IDFA is almost here! The world’s biggest documentary festival, back again to shake us up with another year of mind-blowing creativity. Directors, producers, actors, and entire teams pour years of work into these films, offering their raw, artistic takes on real-world stories that need to be seen, documented, and shared with all of us.

To get ready for this incredible event, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Outhere to highlight the documentaries you can’t miss, check out the full post [here]. And to help you make the most of it, seeing as many films as possible without the stress, here’s your no-nonsense guide.

• Online Purchase (Recommended)

The easiest and most reliable way to secure your tickets is through the official IDFA website. You’ll need to log in to your MyIDFA account (or create one if you don’t have it yet) to complete your purchase.

• Physical Box Offices (Last-Minute Option)

While online sales are the primary method, IDFA also sets up physical box offices at screening venues during the festival. You might find last-minute tickets there, but availability is not guaranteed, popular screenings often sell out fast.

• Availability & Demand

Many high-demand films and events sell out quickly, so buying online in advance is your best bet. Always check the online program for real-time updates on ticket availability.

• Discount Passes & Accreditation

If you have a discount pass or accreditation, you can:

Reserve free tickets online (subject to availability).

Queue for last-minute slots at physical desks (first-come, first-served).

Pro Tip: Log in early, some passes allow online reservations, but popular slots fill up fast!

If you want to see multiple films at IDFA 2025, or going with friends and family, a discount pass is your best bet for big savings and flexibility. These passes are transferable, so you can share them with anyone, perfect for groups.

• 5 Screenings Pass Price: €52.50
• 10 Screenings Pass Price: €95
• 20 Screenings Pass Price: €170

How It Works

Buy your pass in your MyIDFA account, then select your films from the festival program. At checkout, your "Discount Pass" (€0) will appear automatically—just confirm to secure your tickets. You’ll receive your e-tickets by email, and they’ll also be saved in your MyIDFA account for easy access.

Important:

Discount passes are not valid for full-day programs like Best of IDFA or De Volkskrantdag.

Get Your Discount Pass Here

IDFA’s exclusive day-long programs are themed marathons curated by leading cultural voices. These require separate tickets (not covered by discount passes) and offer a deep dive into specific perspectives.

De Volkskrantdag at IDFA 2025, curated by Bor Beekman and Aimée Kiene, presents a diverse, handpicked selection of the festival’s most compelling documentaries, blending crowd favorites and hidden gems.

Get tickets and see more dates, times and venues.

De Groene Amsterdammer, one of the Netherlands’ leading cultural magazines, curates a full-day program at IDFA 2025. Featuring five thought-provoking documentaries, the selection dives into politics, society, history, and culture. A must-see for anyone who values documentary as a lens for reflection and insight.

Get tickets and see more dates, times and venues.

IDFA is about experiences! Here are the standout events you should mark in your calendar.

In this iconic venue, each screening is followed by an in-depth conversation, featuring filmmakers, protagonists, and experts. This exclusive series transforms the viewing experience into a dialogue, making it ideal for audiences who want to engage more deeply with the stories and ideas shaping contemporary documentary cinema.

Get tickets and see more details.

Experience the very best of IDFA in one convenient location, just ten minutes from Central Station at Pathé Noord. Enjoy comfy seats, tasty food options, and full festival vibes while catching award-winning and audience-favorite documentaries.

• Audience Favorites – Four of the festival’s most-loved documentaries, voted by the audience.
  
• Award Winners – Four top films handpicked by the professional jury for a day of exceptional cinema.
  
• Best of IDFA Light – A perfect evening featuring two standout films: one audience favorite and one award-winning gem, for those who want all the highlights without the overload.

IDFA 2025 is packed with conversations, debates, and interactive events that go beyond screenings:

Acclaimed filmmaker Susana de Sousa Dias discusses her work transforming archives into counter-histories, exploring memory, dictatorship, and colonial legacies. Moderated by IDFA’s Artistic Director, this talk accompanies a retrospective and Top 10 program of her films.

National Geographic Documentary Films returns to IDFA with two remarkable films: Love+War by Chai Vasarhelyi & Jimmy Chin, following war photographer Lynsey Addario as she balances danger and family, and Ghost Elephants by Werner Herzog, chronicling a zoologist’s quest to find the last of a mysterious giant elephant species in Angola. Both films combine stunning visuals with compelling, globally relevant stories.

NPO Doc IDFA Audience Award 2024 - No Other Land, directed by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor.

On November 22, the winner of the NPO Doc IDFA Audience Award will be revealed during a festive ceremony, followed by a screening of the winning film. Festival-goers vote for their favorite films by email, and daily results can be tracked online. The winner, a true crowd-pleaser, will be announced on November 21. Stay tuned!

IDFA presents two programs highlighting powerful stories and conversations.

• OneWorld: And She Didn’t Die – After the screening, filmmaker Kethiwe Ngcobo joins for a talk hosted by OneWorld. Using home videos, archives, interviews, and re-enactments, she explores the life of her mother, South African writer and resistance fighter Lauretta Ngcobo, discussing exile, Black women’s voices, and the oral storytelling tradition.
• Oxfam Novib Specials – Films addressing urgent global issues, each followed by in-depth discussions with filmmakers and experts. Highlights include Gaza’s Twins, Come Back to Me and How to Build a Library.

Join WeTransfer’s editorial platform, WePresent, for an evening of creativity and discovery through inspiring stories and visual experiences. Highlights include Memory, the first feature-length documentary by Vladlena Sandu, who reflects on her childhood experiences during the Chechen war, exploring how trauma can be transcended and transformed through film.

IDFA offers sensory-friendly screenings at the Ketelhuis and Het Documentaire Paviljoen, designed for a more comfortable viewing experience. Lights are dimmed, sound is lowered, trailers are skipped, and viewers can take breaks during the film. Morning showings make the screenings less crowded.

• Book early – Popular screenings and events sell out fast.
• Mix it up – Balance competition films, themed programs, and talks for a richer experience.
• Arrive early – Some venues (like Pathé Tuschinski) have long lines for popular screenings.
• Explore beyond films – Talks, VR experiences, and networking events add depth to your festival journey.

Now that you’ve got your IDFA game plan, it’s time to ditch the couch and dive into Amsterdam’s wild mix of screenings, talks, and after-screening vibes. The city turns into one big creative lab, films, ideas, and conversations everywhere you go.

Want more insider tips and local gems like this? Follow Outhere and discover the best art, culture, and entertainment events happening right now.