News

A collage showing some of the speakers and events which are part of Sheffield DocFest 2026.

Sheffield DocFest announces first launch of programme for June 2026 festival ‘Realities In Motion’

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.

News, Press, Arts

Published on April 7

A group of people attending Sheffield DocFest walk through a park.

Announcing our From Door to Doc fundraising programme

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.

News, Community

Published on March 31

A graphic of our David Attenborough competition.

Sir David Attenborough at 100: Create a Birthday Card Competition!

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!

Arts, Community, News

Published on March 27

An image from last year's Climate Spring event, with this year's titles on it.

Climate Spring Digital-First Pitch 2026 now open for applications

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.

News, Industry

Published on March 24

A joyous group of people taking a selfie with their hands raised in celebration.

Applications open for newly expanded Filmmaker Challenge 2026!

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

Industry, News

Published on March 18

Meet Our 2026 Youth Jury

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

News, Film, Industry, Community

Published on March 3

Panel of people sat on chairs on stage with a woman stood at a lectern facing away from the camera on the right.

The Channel 4 First Cut Pitch is back for 2026!

News, Industry

Published on February 26

A collage of the 4 film programme consultants and the 21 film programme advisers for Sheffield DocFest 2026.

Introducing our 2026 Film Programme Team, Programme Consultants & Advisers

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.

News, Film

Published on January 30

2026 Youth Jury

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.

News, Film, Community

Published on November 3

A shot featuring Sir Bob Geldof and other popstars from the film Live Aid at 40 – When Rock'N'Roll Took on the World

New additions to our Public and Industry Programmes

We're excited to announce some new additions to our 32nd edition

News, Film, Industry

Published on May 22

Programme changes 2025

Updates on Programme changes

News

Published on May 15

Announcing our full Public Programme for Sheffield DocFest 2025

We are incredibly proud to reveal our full public programme for the 32nd edition of Sheffield DocFest.

Film, Talks, Alternative Reality, News

Published on May 7

Large red theatre curtains cover most of the image, except for the very center where a man's face peeks through. The man is wearing a pineapple costume and a pair of large red sunglasses.

Sheffield Docfest Announces World Premiere of 'Still Pushing Pineapples' as Opening Night Film for its 32nd Edition

We are delighted to announce the World Premiere of Kim Hopkins’ Still Pushing Pineapples will open this year’s festival on 18 June 2025 at Sheffield’s Showroom Cinema.

Industry, News

Published on May 1

A photo of a large hall filled with groups of people holding meetings seated around small tables

Sheffield DocFest’s MeetMarket celebrates 20 years with the announcement of 50 projects

Sheffield DocFest, the UK’s leading documentary festival and one of the world’s most influential markets for documentary projects, is thrilled to announce its slate for the 20th edition of the MeetMarket.

Industry, News

Published on April 30

Portrait of Fenton Bailey, pictured right, and Randy Barbato, pictured left, sitting at a desk with two computer screens against a yellow wall.

Sheffield Docfest Announces World Of Wonder Co-Founders Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato As This Year’s Guests Of Honour

News, Industry

Published on April 29

The Whickers Podcast Pitch Award 2025 – Shortlist Announced!

Industry, News

Published on April 23

A digital image with a plain blue background. In the centre of the graphic there is text reading Climate Spring. The text is filled with a photograph of trees in blossom and blue skies on a residential street in spring.

Climate Spring Documentary Pitch now open for applications

Climate Spring Announces New £10k Documentary Development Pitch at Sheffield DocFest.

News, Industry

Published on April 9

A line of tables with people either side of each table chatting animatedly. The most prominent person in the image is a person in the middle of the photo with long red hair.

Applications open for Amplify: Production Talent 2025

Applications are open for Amplify: Production Talent, an initiative aimed at entry-level production professionals who are looking to elevate their careers.

News, Industry

Published on March 14

Panel of people sat on chairs on stage with a woman stood at a lectern facing away from the camera in the foreground

The Channel 4 First Cut Pitch is back for 2025!

Want to get your new documentary in front of Channel 4? Channel 4 First Cut Pitch at Sheffield DocFest is back! Five new directors will have the chance to pitch this June and one winner will walk away with a commission. Apply by Friday 21st March 2025.

News, Industry

Published on February 25

A collage of the 4 film programme consultants and the 17 film programme advisers for Sheffield DocFest 2025

Introducing our 2025 Film Programme Team, Programme Consultants & Advisers

We're thrilled to introduce our 2025 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 18-23 June.

News, Film

Published on February 24

Meet our 2025 Youth Jury

We are delighted to announce our 2025 Youth Jurors for this year's edition, taking place across Sheffield, 18-23 June 2025.

News, Film, Industry, Community

Published on February 19

Photo of DocFest's new Managing Director, Mimi Poskitt

Announcing DocFest's new Managing Director, Mimi Poskitt

We are thrilled to confirm the appointment of Mimi Poskitt as our new Managing Director.

News

Published on February 11

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

Black and white photo of a confrontation between people and police in front of an ice cream van at Orgreave during the Miners' Strike

Strike: An Uncivil War wins Audience Award at the 2024 Sheffield DocFest

We are thrilled to announce that the 2024 Audience Award is presented to Strike: An Uncivil War directed by Daniel Gordon (UK), produced by Nick Taussig and Fjolla Iberhysaj.

News

Published on June 17

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