IDFA 2020 opens with Nothing but the Sun in Tuschinski and online

The 33rd International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) was officially opened in Pathé Tuschinski and online. The first hybrid edition of IDFA runs in over 40 theaters throughout the Netherlands and online until December 6.

The opening night ceremony took place in Tuschinski in addition to being livestreamed online, where Artistic Director Orwa Nyrabia welcomed audiences from around the world. Ingrid van Engelshoven, the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science delivered the evening’s opening remarks.

“Standing in an almost-abandoned Tuschinski theater in the heart of Amsterdam, looking at hundreds of empty red seats is a painful illustration of the impact of the pandemic. At the same time, I am incredibly proud and happy that IDFA is still able to go ahead this year, as are all of the professionals who worked on the many documentaries that will be shown in the coming weeks. Here, live, in dozens of Dutch cinemas, and online, in thousands of living rooms across the globe,” said Ingrid van Engelshoven, Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands.

“Art is never measurable. Its value, its impact, and even its very meaning are all living creatures. They change with time, they change with place, they change us and we change them continuously. So, this edition of IDFA is a tribute to you, our filmmakers and artists, and even more to those of you whose accomplishment might not be measurable by the immediate response of the market or the media. We believe in these films and new media works, we know they will live long and they will be discovered and re-discovered again and again,” concluded Orwa Nyrabia, Artistic Director of IDFA.

The hybrid edition of this year’s IDFA gave the festival the unique opportunity to welcome approximately 100 international filmmakers to the opening ceremony, uniting dozens of countries on one screen.

The opening night ceremony and the world premiere of Nothing but the Sun was available via livestream to a local audience and international guests worldwide.

Until December 6, IDFA takes place in over 40 theaters and venues across the Netherlands and in online cinemas, where it will present 257 films and new media projects from 72 countries, including co-production countries.

IDFA welcomes over 2,500 professional guests who will attend the festival in Amsterdam and online, and it will host 136 world and international premieres. IDFA’s festival selection includes 48% women filmmakers, with 57% women filmmakers in the competitions.

Opening film of IDFA 2020: Nothing but the Sun by Arami Ullón

The festival opened with Nothing but the Sun (Paraguay, Switzerland), directed by Paraguayan-Swiss director Arami Ullón, who took to the stage after the screening.

The 33rd edition of IDFA lasts until Sunday, December 6. The IDFA Awards Ceremony will take place on the evening of Wednesday, November 25, where the winners in the various competition categories will be announced.

IDFA puts health and safety first. The 33rd festival edition will take place in over 40 theaters throughout the Netherlands and online, with comprehensive hygiene measures in place at all on-site venues. See the latest updates at idfa.nl/covid-19.

Source:IDFA