IDFA – the largest documentary festival in the world – has just closed its 36th editionth edition, and it was memorable in all settings. Two hundred and fifty films screened in Amsterdam, representing work from around the world – from the Middle East to Africa, Asia, North and South America and Europe.
In a special edition of Deadline’s Doc Talk podcast, we report from the Amsterdam festival, speaking on location with five notable filmmakers, including Oscar winner Roger Ross Williams, who came to IDFA for the European premiere of his new Netflix documentary. Stamped from the startan examination of how racist ideas have permeated American culture.
Sex researcher Shere Hite
Courtesy of Iris Brosch/IFC Films/Sapan Studios
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Nicole Newnham tells us how European audiences reacted to her award-winning documentary The Disappearance of Shere Hiteabout the titular American sex researcher who became a sensation after the publication of her book The Hite Report in the 1970s, and was then virtually driven into exile by a harsh reaction to her discoveries.
‘Life is Beautiful’
Courtesy of IDFA
Palestinian filmmaker Mohamed Jabaly won the IDFA International Competition Award for Best Director for his world premiere Life is Beautiful. He joins Doc Talk for a discussion about his film, which revolves around his experience of being stranded in Norway in 2014 after the border with Gaza, where he lives, was closed during an escalation of hostilities between Hamas and Israel.
A Ukrainian girl holds a paper with vital information in ‘In The Rearview’
Courtesy of Maciek Hamela/Cinematic Movement
Polish filmmaker Maciek Hamela, whose documentary In the rear view Just received an IDA nomination for Best Documentary, it explains how and why it sprung into action after Russia invaded Ukraine and began transporting desperate Ukrainians to safety across the Polish border. His film is made up almost entirely of footage shot inside his minivan, as young, old and in between recount fleeing for their lives and reflecting on what they left behind.
‘As the Tide Rises’
Courtesy of IDFA
Spanish filmmaker Juan Palacios tells us how he made his world premiere As the tide rises, who competed in the International Competition. He traveled to a remote island off the coast of Denmark, burying himself in the mud – literally – to tell the story of life in such a desolate place for a farmer looking for love, and maybe a way out.
Five fabulous IDFA filmmakers on the latest edition of Doc Talk, our podcast hosted by Oscar winner John Ridley and Deadline documentary editor Matt Carey. Doc Talk is produced by Deadline and Ridley’s Nō Studios, and presented with support from National Geographic Documentary Films.
Listen to the episode above.
