April is finally here – and our 2025 festival is just two weeks away.
We will begin with an online showcase of international films on the 17th and 18th of April. Viewers from outside the Netherlands can access the event from the comfort of their own homes – with the selection of independent movies showing via the private theatre page of our website.
Then, on the 19th of April, we will present our annual showpiece event in the storied theatre of Filmhuis Cavia, in Amsterdam! This our sixth festival, and takes place as the city itself celebrates a major milestone – approaching its 750th anniversary since being incorporated.
Tickets for both programmes are selling fast – but there is still time to book your seat for all of the events. You can get yours for both our physical and digital events via the Indy Film Library tickets page, where there are breakdowns of both sets of programmes.
Tickets: Amsterdam IFL Awards Showcase
Tickets: Online IFL Awards Showcase
To whet your appetite for the upcoming feast of films, here’s what our reviews had to say about some of this year’s selection:
Up Close (2024) – Short Experimental
Filmhuis Cavia, Saturday 19th April, 17:00
“The film centres on that now most terrifying facets of modern life – accidentally making eye-contact with a stranger. Nanda Mohammad finds herself opposite Bissane Al Charif aboard a busy train, and horror upon horror, they catch each other glancing at the figure opposite… The power of the wordless performances from Mohammad and Al Charif cannot be understated. They run the emotional gamut in just four minutes, without ever threatening to become overwrought or exaggerated.“
Looking she said I forget (2024) – Short Narrative
Filmhuis Cavia, Saturday 19th April, 18:45
“Naomi Pacifique’s short film Looking she said I forget is an examination of this alienated and fruitless search – not so much examining non-monogamous relationships, as the nature of desire itself. Protagonist Lou finds herself lost in the supermarket, with the frailties of her relationship suddenly exposed by a move to Amsterdam… Pacifique has shown impeccable judgement, balancing direct storytelling with the creation of abstract moments, providing us space to enjoy the story, and use it as fuel to think about life beyond the black bars framing the action.“
Zāgbéto: Les Murmures du Masque (2024) – Short Documentary
Filmhuis Cavia, Saturday 19th April, 20:15
“Delving into one particular aspect of West African oral traditions, this is the retelling of the legend of the zāgbéto… In committing the story of Ahuefa and the zāgbéto to film, Akolly ties one historic narrative tradition into another, emphasising their similarities, and underlining how they both help us to find meaning, and survive in a hostile world. Stories still have a role to play when it is time to “illuminate the human experience”, however desperate and dark the night may seem.“
All Politics is Local (2023) – Feature Documentary
IFL website, Saturday 18th April, 19:00
“Wisely the directors let their subjects speak for themselves – there is no Voice of God narrator telling us what to think… All Politics is Local is a consummate piece of documentary filmmaking. Even if your opinion of elected politicians is they are all lying freaks, give this movie a try – it will inveigle you into the distinctly strange world of politics. The film may confirm your take, or it may not, but you will be in for ninety odd minutes of sheer fascination.“
My Dear (2022) – Feature Narrative
IFL website, Saturday 18th April, 19:00
“There were times, whilst watching My Dear, that I had to remind myself that this was the work of a debut director. The movie is such an accomplished, superbly crafted work of art, and so it was difficult to remember to give extra credit to someone just starting out in indy filmmaking. For IFL readers, try and catch My Dear – you will experience an hour of light in the gathering darkness. And watch out for future work from Aragon Yao – he could become a significant figure in indy cinema.“
A Mano (2023) – Feature Narrative
IFL website, Saturday 17th April, 19:00
“Over the course of 30 minutes, Fernandez and her own crew capture some truly exquisite imagery, pairing it with an intimate insight into the working relationships of the builders. We hear stories of hardship, antagonism, kindness and camaraderie from the labourers – as each of them explains not only why they are able to survive such gruelling work and difficult conditions; but why they have fallen in love with it.“
