Returning for a 4th edition in 2025, our Filmmaker Challenge, supported by Principal Sponsor Prime Video, selects six filmmakers to make a short documentary in and around Sheffield during the festival, under the guidance of an experienced mentor and supported by equipment, production budget, and festival passes.
We are delighted to have Waad Al-Kateab, Academy Award® nominee and BAFTA and BIFA award-winning director of 2019’s For Sama, as our Guest Mentor this year. She will mentor a cohort of six filmmakers to develop their short films, from inception of their ideas in response to the 2025 theme Where Perspectives Meet, to providing feedback during production and editing via filmmaker 1-2-1s, to the shorts’ showcase at the 32nd edition of Sheffield DocFest.
Working to a tight deadline, the selected filmmakers will create a 3 minute non-fiction film over five days, with filming taking place over a single day. The finished films will then be presented at a festival screening on Saturday 21 June plus Q&A with the Guest Mentor and festival representatives.
Previous challenge participants have gone on to be selected for the Sheffield DocFest MeetMarket, UK broadcast and BFI Network talent programmes, and featured in IDFA's Docs For Sale Catalogue.
In 2025, we aim to support participants affected by the recent production slowdown. This programme is open to filmmakers who have at least 3 broadcast or film credits, and has been identified as being affected by the production slowdown in the past 12 months, including those looking to move to another field e.g. Editors exploring Directing.
What’s Included?
- A micro budget of £1000
- Equipment & post production support
- Mentoring and 121 feedback from a high profile non-fiction director
- Accommodation at the festival and standard class UK travel to and from Sheffield
- Post-challenge mentoring and an invitation to Prime Video’s Summer trainee programmes meetup
- Successful applicants will receive a full industry pass for DocFest in 2025 & 2026
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for the Filmmaker Challenge, you must
Be 18 years old or over;
Based in the UK
Not engaged in full time education or graduate study
Have a minimum of 4 years industry experience / four professional credits in broadcast, TV, or feature film/documentary.
Available for the full duration of the programme including pre-festival mentoring at the end of May and the full challenge period of 16-21 June inclusive in Sheffield.
How To Apply?
To apply to the 2025 Filmmaker Challenge, please fill out this form. It is free to apply.
The deadline to apply is 22 May 2025 at 12 noon BST.
We are committed to growing diversity in the film industry, and particularly welcome applications from underrepresented voices in the factual/documentary TV sector including, but not limited to, d/Deaf or disabled people and people who are ethnically diverse and/or those who are from or live in South Yorkshire.
You will be contacted in the first week of June regarding the outcome of your application.
Participation in the initiative is selective and the decision of DocFest is final.
For any questions, please contact filmmakerchallenge@sheffdocfest.com.
Principal Sponsor Prime Video
