The IDFA Bertha Fund (IBF Classic) invites documentary filmmakers from eligible countries, including Ukraine, to apply for financial support for creative documentary projects. The programme supports films at different stages of production and focuses on strong artistic vision and international relevance.
Importantly, IBF Classic aims to strengthen independent documentary filmmaking by supporting projects that reflect local realities while addressing global audiences. Therefore, the fund prioritises originality, cinematic quality and storytelling depth.
What the programme supports
The fund provides support for documentary films at various stages of development and production. In particular, projects can apply for one of the following categories.
Project Development – up to €7,500 for research, concept development, script writing or the preparation of presentation materials.
Production & Post-production – up to €25,000 for filming, editing, post-production and preparation of the film for cinema, television or online release.
Moreover, the programme supports projects that demonstrate a clear creative approach and the potential to reach international documentary audiences.
Who can apply
Applications are open to directors or producers who are citizens and residents of countries included in the IBF Classic eligibility list. Notably, Ukraine is among the eligible countries.
Eligible projects must be documentary films with a strong artistic vision, cultural relevance and international distribution potential. Additionally, the applicant must hold the creative rights to the project.
Additional opportunities
Beyond financial support, selected projects gain access to professional mentoring, international networking opportunities and the global documentary community connected to IDFA. As a result, filmmakers can strengthen their projects creatively and strategically.
Furthermore, supported projects may benefit from increased visibility at international festivals, markets and industry platforms.
Deadline
The application deadline is 10 February 2026.
More information
Detailed eligibility criteria, application guidelines and official documents are available on the IDFA website:
https://professionals.idfa.nl/training-funding/funding/ibf-classic/.
More funding opportunities for filmmakers, cultural professionals and creative teams are available in the grants section of the GetGrant service.