Film lectures
"Documentary clips open up the conversation"
IDFA Film Lectures reveal, deepen, create awareness and initiate dialogue.
Introduction IDFA
In 38 years, IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam) has grown into the largest documentary festival in the world. IDFA considers the documentary to be an artistic expression and, at the same time, a vehicle for ideas and opinions in the cultural, social and societal domains, in science, technology and politics. They play an essential role in the global information and communication process. Unlike current affairs programmes and news broadcasts, creative documentaries offer personal perspectives on complex social realities. Documentaries bring structure to people's opinions and promote the exchange of information in a society that is constantly confronted with new challenges.
Film lectures
IDFA has screened countless remarkable documentaries that touch on the major and minor themes and discussions of today. This has resulted in a wealth of unique film clips that can be used, even separately, to stimulate meaningful conversations.
An IDFA Film Lecture or film workshop features inspiring excerpts from IDFA documentaries, centred around a specific theme. It is a powerful way to facilitate interaction between participants, engaging both their heads and hearts. In the discussions between film scenes, everyone's awareness of situations and events grows, and new possibilities for dealing with the theme or issue unfold.
The discussion leader continually challenges participants to exchange their perspectives with each other. This process therefore stimulates in-depth and enriching discussions within your organisation or team. It also works well to do this with external relations, in order to strengthen the connection with your organisation.
The professional and experienced discussion leaders at Filmlezingen.nl, with whom IDFA collaborates, each work in their own way as facilitators in the field of leadership, (team) development and dialogue.
"The power of watching documentary clips together and discussing them is significant.
You are all watching the same thing, but you all see something different, pick up on different elements, and notice different things.
The beauty of it is that everything is true, and the discussion about what you observed and why is particularly valuable"
Miriam Kartmann
Chief People Officer & Executive Vice President KLM
Themes
In preparation for a film workshop, the facilitators discuss the objective of the meeting with the client. They also discuss which theme and specific perspectives best match the issues facing the organisation and the participants. Based on this, we select appropriate IDFA film clips and, in consultation, put together a tailor-made interactive programme.
We can provide an IDFA film lecture on the following themes:
Collaboration and team development
In order to deepen customer relationships, motivate (young) employees, improve or innovate your services, and increase profitability, it is essential to break down silos and collaborate intelligently. Between generations and between disciplines. Within and between teams. This includes focusing on team development and, for example, working on mutual trust through bonding. In a tailor-made film workshop, we offer a setting where you can be inspired by fascinating examples and take a closer look at your own teams, interaction and collaboration.
Leadership
Discussions about leadership in organisations are essential because they provide insight into how you want to shape development, role modelling and organisational culture together. Yet this topic often does not receive the attention it deserves because it becomes subordinate to daily operational tasks and short-term goals. In a film workshop, we discuss leadership qualities and behaviour, thereby creating a shared awareness of the type of leadership you do or do not want to promote in order to contribute to the success and growth of the organisation, both at an individual and team level.
Ethics
Moral questions arise in every industry. And everywhere, people who have moral questions often feel alone. It takes courage and practice to have a good conversation about sensitive moral issues as a team. But it is necessary, because no one has a monopoly on the truth. In a film workshop, we offer a safe setting to learn about each other's moral considerations, whether they concern social issues, professional ethics, or moral standards in the workplace.
Equality and inclusion
Film clips make a conversation about equality and inclusion very concrete and tangible. If only because everyone sees something different, interprets the images differently and draws different conclusions. A film workshop offers a safe way to explore differences and similarities, and to discover what inclusive behaviour means in your context.
"IDFA Film Lectures adds an extra dimension to substantive discussions. The images allow you to feel the dilemmas, enabling you to delve deeper into the subject matter much more quickly" Iemke Imhof Office Director, JBR Zeist
IDFA Film Lectures: a few possibilities
An excerpt from a documentary is a fantastic conversation starter – also for meetings with directors and supervisory board members, for example. People in positions of ultimate responsibility, who are used to approaching matters rationally, can gain new perspectives when they engage in conversation with others based on the (personal) emotional experience that the excerpt evokes in them. Film workshops are also very suitable for inclusion in leadership programmes, training courses or team development programmes. And, as mentioned above, they are also ideal for events with external relations.
