News

2025 Youth Jury Open for Applications

Our 2025 Youth Jury Programme is open for applications! If you are aged 18-23, based in the UK, and have a passion for documentary and the media industry, this is the programme for you. Apply by 10 January 2025, 12:00 GMT to take part.

News, Film, Community

Published on November 4

A group of filmmakers stand on a stage looking to the person on the far right who is holding a microphone. Behind them, a screen shows the words 'Sheffield DocFest 2023'

Applications open for Filmmaker Challenge 2024

Returning for 2024, we will select and support six filmmakers to make a short documentary in and around Sheffield during the festival.

Published on March 27

To the right of the image, a woman wearing a red top stands at a lectern in front of a pull up banner which says 'BBC Storyville'

BBC Storyville Development Pitch 2024

BBC Storyville is delighted to announce an opportunity to pitch to be part of its 2024 DocFest Development Programme. Storyville is passionate about feature documentaries, telling timely stories from across the world.

Industry, News, Film

Published on March 18

person in a blue shirt sat at a desk looking across the table at another person

Alternate Realities Talent 2024

Alternate Realities Talent exists to foster collaborations between artists, collectives, creatives and organisations focused on using digital technologies to experiment and play with non-fiction boundaries, as well as push storytelling in exciting new directions.

Published on March 14

Back of a mans head in the foreground, facing two people across a table.

Applications open for Amplify: Production Talent

Applications are open for Amplify: Production Talent, an initiative aimed at entry-level production professionals who are looking to elevate their careers. Apply by Thursday 9 April 2024, 12 noon BST.

News, Industry

Published on March 14

Person wearing a blue top and glasses stands talking at a lectern.

The Channel 4 First Cut Pitch is back for 2024!

Want to get your new documentary in front of Channel 4? Five new directors will have the chance to pitch their 60 minute film at the First Cut Pitch at our festival this June. One winner will walk away with a commission. Apply by Sunday 14th April 2024.

News, Industry

Published on March 12

Our five Youth Jurors stand in a line smiling at the camera with a speaker stood in the middle of the line.

Meet our 2024 Youth Jury

We are delighted to announce our 2024 Youth Jurors for this year's edition, taking place across Sheffield, 12-17 June 2024.

News, Film, Industry, Community

Published on February 16

A collage of the 2024 Industry team for Sheffield DocFest: Top Left: Lisa Marie Russo, centre: Patrizia Mancini, top right: Vanessa Lobón Garcia, bottom left: Sophie Duncan, bottom right: Lieven Heeremans

Introducing our 2024 Industry team

We are thrilled to announce our 2024 Industry Team who will be shaping our Marketplace and programme of talks and sessions for Sheffield DocFest 2024, taking place 12 - 17 June.

News, Industry

Published on January 30

Two Doc Crew members fitting people with virtual reality headsets at the Sheffield DocFest 2023

2024 Virtual Reality Programme Entries Open

Sheffield DocFest will present a Virtual Reality Programme as part of its 31st edition, which will take place from 12 - 17 June 2024. Entries are now open and will close on Friday 1 March, 12 noon GMT.

News

Published on January 19

A collage of the 5 film programme consultants and the 15 film programme advisers for Sheffield DocFest 2024

Introducing our 2024 Film Programme Team, Programme Consultants & Advisers

We're thrilled to introduce our 2024 Film Programme Team, and team of Programme Consultants and Advisers, who will who will be selecting films for this year’s edition, set to take place 12-17 June.

News, Film

Published on January 11

A collage of nine films that featured in the 30th Edition of Sheffield DocFest

DocFest Programmer Picks of 2023

The Sheffield DocFest Film Programme Advisers share the non-fiction films that made it onto their list of the Top Five Films of 2023! Are any of these films on your list?

Film, News

Published on December 15

2023 Festival Report

Our 2023 Festival Report is here! In the report, we take a look back at our 30th anniversary edition and reflect on some of the achievements of the festival. Read the full report here.

News, Film, Arts, Industry, Community

Published on November 2

Festival Films & Where to Watch Them

Take a look at some of our titles from across the festival that are available to watch online, on TV and in cinemas now, and look ahead to some of the upcoming releases scheduled for the rest of the year. Catch up on your favourites, or tune into the films you missed during the festival!

