Every November, Amsterdam becomes the global capital of documentary film. Since its start in 1988, the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) has evolved into the world’s leading festival for creative documentaries, bringing together filmmakers, artists, and audiences from every corner of the planet.

IDFA 2025 once again transforms the city into a playground of truth, imagination, and connection, celebrating the power of real stories to spark reflection and change. From award-winning premieres to immersive new media and experimental storytelling, this year’s edition explores how documentaries shape the way we see the world.

IDFA draws together everyone who’s captivated by the art of real storytelling. From film lovers and artists to curious minds exploring Amsterdam’s vibrant culture. Each documentary opens a window into a different truth, offering something for every taste, from sharp political reflections to deeply emotional, poetic journeys.

In this guide, we’ll highlight the most exciting films, directors, artists, and programs of IDFA 2025, and help you discover which documentaries best fit your vibe.

Life Invisible

Directed by Bettina Perut & Iván Osnovikoff, transforms microscopic life into political metaphor, reminding us that the smallest organisms can carry the biggest truths.

Chile/UK - 2024 - Signed – European Premiere

Ghost Elephants

Directed by Werner Herzog, Ghost Elephants blends myth and memory in a haunting meditation on extinction.

US - 2025 - Signed - Dutch Premiere

The heart of IDFA — where bold new voices compete with visionary storytelling. Expect emotional intensity and cinematic risk-taking.

A showcase of festival favorites from around the world — perfect for viewers who want a curated hit list of the most acclaimed documentaries of 2025.

Gentle, human-centered films that celebrate connection and beauty — the program that leaves you quietly changed.

For the activists and futurists. These forward-thinking, socially engaged documentaries imagine how we might rebuild the world.

Provocative works tackling urgent social issues and power structures — ideal for those who love documentaries that start conversations (and sometimes arguments).

IDFA’s wild side: experimental, genre-bending, and visually daring. Great for anyone drawn to avant-garde cinema.

A program dedicated to established masters like Werner Herzog and Sofia Coppola — films that remind us why cinema still matters.

Explores the machinery of power — perfect for political minds questioning how systems shape our lives.

The future of documentary: VR, AI, interactive media. Step inside the story instead of just watching it.

Big ideas for small audiences. A thoughtful introduction to documentary for kids and families.

Not sure where to start? Let your mood guide you:

• 💭 Curious thinker → Envision Competition
• 🧡 Emotion-driven dreamer → Luminous
• ⚡ Social activist → Frontlight
• 🎨 Art lover → Art & the Artists
• 👾 Tech explorer → IDFA DocLab
• 👪 Family experience → IDFA Junior

Pick your vibe and let IDFA surprise you. Check what’s screening near you on Outhere, your cultural compass to all things happening in Amsterdam.

At its core, IDFA 2025 is more than a film festival, it’s a meeting point for empathy, creativity, and truth. Each screening is an invitation to see the world through someone else’s eyes.

With OUTHERE, you can explore every IDFA screening and side event across Amsterdam, follow your favorite filmmakers, and find the documentaries that resonate with you most. Whether you’re into art, activism, or pure cinematic beauty, our app and website make it effortless to stay connected to the city’s cultural heartbeat.

Dive into the world of IDFA 2025. Visit the official IDFA program or open the OUTHERE guide to plan your festival days — and let Amsterdam’s stories move you, one film at a time.