News

Filmmaker Challenge cohort and Guest Mentor announced for 2026

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.

News, Film, Press, Industry

Published on May 5

Introducing our Film Programme Team, Programme Consultants & Advisers

We're thrilled to introduce our 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 14-19 June 2023.

News, Film

Published on February 20

2022 Festival Report & Highlights

Our 2022 Festival Report is here! Take a closer look at Sheffield DocFest 2022, and revisit some of our best moments.

News, Film, Arts, Industry, Community

Published on September 8

Festival of the Mind

Festival of the Mind takes place across Sheffield from 15 – 25 September. We're pleased to present a selection of three films from our 2022 Film Programme, screening for free at the Spiegeltent on Thursday 22 September.

News, Film, Community

Published on September 1

2022 Sheffield DocFest Festival Guide

Discover the films, artworks events presented as part of the Film Programme, Alternate Realities exhibitions and Talks & Sessions. Plus, browse the full festival schedule and find out vital information about this year's Industry Programme including Marketplace and Talent.

News, Film, Industry, Arts

Published on June 15

Announcing our full programme for Sheffield DocFest 2022

We're thrilled to announce our full Film Programme, Alternate Realities, Industry Programme and Talks & Sessions. Explore the programme now, and ‘ReConnect’ with documentary - and each other - in Sheffield, 23-28 June.

News, Arts, Film, Industry

Published on May 31

Announcing our 2022 International Competition

We're thrilled to announce our 2022 International Competition, made up of 5 world premieres and 4 international premieres, featuring cinematic and thought-provoking documentaries - representing Australia, Brazil, Lebanon, Mexico, Poland, Spain, UK, US, and Ukraine - which engage with reality from a multitude of perspectives.

News, Film

Published on May 26

Group of four football players helping each other put their bibs on.

Football Players Wanted

We’re women* and non-binary football players to take part in a 3-sided co-operative football match organised by Feminist Exchange Network at Sheffield DocFest 2022. The match will take place Thursday 23 June at Sheffield Amphitheatre. Register your interest here.

News, Arts, Community, Film

Published on May 25

Still from One Day in Ukraine. Aerial view image of a children's playground, set in the middle of a roundabout. Beside the playground are parked cars, and two military tanks.

Announcing our Ukraine focus: ‘Password: Palianytsia’

In solidarity with Ukraine, we're proud to announce ‘Password: Palianytsia’ a collaborative documentary programme with Docudays UA, which will launch the British Council and Ukrainian Institute’s ‘UK/Ukraine Season of Culture’ with the World Premiere of Babylon’13’s One Day in Ukraine.

News, Film, Arts, Industry

Published on May 19

Announcing Opening Night Film: Moonage Daydream

We're delighted to announce our Opening Night Film, the ‘People’s Premiere’ of Brett Morgen’s Moonage Daydream taking place at City Hall - 50 years since David Bowie first played the historic Sheffield music venue in June 1972.

News, Film

Published on May 17

Take part in DocHost

DocHost invites local residents to host filmmakers and artists who are attending the Festival, in their homes between 23 - 28 June 2022. Sign-up to host, or be hosted!

News, Film, Arts, Community

Published on May 11

Still from When We Were Kings. Muhammad Ali is leaning out of the window of a bus, to a crowd of people waving and cheering.

A Documentary Journey with Asif Kapadia

We are delighted to reveal Guest Curator, Asif Kapadia’s selection of films that will form part of his contribution to this year’s Festival.

News, Film

Published on May 9

A black and white archival photo of a woman looking at a reel of film, which is held between both her hands and draped around her neck.

The Associated Press 1-Minute Archive Film Competition

The Associated Press is calling on filmmakers to create a 1-minute film using footage from its archive. One film will receive a prize of £1,000, whilst the top three entries will get to see their short film on the big screen at this year’s edition of Sheffield DocFest - taking place 23-28 June 2022. All short films must be submitted by Thursday 26 May.

News, Film, Industry

Published on April 29

Production Talent – Where are they now?

Are you an early-career production professional interested in elevating your career, and connecting with UK production company executives at Sheffield DocFest 2022? Hear what participants of our UK Broadcast Production Talent Market (now Amplify: Production Talent) have to say about their experience at the festival.

News, Film, Industry

Published on April 11

Six volunteers wearing black t-shirts with their hands in the air

Volunteer with us

Volunteer applications are open for Sheffield DocFest 2022. Interested in taking part? Hear what some of our DocCrew alumni have to say about their experience volunteering with us.

News, Arts, Film, Industry, Community

Published on April 5

Still from 2019 pitch winner Becky Southworth's Can Sex Offenders Change?

BBC Three Northern Docs Pitch

**Applications are now CLOSED for this year's BBC Three Northern Docs Pitch 2022, hosted in partnership with the BBC.

News, Industry, Film

Published on March 8

2022 Youth Jurors at the London Lab session with Adrian Kawaley-Lathan, Creative Director at Bertha Foundation

Meet our 2022 Youth Jury

Our Youth Jury programme is back for its 16th year. We are delighted to introduce you to the five young film enthusiasts who make up this year's Youth Jury.

News, Film, Industry, Community

Published on March 3

Introducing our team of Programme Consultants and Advisers

We are delighted to announce our team of Programme Consultants and Advisers who have already started work on this year's festival selections, under the leadership of our new Head of Film Programmes, Raul Niño Zambrano.

News, Film

Published on March 1

Five people stand side by side, in front of a colourfully painted brick wall. From left to right: Sophie Challis, Ralph Whittall, Brett Marsden, Sarah Curtis and Jess Campbell.

Meet our Future Film Programmers

In collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University, we are delighted to introduce this year's cohort of Future Film Programmers.

News, Film, Community

Published on January 27

Introducing our new senior team members

Introducing to our team: Raul Niño Zambrano as Head of Film Programmes; Francesca Panetta as Alternate Realities Curator; and Sarah Mosses & John-Paul Pierrot of Together Films agency to lead on the 2022 Festival’s Marketing & Audience strategy and campaign.

News, Film, Arts, Press

Published on January 5

A woman wearing a headscarf is pictured centrally in the frame surrounded by trees

Diaspora Multimedia Hub Showcase

Join us for a showcase of work made by local first-time filmmakers, and hear the stories they have to tell about our city and the people that live in it.

News, Film, Community

Published on December 4

Composite image of two headshots. Left is a colour image of a woman with red hair, wearing glass and a blue top smiling towards the camera. Right, a black and white image of a man in a suit looking towards the left.

Announcing our 2022 Leadership Team

We are delighted to welcome film festival luminary Clare Stewart as Interim CEO and Academy and BAFTA award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia as Guest Curator for the next edition of Sheffield DocFest.

News, Film, Arts, Community, Industry

Published on October 26

Montage image of people speaking on stage into microphones, and audiences sat clapping in cinema seats.

Take a look at our 2021 Festival Report

The 28th edition in review – have a read through our Festival Report to find out everything you need to know about Sheffield DocFest 2021.

News, Film, Industry, Arts, Community

Published on July 27

Composite of nine images of individuals speaking into microphones on stage, and audiences sat in cinema.

Thank you for joining us at Sheffield DocFest 2021

We would like to say thank you to all of you who joined us here in Sheffield, across cinemas in the UK, and online for the 28th edition of our festival.

Film, Arts, Industry, Community

Published on June 22

Red and green abstract graphic image reads 'DocFest Exchange'

DocFest Exchange: Beyond Our Own Eyes

We're excited to announce our full programme of films, talks, workshops and audio walks for this year’s DocFest Exchange.

News, Film

Published on June 2