IDFA Forum Awards 2025 Celebrate Documentary Excellence in Amsterdam

The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) has announced the winners of the IDFA Forum Awards for 2025, celebrating outstanding contributions to documentary filmmaking. The award ceremony took place on Wednesday, recognizing innovative projects that push the boundaries of storytelling in the documentary genre.

Hao Zhou won the IDFA Forum Award for Best Pitch Project with his film All Fixed Up. The project explores a family’s attempts to “straighten out” their heir through a dramatic masquerade, delving into themes of care, identity, and cross-generational understanding. The award includes a cash prize of €1,500 (approximately $1,737).

In the category of Best Producers Connection Project, Kiva Liu‘s Four Comrades, One Echo was recognized for its unique insights and beautiful cinematography. The jury praised the film for its extraordinary bravery and the filmmaker’s distinctive voice, which challenges Eurocentric feminist narratives while embodying resilience and vulnerability.

Another notable winner is Nolwenn Hervé with The Cord, awarded Best Rough Cut Project. The jury described the film as “full of soul,” highlighting its raw, engaging nature and the multidimensional tenderness with which the main character is portrayed. They expressed anticipation for the film’s full release, emphasizing its importance in showcasing women’s resilience in challenging circumstances.

The IDFA DocLab Forum Award for Best Project went to Body Count by Cris Bringas. The jury underscored the significance of compelling storytelling in presentations, noting that the film’s pitch effectively captured the audience’s attention and conveyed the necessity of the story being told.

Additionally, Dreams of the Wild Oaks by Marjan Khosravibaledi received a special mention in the Best Rough Cut category. The jury commended the project for its outstanding cinematic style and its potential to tell a poignant local story with universal emotions.

The awards not only highlight the artistic achievements of these filmmakers but also provide crucial support for their projects. Each award includes a cash prize, along with additional resources such as closed captioning and subtitles for The Cord from inVision Subtitling.

The IDFA Forum Awards serve as a vital platform for emerging talents in the documentary field, fostering collaboration and innovation among filmmakers. The recognition of these projects reflects a commitment to elevating diverse voices and stories that resonate on a global scale.