The IDFA Bertha Fund has announced the opening of the 2026 call for its IBF Classic support scheme, aimed at backing documentary projects at various stages of development, production, and post-production. Applications are now open, with a single submission deadline set for February 10, 2026.

One of the main changes in this edition is the simplification of the schedule: starting in 2026, the IBF Classic programme will feature only one annual selection round. As a result, the two usual deadlines—December and June—have been merged into a single closing date, and there will be no call in June 2026.

The IBF Classic scheme is targeted at filmmakers who originate from or are based in countries included on the fund’s official list of eligible countries. The programme offers support for documentary projects at all stages, from early development through to the final phases of post-production.

The call includes two funding categories. The first, Project Development, is designed to support directors in research, writing, and/or the production of visual material required for the project’s presentation. In this category, the maximum contribution per project is €7,500. This support aims to strengthen the director’s position within the overall production framework and should be considered as the director’s contribution to the financing plan. Applications in this category must be submitted exclusively by the director.

The second category, Production & Post-production, is intended to support the realization of the project. The maximum contribution under this scheme is €25,000 per project, which may be allocated to various stages of the process, including shooting, editing, or finalizing the film for exhibition in cinemas, on television, or on other platforms. Applications in this category may be submitted by either the director or the producer.

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