Applications to our 2025 Youth Jury are now open!
We are thrilled to open the search for participants in the Youth Jury programme, which is now in its 19th year.
Five young film enthusiasts will be offered the opportunity to meet key figures within the industry, curate a selection of films for the Festival, and select the winner of the Youth Jury Award announced at the Sheffield DocFest Awards Ceremony.
Who can apply?
We welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds, with no special qualifications or experience needed. 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.
This free programme offers opportunities for young people wishing to enter the film industry from production to distribution, curation, film marketing and criticism. It is a tremendous way to see how an international film festival and jury work, and you will have your say about the best documentary films being made today. Previous Youth Jury Award Winners have included HAIYU - Rebel Singer Mariem Hassan and the Struggle for a Free Western Sahara (2024), Anhell69 (2023), Alis (2022), If god were a woman / Si dios fuera mujer (2021), Baracoa (2019), Amal (2018), 69 Minutes of 86 Days (2017), Sonita (2016).
Past jurors have gone on to work with broadcasters including the BBC, Channel 4 and ITN; made shorts and feature length documentaries for commissioners including BBC Three; programmed films, produced panels for festivals and gone on to write for Sight & Sound magazine.
What's on offer?
- Successful applicants will attend a two-day Youth Jury Lab in London on 13 and 14 February 2025.
- During the Lab you will meet leading organisations from across the industry of production, distribution, curation and exhibition of film.
- Jurors will attend a further one day lab in April in Sheffield to meet other film professionals and gain an insight into Sheffield DocFest.
- Youth Jurors will also receive a Festival Pass to attend Sheffield DocFest 2025.
- You will attend screenings of the selected Youth Jury films and a deliberation during the Festival, selecting the winner of the Youth Jury Award 2025.
- Travel and accommodation costs will be covered for both the London Lab and Sheffield events.
Availability
Jurors need to be available for the following activity:
- Interviews: 21 - 22 January 2025 (online or in-person)
- London Lab: 20 - 21 February 2025
- Sheffield Lab: April 2025 (date TBC)
- Sheffield DocFest Festival: 18 - 23 June 2025
How to Apply
Applications for the 2025 Youth Jury are now open to individuals aged 18-23 based in the UK
You can either complete a written or video application using the form below.
The application deadline is Monday 10 January 2025, 12:00 (Midday GMT). If you have any enquiries regarding the programme, application process, or if you need to access the application form in an alternative format, please contact: recruitment@sheffdocfest.com
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