IBF Classic Funding for Filmmakers

Support is available for documentary projects in all stages, from starting up and developing a project to the final phases of post-production.

IBF Classic Categories

• Projects can be submitted to IBF Classic in two categories:
  • Project Development:  This grant supports directors in their research, writing and/or production of visual material for the project presentation. The grant should strengthen the position of the director within the overall setup of the production and should be considered as the director’s contribution to the financing plan. Applications must be submitted by the director.
  • Production & Post-production: This grant supports filmmakers in the realization of their project. The grant can be spent on all forms of production and post-production, from filming and editing to making the films suitable for screening in cinemas, on television, and at international festivals. Applications must be submitted by the director or producer.

Funding Information

• Project Development: The maximum development contribution per project is €7,500.
• Production & Post-production: The maximum (post-) production contribution per project is €25,000.

Requirements

• General requirements for IBF Classic
  • All directors attached to the project should have the nationality of a country as defined on the IBF Classic Country List.
  • Projects from Bahrein, Bulgaria, Brunei, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and United Arab Emirates are only accepted when they address political or human rights-related topics within the country itself.
  • A project can be submitted only once for each category.
  • Entry forms must be filled out in English, with the exception of submissions from French-speaking African countries and Haiti, which have the option to fill out the entry form in French.
  • All applicants have the option to submit a short video by the director introducing themselves and explaining their motivation for the project (instead of providing this in written form).
  • The project must be in line with IDFA’s mission statement. Documentary series or films that are part of a study curriculum are not eligible.
• Specific requirements for IBF Classic – Development
  • Applications must be submitted by the director of a project.
  • Project Development contributions are granted to the director of a project and can be spent on research, writing, shooting, and producing a visual presentation of the project.
  • Requirements for submitted (audio)visual material:
    • Submitting original audiovisual material of the project is mandatory. This can be a teaser or selected research material, preferably representative of the style. A photo presentation or material from other resources that serve merely as stylistic example is not accepted.
    • The material must be in English or have English subtitles.
• Specific requirements for IBF Classic – Production & Post-production
  • Applications must be submitted by the director and/or producer of a project.
  • The main producer attached to the project must be based in a country on the IBF Classic Country List.
  • In case a co-producer from Europe, North America, or Australia is attached to the project, this producer cannot be the main producer of the project. The application must be filed by the main producer from a country on the IBF Classic Country List.
  • Requirements for submitted audiovisual material:
    • If your project is in the production stage, you must submit a trailer, demo, edited sequence, or other audiovisual material from the project with a minimum length of 3 minutes and a maximum length of 20 minutes.
    • If your project is in the post-production stage, you must submit an edited sequence or a selection of the rough cut of approximately 20 minutes. Projects that have finished shooting will be considered post-production applications.
    • If your material is longer than 20 minutes, please indicate which part they need to watch or make a selection of 20 minutes which you think is most representative and/or complementary to the end result.
    • The material must be in English or have English subtitles.
    • The audiovisual material should be posted on Vimeo or YouTube. The link must be in the office on the day of the deadline.
    • The link should remain online for at least three months following the deadline.

For more information, visit IDFA Institute.