IDFA 2025: watch tips (recommendations)

From 13 to 23 November, Amsterdam will host the 38th edition of IDFA, the world’s largest documentary film festival. Immerse yourself in new work by both emerging talents and established filmmakers, with world premieres, popular festival films and thematic programmes.

Want to know more about the IDFA programme? Click here. Below are ten recommendations.

Under the Flags, the Sun

Alfredo Stroessner ruled Paraguay with an iron fist from 1954 to 1989, as shown in the film *Under the Flags, the Sun* through propaganda images of his personality cult.

At the same time, the film shows the oppression of opponents and the outbreaks of violence that were omitted from official propaganda. The documentary concludes with his fall and the staggering number of victims under his rule.

Tickets & info: see website IDFA

Amílcar

Amílcar Cabral, born in Guinea-Bissau to Cape Verdean parents, became the charismatic leader of the anti-colonial struggle against Portugal and an inspiration to other African liberation movements.

The film combines his poetry, letters, archival footage, and atmospheric images to paint a picture of a visionary leader who was both diplomatic and ruthless. As his dream of freedom draws nearer, so does the threat of the Portuguese army and internal subversion, leading to his mysterious assassination in 1973.

Tickets & info: see website IDFA

We Are Pat

In the 1990s, the TV show Saturday Night Live featured the popular sketch “It’s Pat,” about a non-binary character who was both a role model and a source of discomfort because of how ridiculous they were.

Filmmaker Rowan Haber, together with trans and non-binary comedians, explores how Pat can now be reclaimed and talks to creator Julia Sweeney about the intentions behind the character. The film *We Are Pat* humorously and critically examines whether something that used to be ridiculed can be transformed into something empowering.

Tickets & info: see website IDFA

A Misses Call

In ‘A Missed Call’, a man finds himself in a deserted, surreal universe far from home, where human connection is lacking. As he recounts his life and feels homesick, memories and images from the past intertwine with an alternative reality. The film combines video game elements with 8mm footage of the filmmaker’s grandfather, exploring themes such as loneliness, regret, and the search for connection.

Tickets & info: see website IDFA

Nomad Spirit

María ‘Chena’ Benítez works as a seasonal laborer doing heavy physical work, which is becoming increasingly difficult due to climate change. Despite a knee injury, she must continue working to support her family. In her diary, she expresses her feelings and doubts about her difficult life and future.

Tickets & info: see website IDFA

IDFA Dance Night

From documentary to dance floor! Order a drink, dance along, and celebrate the night at IDFA Dance Night. Music, festival vibes, and dancing the night away. IDFA Dance Night is the afterparty for everyone!

Tickets & info: see website IDFA

kiss kiss bang bang

Director Ollie Launspach makes a graduation film about his gender transition and its impact on his relationship with his girlfriend Sterre Mulder.

Through open, sometimes difficult conversations and playful collage images, an intimate and loving film emerges. Despite uncertainties, it becomes a moving declaration of love that embraces their relationship.

Tickets & info: see website IDFA

Do You Love Me

With Do You Love Me, Lana Daher has created a personal, non-chronological film about Lebanon and Beirut, constructed from archive footage spanning the past seventy years.

The film interweaves stories and memories surrounding the civil war with contemporary situations, offering a unique reflection on the complex identity of the country and its capital.

Tickets & info: see website IDFA

The Long Way to the Pasture

In spring, a Kyrgyz shepherd family moves with their livestock to summer pastures in the mountains, a timeless and arduous journey full of hardship.

The film shows the connection between humans, animals, and nature in a beautiful, inhospitable landscape. This poetic account was awarded at the Oberhausen International Short Film Festival.

Tickets & info: see website IDFA