The facilitators
The team IDFA is collaborating with for this unique proposition consists of trainers, coaches, facilitators and session designers from Filmlezingen.nl, all of whom have extensive experience in the business world and/or the public sector. They are skilled in facilitating discussions and groups at the highest level within organisations. IDFA and Filmlezingen.nl have jointly set up and developed the IDFA Film Lectures proposition.
Meet the (core) team
Alexander van Velzen. After completing his law degree, Alexander van Velzen worked for years as an entrepreneur in the financial services sector. Enriched by that experience, he retrained as a leadership consultant and executive coach. Through his company Van Velzen & Partners, he works at the highest level in business and government, both individually and with teams. His inquisitive and interested attitude, combined with a big heart and strong intuition, makes Alex an ideal sparring partner. From an early age, he has had a fascination for films and stories.
Caroline Wiedenhof. After a career as a diplomat, Caroline Wiedenhof held various positions as a manager and director in the public and cultural sectors. Her style is characterised by relentless gentleness, disarming honesty and surprising creativity. Through her company Duodecima, she has been facilitating personal development programmes and workshops for many years, using film, poetry and other art forms. She also works as an advisor, programme maker and discussion leader for the government-wide Dialogue & Ethics programme.
Robbert Braak is a psychologist, coach, leadership trainer and developer of learning programmes, but also a loyal rebel who brings depth and cheerfulness. He worked for the top echelons of the national government on leadership development and developed numerous learning programmes for coaches within the government. He now works as an independent coach and leadership trainer in the business world and the public sector through his company jebentbeterdanjedenkt. Together with his clients, he creates new narratives that suit the leader, the team or the organisation.
Elsemiek Meijs After completing her engineering degree, Elsemiek Meijs worked as a manager in the business world. When she discovered the power of stories to bring about change, another side of her awakened. Now, through her company Liefde voor Leiderschap (Love for Leadership), she offers solid and secure support to the ‘Chiefs’ of organisations. Elsemiek likes to focus on the (personal) role of the leader in guiding human organisations. Her analytical acumen and gentle strength make her an effective leader and coach.
Marcel Karreman With his calmness and seniority, he encourages his conversation partners to let go of the familiar and explore new avenues. Marcel's company MKLA focuses on leadership development, with the same dedication to the board as to the professional on the work floor. In his work, he always uses film clips to explore the connection between your life path and your role as a leader: who am I, what motivates me, how can I make a meaningful contribution to my team, the organisation and society?
Karlijn Slegers believes that our society faces major challenges, but that we can do something about them. According to Karlijn, the key lies in understanding each other better and daring to break new ground together. She helps organisations to communicate better and innovate more. Her business associates describe Karlijn as substantive and creative, calm and enthusiastic, clear and sensitive. By following her own curiosity, she inspires others to do the same.
Het Documentaire Paviljoen
Since 2024, IDFA has been located in the Documentary Pavilion in Amsterdam's Vondelpark! At this historic location, IDFA is visible as an international festival throughout the year and plays a major role in the cultural life of the capital. In this way, IDFA is evolving from a festival into a physical institution.
The Documentary Pavilion is therefore also the perfect location to organise IDFA Film Lectures with teams, management or business relations. A new cinema has been built, and there is also a studio and workshop space available. Of course, the best thing about this location is its setting in the beautiful Vondelpark, with a special view of the city and the opportunity to get some exercise or take a walk during an event.
Want to know more about IDFA Film Lectures?
Neem contact op met: ibtisamnaqvi@idfa.nl, charlotteasser@idfa.nl of marloes@idfa.nl