Highlights from IDFA 2024
The 37th International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) opened with an eclectic lineup of 254 films and 27 new media projects, promising audiences a blend of brilliant documentaries and bold narratives.
Artistic Director Orwa Nyrabia, marking his final year before stepping down in 2025, curated a festival filled with “instant classics” and groundbreaking explorations of current issues like borders, AI in creativity, and conflicts in the Middle East.
The Opening Film: About a Hero
IDFA 2024 launched with the world premiere of About a Hero, an experimental hybrid film featuring Werner Herzog—or an AI version of him. Director Piotr Winiewicz collaborated with machine learning engineers to create a script inspired by Herzog’s cinematic style, challenging Herzog’s bold claim that AI could not rival human creativity in filmmaking for “4,500 years.”
The film’s story—part mystery, part satire—examines the death of a German engineer working on an “infinity machine” while weaving surreal subplots like a love affair between a human and a toaster.
Bold Narratives on Conflict and Borders
Israel-Palestine Films Take Center Stage
This year’s IDFA features a profound array of films addressing the Israel-Palestine conflict:
- Eyes of Gaza: A harrowing portrait of three Palestinian journalists documenting life under siege in Gaza.
- Rule of Stone: Directed by Danae Elon, this film examines Jerusalem’s architecture as a tool of colonial power.
- The 1957 Transcripts: Ayelet Heller uses newly uncovered archives to explore the massacre of a Palestinian village and its aftermath.
- No Other Land: An Oscar contender, this West Bank-set documentary reflects the tensions between Palestinian villagers and the Israel Defense Forces.
Orwa Nyrabia emphasized the importance of these films, noting, “If people watched the great documentary works about Palestine-Israel, perhaps some of the tragic events of last year could have been foreseen—or even avoided.”
Special Focus: Borders
The festival’s new section, “Dead Angle: Borders”, dives into the complexities of borders and their human impact. The lineup includes:
- On the Border: Set in Agadez, Niger—a trade hub and migrant route to Europe.
- The Guest: A Polish family hosts a Syrian refugee amidst Europe’s increasing border restrictions.
Nyrabia explained, “Borders are one of history’s defining questions. Nations die for these lines, highlighting their absurdity and impact on human lives.”
Honoring Johan Grimonprez
This year’s Guest of Honor, Belgian filmmaker Johan Grimonprez, was celebrated for his Oscar-contending documentary Soundtrack to a Coup d’État. The film unpacks the covert actions of Belgium and the U.S. during Congo’s post-colonial transition.
Nyrabia praised Grimonprez as an “exceptional arthouse filmmaker” who balances artistic sensitivity with political depth, adding, “He exemplifies what documentary cinema can achieve.”
Nyrabia’s Legacy and Future
As Orwa Nyrabia steps down after seven transformative years, his departure signals the end of an era for IDFA. Known for navigating challenges like the pandemic and political protests, Nyrabia’s leadership leaves a bold legacy.
“Don’t feel sad,” he told audiences. “This is the right time for IDFA and for me to move forward.”
Looking Ahead
From the artificial creativity of About a Hero to the human stories behind borders and conflict, IDFA 2024 reinforces documentary cinema’s role as a mirror to society.
Running from November 14–24, this year’s festival leaves attendees with a call to action: to watch, reflect, and challenge the narratives shaping our world.
