Sheffield Doc/Fest is where the international documentary family gets together under one roof for a week of intense deal-making, docwatching and debate. It is the UK's premier documentary festival and a must-attend event on the industry calendar.

SHEFFIELD DOC/FEST 5-9 NOVEMBER 2008

*DON’T FORGET – TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES, DELEGATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE THIS YEAR – PUT THIS DATE IN YOUR DIARY: 8 OCTOBER 2008*

SUBMIT A SESSION IDEA - NOW OPEN!

Sheffield Doc/Fest is owned by the industry and welcomes ideas that you think are important to be discussed at the festival. Use the link above to submit your session idea!

Doc/Fest 2008 FILM SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!

You can now submit your film to Sheffield Doc/Fest for 2008. Documentary films from established or debut filmmakers, television and film school productions, and films of any style or subject are accepted for consideration into the 2008 official programme and/or into Doc/Fest's digitized videotheque.

This year the festival dates are 5-9 November and to coincide with the result of the US Presidential Elections that should be announced during the festival, Sheffield Doc/Fest will present a number of films and panels around the theme of REGIME CHANGE. We are particularly interested in considering work that could be programmed into this strand. Other continuing film strands in the festival include Green Docs, Anti Docs, Bent Docs and Music Docs.

Films can also be entered into the Grierson:Sheffield Innovation or Green Awards. You can enter through the Grierson Trust website but films accepted into the official festival 2008 programme may also be nominated for the Grierson:Sheffield Youth Jury award as well as the Green and Innovation categories.

In 2007 over 1000 film entries were received by Doc/Fest from all over the world. Filmmakers should check out the rules and regulations and to enter their film using the on-line form by klicking on the SUBMIT A FILM button above.

Submissions deadline 15 June.

For any questions email our new film programmer Hussain Currimbhoy at: hussain@sidf.co.uk

BOOK A PLACE IN THE UK VILLAGE IN SUNNY SIDE OF THE DOC!

Sunny Side of the Doc, which takes place between 24-27 June 2008, is organizing an area dedicated to British producers and distributors, featuring:

An open joint area

A private area

Both have a reception desk with a bilingual assistant and an open acces viewing terminal.

More information about The UK Village area can be found here:

The UK Village

PUBLIC SCREENINGS AT SUNNY SIDE OF THE DOC

The second edition of the Public Screenings Grand Ecran Documentaire / Documentaries on the Big Screen will take place from June 24 to 27, 2008, in La Rochelle, France, as part of Sunny Side of the Doc, the International Documentary Film Market. Every afternoon and evening the Michel Crépeau Hall will open its doors to both the general public and to film professionals, and will screen from a selection of fifteen international documentary films, not yet released in France. Organized by Sunny Side of the Doc in collaboration with the Encan center, Arte and XDC France.

More programme information (French and English):

Grand Ecran Documentaire

DOC/FEST NEW ADVISORY AND BOARD MEMBERS

Doc/Fest is delighted to welcome more inspirational members of our industry to help shape and plan the festival of the future.

Nick Fraser, BBC Storyville Commissioning Editor and Alex Graham, Ex-Chair of PACT join our board of directors and Jo Taylor from Channel 4Talent & indie Jan Bednarz are getting their hands dirty alongside other members of our advisory committee.

Remember that anyone can ‘submit a session’ - so if you have an idea for an inspirational masterclass or hot debate let us have it - submissions now open online.

BFI Southbank Tour Launch - ALL WHITE IN BARKING

A brilliant night was had by all last Wednesday when ALL WHITE IN BARKING screened to an audience of 250 in NFT 1 in the presence of director MARC ISAACS and some of the films’ subjects. Nick Fraser introduced the film and announced that it had just won The Amnesty International Award for Best Film that Encourages the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights at Zagrebdox Festival. Congratulations to Marc and his team. If you couldn’t make it last week don’t worry – its screening as part of the WHITE season on BBC 2 on Friday 14 March at 9pm, set your recording device now. Check out: www.bbc.co.uk/white/
Dates and venues for the 2007-8 Sheffield Doc/Fest BFI Tour will be announced soon!