News

A group of people sat together at a round table chatting. In the background more people are sat around tables chatting.

Alternate Realities XR Artists Forum

Alternate Realities XR Artists Forum is an initiative for XR artists developing a project in the intersection of art, technology and documentary, looking to expand their network and get advice from experts in the field.

Published on April 11

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

Headshots of three new Sheffield DocFest trustees - Fran Baker, Guy Gadney and Roly Keating

Announcing the appointment of three new board trustees: Fran Baker, Guy Gadney and Roly Keating

We are delighted to announce the appointment of three new board trustees: Fran Baker, Commissioning Editor Documentaries BBC Factual, Guy Gadney, CEO of Charismatic.ai and Roly Keating, former Chief Executive of the British Library and former Controller of BBC Four and BBC Two.

Published on March 31

A group of people celebrate finishing a collaging workshop at Sheffield DocFest.

Help fund the Sheffield DocFest Community Programme with Arts for Impact

Donate to us through the BigGive platform between midday 18th March and midday 25th March, and they will double the amount – so you can make double the difference to DocFest.

Community

Published on March 18

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

A collage of people engaged in activities such as a chatting at a networking event in a crowded room and a busy cinema giving a standing ovation to a film

Join our Local Advisory Group

Are you interested in shaping the future of the festival and based in South Yorkshire or North Derbyshire? Applications are now open to be part of our Local Advisory Group. Apply by 14th March.

Community

Published on January 13

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

Announcing Anne Morrison as Chair of the Board of Trustees

We are thrilled to confirm the appointment of Anne Morrison as our new Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Published on October 15

People surrounded by greenery at a busy drinks reception. In the centre of the photo two people looking at each other smile widely. The person on the left is holding a film poster rolled up in their hand.

2025 Film and VR Entries Open

Film and VR entries are now open for the 32nd Edition of Sheffield DocFest, which will take place from Wednesday 18 June - Monday 23 June 2025.

Published on October 2

Announcing our Queer Realities Director's Lab cohort

We are delighted to announce the cohort for our inaugural Queer Realities Director’s Lab! Ten UK-based documentary directors have been selected to take part in this new and in-depth development programme.

Published on September 2

Announcing our 2025 dates

Following on from a successful 31st edition, we're delighted to announce our 2025 festival dates which will run from 18-23 June 2025. Industry Passes are now on sale at the discounted Lightning rate until 16 October 2024.

Published on August 12

Announcing our Queer Realities Director's Lab

Sheffield DocFest’s Queer Realities Director’s Lab is a development programme open to directors who are currently developing a queer documentary project.

Published on July 4

Sheffield Hallam Student Blog - Lib Silke

We invited two Sheffield Hallam University students to explore the Sheffield DocFest 2024 programme.

Here’s Lib Silke, a BA Film Studies student, with her take on films in our Youth Jury Selection and Shorts Programme.

Published on June 26

Sheffield Hallam Student Blog - Alice Montgomery

We invited two Sheffield Hallam University students to explore the Sheffield DocFest 2024 programme.
Here’s Alice Montgomery, a BA Film Studies student, with her thoughts on everything from talks with big names to our Alternate Realities Exhibition.

Published on June 25

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

Announcing 2024 Sheffield DocFest Award Winners

We are delighted to announce this year’s winners presented during the awards ceremony at Sheffield’s Crucible Playhouse this evening.

Published on June 15

Roadmaps 2024

Published on June 12

People stood chatting in the Sheffield Winter Gardens

Programme Changes

Published on June 7

Announcing our 2024 Jury Members

We are excited to announce our Jury Members for this years’ International Competition, International First Feature Competition, International Short Film Competition, the Tim Hetherington Award, the International Alternate Realities Competition, alongside our previously announced members of the Youth Jury. Winners will be revealed during the Festival’s Awards Ceremony at Crucible Playhouse on 16 June. Join us at our 31th edition of the festival in Sheffield, 12-11 June 2024.

Published on May 24

A composite image of attending talent featuring Top Row Left to right: Michael Sheen, Anna Hall, Walter Murch, Hak Baker. Bottom Row Left to right: Lhakpa Sherpa, The Cimarons, Waad Al Kateab

2024 Festival sees an abundance of filmmaking talent attending

Published on May 24

Headshots of this year's Filmmaker Challenge participants

Filmmaker Challenge 2024

Returning for the third year running, we are delighted to present our Filmmaker Challenge 2024. Six early-career UK filmmakers have been selected to undertake the challenge of making a film on the fly, with a micro budget and equipment support, as well as mentoring from Oscar and BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Julie Cohen (RBG, Every Body, My Name is Pauli Murray).

Published on May 13