News

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

Three headshots. On the left, is an image of a white woman with blonde hair, wearing a pink jumper. Centre, is an image of a white woman with blonde/brown hair, wearing a blue top. On the right, is an image of a white woman with ginger hair wearing an orangey brown jumper.

Welcoming Senior Team Members & Alternate Realities Advisory Committee

Welcoming Beccy Ashdown as Talks & Sessions Senior Producer; Lisa Brook as Festival Marketing & Communications Lead; Verity Nalley as Alternate Realities Consultant; and meet our Alternate Realities Advisory Committee, who will be reviewing and selecting projects for our 2023 Alternate Realities Exhibition.

News, Arts, Industry

Published on March 16

Three headshots. On the left, is an image of a white man with grey hair and facial hair. In the centre, is a picture of a white woman with grey shoulder length hair. On the right, is an image of a mixed-race woman with dark hair tied up above her head.

Announcing our new trustees

Following an open call for applications, we are delighted to welcome three newly appointed members to our Board of Trustees: Stephen Bowen, Lucy McDowell and Zoe Mumba. They will bring a wide-range of expertise to the organisation, across film, funding and development, human rights and law, public relations and technology.

News

Published on March 16

Composite image of volunteers wearing black t-shirts

Volunteer applications open

Interested in volunteering? Want to see how an international film and arts festival works? Join our DocCrew Volunteer Programme. With roles available across all areas of the festival, there's something for everyone. Find out more and get involved.

News, Arts, Film, Industry, Community

Published on March 16

A woman with long, blonde hair is stood at a podium in front of a microphone. Beside her five people are sat on chairs, smiling.

The Channel 4 First Cut Pitch is back!

Want to get your new documentary in front of Channel 4? Five new directors will have the chance to pitch their 60' film at the First Cut Pitch at our festival this June and one winner will walk away with a commission. Apply by Sunday 2 April 2023.

News, Industry

Published on March 10

Composite image of 5 headshots on a navy blue background, with white text that reads: Sheffield DocFest Youth Jury.

Meet our 2023 Youth Jury

We are thrilled to introduce our 2023 Youth Jurors, meet this year's cohort: Alexandra Judkins, Amanda Daud, Annabel Bai Jackson, Jenny Luisa Barruol and Tymofii Donets. The Youth Jurors will be curating a selection of films for the festival, and will select the winner of our Youth Jury Award!

Published on March 2

Meet our 2023 Future Film Programmers

In collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University, we are delighted to introduce this year's cohort of Future Film Programmers who have curated a selection of impactful documentaries centred on a theme of social change. Join us for a free screening of two works from the selection on Wednesday 8 March at Showroom Cinema, Sheffield.

News

Published on March 1

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

Composite image of 8 film stills, stacked on top of each other.

8 MeetMarket Alumni Films to Watch Online

Each year, 40-50 projects are selected to take part in our MeetMarket; many have returned to screen in our Film Programme; have been selected to screen in international festivals across the world; and have been nominated for, and gone on to win prestigious awards! Take a look at some of the projects that have come through our MeetMarket over the years.

Published on February 17

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Future Producer School

**Applications now closed**
Future Producer School, created by Sheffield DocFest and Bungalow Town Productions, has returned! Future Producer School aims to develop industry partnerships and provide industry knowledge and experience to up-and-coming producers that have the ambition to become international feature documentary producers.

Industry, News

Published on January 12

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Meet our Leadership Team

As we move forward into the 30th Edition of Sheffield DocFest, meet our renewed leadership team: Annabel Grundy - Managing Director; Raul Niño Zambrano - Acting Creative Director; and Paul Steele - Director of Partnerships and Community.

Published on January 9

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Announcing our new Director of Partnerships and Community: Paul Steele

We are delighted to welcome Paul Steele to the recently expanded role of Director of Partnerships and Community. Paul joins Sheffield DocFest in February after a successful decade as the Managing Director of Junction Arts, an ambitious charity and social change organisation in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Published on December 8

Blue background with large, white, bold text on the page which reads: "The Youth Jury was my first ever step into the world of documentary filmmaking. It taught me that there was a space for me in the industry... If you’re thinking about applying – don’t be put off by feeling like an imposter or that you don’t know enough, the experience is so supportive in teaching you about the world of filmmaking and festivals, you’ll meet tonnes of amazing people and watch a LOT of brilliant films!”

Youth Jury: Is it for me?

Aged 18-23, based in the UK, and have a passion for documentary and the media industry? Why not join our Youth Jury Programme? Hear first-hand experience from some of our previous Youth Jurors and find out where the opportunity can take you!

Published on December 7

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Join the Sheffield DocFest Youth Jury!

Applications for our Youth Jury programme are open. Now in its 16th year, the programme offers five young film enthusiasts the opportunity to meet film industry experts, select films for the Festival, and choose the winner of the Youth Jury Award announced at the Sheffield DocFest Awards Ceremony!

News, Film

Published on November 22

Annabel Grundy wearing a black jumper and trousers. Stood outside, surrounded by fallen autumn leaves. She's pictured against painted with a graffiti style mural - white text against a blue background reads: You and me both mate.

Announcing our new Managing Director: Annabel Grundy

Announcing our new Managing Director, Annabel Grundy who will join the Festival in December 2022 in a new joint leadership position, working collaboratively alongside Acting Creative Director, Raul Niño Zambrano.

News

Published on November 2

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

Raul Niño Zambrano, Alex Cooke and Clare Stewart

Announcing Raul Niño Zambrano as Acting Creative Director for 2023

Announcing Raul Niño Zambrano as Acting Creative Director for 2023; Sheffield DocFest moves to new leadership model and commences open search for Managing Director.

News

Published on August 17

Sylvia Bednarz joins The Grierson Trust as Managing Director

The Board and Team at Sheffield DocFest congratulates Sylvia Bednarz, our Partnerships & Operations Director, on her new appointment as Managing Director of The Grierson Trust.

News

Published on July 28

2023 dates announced and Lightning Passes on sale

Following this year’s hugely successful festival, we are delighted to announce the dates for Sheffield DocFest 2023 with Lightning Passes now on sale.

News

Published on July 27

Newly Commissioned Alternate Realities Project Installed at Site Gallery

The Alternate Realities Commission artwork and new film - Feminist Economics Football: A Cooperative Game for Sheffield - has been installed in Site Gallery, available to view until 24 July 2022 as part of the Site Gallery extended run.

Arts

Published on July 13

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Alternate Realities Exhibition Continues...

Our Alternate Realities main exhibition continues until 24 July at Site Gallery, Sheffield. Experience a range of works that are currently leading the field of experimental documentary making. Free and open to all.

News, Arts

Published on June 30

2022 Awards Winners Announced

We are delighted to announce this year’s winners presented during the awards ceremony at Sheffield City Hall’s Memorial Hall this evening, the Festival’s closing night.

News

Published on June 28

Roadmaps - Finding your way at #SheffDocFest2022

Whether you're an emerging filmmaker or interested in finance and funding, utilise these useful roadmaps to plan the key events for you to attend at Sheffield DocFest 2022.

News

Published on June 24

2022 Jury Members Announced

We are delighted to announce the Juries for this years’ International Competition, International First Feature Competition, International Short Film Competition, the Tim Hetherington Award and the Alternate Realities Award.

News

Published on June 21