IDFA 2013 now underway
The 26th edition of the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), officially opened Wednesday night in the Pathé Tuschinski Cinema with 'Return to Homs' by the Syrian director Talal Derki.
The film follows young rebels during the bloody guerilla in Syria from close by. Many of the young men in the film, including one of the cameramen, have fallen.
Peter Wintonick, a Canadian documentary filmmaker and IFDA talk show host, who was known for his commitment to guiding young filmmakers, and meant a great deal to the festival and the documentary world in general, passed away on November 18. Wintonick died of cancer in his home city of Montreal.
In memory of Peter Wintonick an extra award will be presented: the Peter Wintonick Special Jury Award for First Appearance, for a sum of €2,500, announced Ally Derks, festival director. Jan Rofekamp, sales agent at Canada's Films Transit supported the finances for the award. The IDFA will present this award as a tribute to Wintonick's work and spirited enthusiasm.
The Living Legend Award, an oeuvre prize of €5,000, was granted to Heddy Honigmann (1951, Lima), on opening night. Honigmann is considered one of the best documentary makers in The Netherlands. Frederick Wiseman, an American documentary maker, who was the previous and the first recipient of the prize, presented the award.
In the IDFA Mediafonds Workshop, the plan of Xander de Boer was picked and awarded the annual sum of €125,000 for the realization of the best film plan developed at the IDFA-Mediafonds Workshop. De Boer's film, ' Girls, Boys & Me' about a 26-year-old transgender.