News, Film

Published on September 27

A hall filled with round tables, and people taking meetings around them. To the right of the image, slighty blurred and out of focus is a sign which reads 'MeetMarket'

Open Call for MeetMarket Preselectors

**Applications are now closed**We are seeking expressions of interest from those living and working in the UK with a minimum three years experience in areas such as film and TV production, film markets/forums, film financing, film fund, film sales, film or TV commissioning to preselect projects submitted for our 2024 MeetMarket.

News, Industry

Published on August 31

Four people sat on stage in a row, in front of a large cinema screen. Two are holding microphones towards them and are smiling.

Call for Programme Advisers

**Applications are now closed**We are seeking expressions of interest from anyone living/working in the UK who are emerging or established in film programming, filmmaking, criticism, acquisitions, commissioning or development to join our team of Programme Advisers for Sheffield DocFest 2024.

Published on August 2

A crowded auditorium theatre. The audience are stood clapping.

2024 Dates Announced & Passes on Sale Now

Following on from a successful 30th edition, we're delighted to announce our 2024 festival dates which will run from 12-17 June. Industry Passes are now on sale at the discounted Lightning rate until 4 October.

Published on July 19

Image showing two people wearing headphones, sat on stools underneath a large half dome. Inside the dome, images of creatures, sea life and detritus is projected.

Alternate Realities Exhibition Continues...

Our Alternate Realities Exhibition continues at Site Gallery until Sunday 16 July. Free and open to all to attend.

Published on June 22

Your Fat Friend wins Audience Award at the 2023 Sheffield DocFest

We are so thrilled to announce the 2023 Audience Award is presented to Your Fat Friend directed and produced by Jeanie Finlay (USA, 2023)!

Film, News

Published on June 19

Sheffield DocFest 2023 Jury Awards poster

Announcing 2023 Sheffield DocFest Award Winners and an Increase On Delegate Attendance Figures

As our 30th Edition comes to a close, we're thrilled to announce this year’s winners presented during the Awards Ceremony, supported by Adobe, at Sheffield’s Crucible Playhouse on Sunday 18 June 2023.

Film, Industry, News, Press

Published on June 18

A black and white photo of two men looking at each other

Nobel Prize Winning ‘Novaya Gazeta’ Editor Dmitry Muratov to Attend the Sheffield DocFest World Premiere of 'The Price Of Truth'

We are pleased to announce that Dmitry Muratov will attend the Sheffield DocFest 2023 screening of The Price of Truth, which is followed by an in-person conversation with director Patrick Forbes. The event takes place at Sheffield Crucible Theatre and is supported by Channel 4.

Film, News

Published on June 15

Queues of people stood either side of a staircase in a cinema, talking and having their tickets checked.

Programme Changes

Important information regarding changes to events and the festival schedule - please have a read through for the most up-to-date information.

Published on June 14

Roadmaps: Your Guide to Sheffield DocFest 2023

Check out our bitesize guides to help you navigate the festival!

Published on June 14

Two people dancing outside at a silent disco event at a past edition of Sheffield DocFest

Your Favourite Memories of Sheffield DocFest

Over the past 30 editions of Sheffield DocFest, we have had the great joy of creating a space for documentary makers and lovers to come together and celebrate the work being done by the industry. Here are some good, heartfelt, and funny times members of the DocFest team, both past and present, have had since we began way back in 1994. We’d love to hear yours!

Community, News

Published on June 13

Sheffield DocFest’s Creative Director Raul Niño Zambrano stood at a podium mid speech

Announcing Raul Niño Zambrano as Creative Director of Sheffield DocFest

We are thrilled to announce that following a successful year as Acting Creative Director, our Board of Trustees have confirmed the appointment of Raul Niño Zambrano as Sheffield DocFest’s Creative Director.

Published on June 13

Sheffield DocFest 2023 Youth Jurors Jenny Luisa Barruol, Alexandra Judkins, Amanda Daud, Annabel Bai Jackson, and Tymofii Donets stood next to each other in front of some red and green foliage

Sheffield DocFest 2023 Festival Highlights: Our Youth Jury Edition

If you are looking for ideas of what to catch at the 30th edition of Sheffield DocFest, our 2023 Youth Jurors have got you covered. Take a look at their Festival highlights now join us as we are 'Sparking Curiosity' with documentary - and each other - in Sheffield, 14 - 19 June!

Published on June 9