AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — “Trains,” a Polish documentary that delves into the lives of Europeans across the 20th century through a vivid exploration of their aspirations, calamities, and milestones, clinched the Best Film award at the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA). The film, crafted and edited by Maciej J. Drygas, stood out to the unanimous approval of the event’s five-member jury, earning Drygas a €15,000 prize. Additionally, “Trains” was also celebrated for its exceptional editing, further recognizing Drygas’s meticulous craftsmanship.
This year’s festival jury, comprising industry professionals Juliana Fanjul, Sophie Fiennes, Grace Lee, Asmae El Moudir, and Kazuhiro Soda, praised the film for its innovative use of archival footage. The panel described “Trains” as a captivating cinematic excursion that effectively bridges historical events with the prevailing sentiments of the modern industrial era, evoking both nostalgia and critical reflection among its audience.
In other major wins, Auberi Edler received the Best Directing award for her insightful documentary “An American Pastoral,” coming with a €5,000 prize. The film offers an immersive look into the complex sociopolitical landscape of the United States following the recent presidential elections. The decision was lauded by the jury for its profound observational depth that engages viewers directly with its subjects, providing a nuanced exploration of community dynamics within the country.
Achievements in cinematography were also highlighted at the festival with Zvika Gregory Portnoy and Zuzanna Solakiewicz taking the accolade for their work in “The Guest.” Their unique visual storytelling approach effectively captured the juxtaposition of personal narratives against broader societal issues.
“The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing,” directed by Theo Panagopoulos, won the Best Short Documentary, claiming another €5,000. The film, characterized by its archival aesthetic and compelling narrative on colonial power dynamics, was especially noted for its transformative perspective on historical footage that challenges traditional narratives.
Additionally, the Envision Competition, which focuses on innovative cinematic techniques, saw “Chronicles of the Absurd” by Miguel Coyula win Best Film. The jury awarded the film for its complex narrative structures and its adept use of audiovisual elements to express political statements, accompanied by a €15,000 prize.
In IDFA’s segment for youth documentaries, “Everything Will Be Alright” by Eefje Blankevoort and Lara Aerts, targeted at audiences aged 13 and above, took home a €2,500 prize. The film was particularly noted for its engagement with young viewers through contemporary issues.
Furthermore, new artistic voices were celebrated with the Best First Feature award going to “CycleMahesh” by Suhel Banerjee, and the Best Dutch Film awarded to Luuk Bouwman for “The Propagandist,” both accompanied by a €5,000 prize each.
Engagement with technological advancements in storytelling was also evident, with Lisa Schamlé winning the IDFA DocLab Award for Immersive Non-Fiction for “Me, a Depiction.” This work was heralded for its innovative approach to digital representation and its exploration of personal identity in digital spaces.
The festival, now in its 37th edition, continues to be a pivotal platform for documentary filmmakers globally, offering a space for diverse and potent storytelling that challenges, delights, and informs its international audiences.
As the world’s premiere event for documentary film discussion and development, IDFA’s offering this year reaffirms its commitment to the enrichment of global documentary filmmaking.