Paul de Ruijter, Marina Meijer, Shamira Raphaëla, Emma Lesuis, Huibert van Wijk, Roshan Nejal, Faydin Ramshe, and last year’s winner, Hannah van Tassel.

The 38th edition of IDFA takes place until November 23.