The IDFA Forum announced the winners of its 2025 edition during a ceremony held at the Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA). All Fixed Up, by filmmaker Hao Zhou, received the IDFA Forum Award for Best Pitch Project, while Four Comrades, One Echo, by Kiva Liu, won the IDFA Forum Award for Best Producers Connection Project. Meanwhile, The Cord, directed by Nolwenn Hervé, won the IDFA Forum Award for Best Rough Cut Project, and Body Count, by Cris Bringas, received the IDFA DocLab Forum Award for Best Project. Each award includes a cash prize of €1,500.

In addition, The Cord will receive closed captioning and subtitling services from inVision Subtitling. The jury also granted a Special Mention to Dreams of the Wild Oaks, by Marjan Khosravibaledi, for its outstanding proposal in the Best Rough Cut Project category.

The jury for the Best Pitch Project highlighted the “strong visual language and genuine intimacy that push the boundaries of documentary cinema” in All Fixed Up. The project also received support from the IDFA Bertha Fund in 2025.

In the Producers Connection category, the jury praised Four Comrades, One Echo for “its unique insight, beautiful cinematography, and extraordinary bravery,” as well as for challenging “Eurocentric feminist narratives” through clear authorship and sharp humor.

The Best Rough Cut Project Award went to The Cord, described by the jury as “a film full of soul—raw and deeply engaging.” They highlighted its main character, “as soft as she is fierce,” portrayed with “multidimensional tenderness” that invites viewers into her world. According to the jury, it is a film that “deserves to be widely seen” for its portrayal of women who support their communities amid adversity.

Finally, the DocLab Award recognized the presentation of Body Count for its ability to capture “hearts and minds” from the very first minutes, demonstrating a narrative that immerses the audience in its world even before any logistical details are revealed.

Winners:

All Fixed Up, de Hao Zhou – Best Pitch Project

Four Comrades, One Echo, de Kiva Liu – Best Producers Connection Project

The Cord, de Nolwenn Hervé – Best Rough Cut Project

Body Count, de Cris Bringas – IDFA DocLab Forum Award for Best Project

Dreams of the Wild Oaks, de Marjan Khosravibaledi – Mención Especial (Best Rough Cut Project)