News

We are thrilled to announce the cohort and Guest Mentor Alex Thomas for this year’s expanded Filmmaker Challenge, supported by Principal Sponsor Prime Video Pathway.

Thirty-seven films are competing across five prestigious categories at this year's Sheffield DocFest.

We are incredibly proud to reveal our full Public Programme for the 33rd edition of Sheffield DocFest, 'Realities In Motion'.

Sheffield DocFest has announced 50 documentary projects for the 2026 MeetMarket; all works in progress at varying stages. The 2026 MeetMarket programme is a distinctive and totally varied mix of bold, vivid and socially conscious work.

Alternate Realities is Sheffield DocFest’s immersive XR strand. In 2026 the programme is centered around the documentary and storytelling possibilities of gaming multi-worlds, which act as meeting spaces for many different communities.

In order to support early career, independent creatives or those with ideas in very early stages, the programme will host a three-day Storytelling in Gaming: Challenge Lab, in strategic partnership with Sheffield Hallam University and supported by the British Council. Five creative teams selected from a global public call out, will develop prototypes for new work in a structured lab residency.

Applications are now open for Amplify: Production Talent 2026, our initiative for emerging production professionals to help elevate careers and support networking supported by BBC, Channel 4 and ScreenSkills.

Sheffield DocFest has announced the initial line up for this year’s festival. The 2026 edition of Sheffield DocFest, ‘Realities in Motion’, will take over Sheffield from 10 - 15 June, featuring this year’s Festival Guest of Honour Maxine Peake, Miriam Margolyes, Chris Packham, Andrea Arnold, alongside a special event dedicated to one of the world’s most famous living documentary makers, Sir David Attenborough.

Our From Door to Doc fundraising programme creates accessible pathways to Sheffield DocFest for people who might otherwise be unable to attend. We remove barriers like travel expenses, ticket costs, and the feeling that cultural events aren't 'for them'.

Join us in making Sheffield DocFest accessible to all. Support From Door to Doc by donating, sharing, or spreading the word.

In partnership with Sheffield Libraries, we're inviting young artists across Sheffield to create a birthday card to celebrate Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday!

The Climate Spring Digital-First Pitch returns for 2026, with four Sheffield DocFest pitch slots and a £10,000 prize for the winner up for grabs.

Returning for 2026, we will select and support six filmmakers to make a short documentary in and around Sheffield during the festival.

Meet the five young film enthusiasts that will make up our Youth Jury cohort for Sheffield DocFest's 33rd edition in 2026.

The Channel 4 First Cut Pitch is back for 2026!

We are delighted to announce our 2026 Film Programme Team as well as our team of Programme Consultants and Advisers, who will be selecting films for our 33rd edition, taking place 10-15 June.

Our 2026 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 9 January 2026, 12:00 GMT to take part.