What People Say About Us
"Sheffield Doc/Fest has an international reputation within the film and television industries for being the must-attend event. DocFest has established itself as a festival of the future, with successful initiatives such as Crossover UK developing digital and interactive projects to combine storytelling skills of filmmaking with new kinds of interactivity, made possible by emerging technology. This a very exciting time for the future of documentary and DocFest is at the fore-front of using innovative cross-platform ideas in docs. Exactly what commissioning editors are excited to see."
Dom Joly"Creative Sheffield is very proud that the UK’s premier event for international documentary professionals is hosted in Sheffield. Doc/Fest is a great asset to the city of Sheffield. The Festival showcases some of the finest examples of documentary film from across the globe, attracting visitors from as far away at Japan and Australia. Doc/Fest also has a significant economic impact on Sheffield: each year generating millions of pounds to the region. Creative Sheffield is delighted to be supporting the Festival and we wish it a very successful fifteenth year in the city."
Brendan Moffett, Marketing Director Creative Sheffield
"The Sheffield International Documentary Festival has become a key forum in this vital area of film making. It goes from strength to strength which is an enormous bonus for those of us who work in documentaries."
Melvyn Bragg
"Documentary films remain one of the most important ways of sharing information, ideas, and opinions with the rest of the world. The Sheffield International Documentary Festival is building an increasing reputation as a forum for the world’s documentaries."
Michael Palin
"The British Documentary tradition is an incredibly precious part of our social and cultural legacy and in my estimation the future of broadcasting will be sorely bereft without it. The Sheffield Documentary Festival keeps that flame alight. All power to it."
Alan Yentob (Creative Director, BBC)
"What I really love is that people are having conversations about documentaries & they're arguing about voice-overs or use of cutting. It seems people are here that love film."
Kim Longinotto
"Year by year Doc/Fest grows in breadth and scope. It is a remarkable event totally recognised by the industry and highly regarded by the media as a whole. Miss it and you miss out."
Alan Powell (Editor of The Sheffield Telegraph)
"If you want to meet the best new talent, rub shoulders with hot commissioning editors, find a co-production partner, debate the future of documentary or enjoy really great films and programmes then why haven't you booked your ticket already?"
John McVay (Chief Executive, Pact
"This is such an significant festival for all documentary producers. It has never been more important to keep the documentary form alive and kicking for a 21st century audience"
Lorraine Heggessey
"Sheffield is building a reputation as one of the key documentary destinations. It is a must for anyone seriously interesting in the documentary form."
Stuart Cosgrove
"If you want to change the world through documentary then meet the world of docs at Sheffield."
John McVay (Chief Executive, Pact
"I am delighted that for the 14th successive year the UK's premier documentary film and television festival is once again at the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield. This is a festival that is unique and must not be missed by anyone whether the general public or those working in the industry."
Cllr Mike Pye (Cabinet Adviser for Culture)
"Sheffield is that rare thing - a genuine meeting-place where creative people can get together on equal terms and celebrate excellence: a real treat." "It’s great to see that over the years, the profile of the festival has grown and I hope it continues to become more widely celebrated" "Sheffield Doc/Fest does what is says on the tin. It celebrates, debates and sleeps, eats and breathes documentary washed down with a surfeit of festiveness. It is a jewel in the Film and TV Festival calendar." "At a time when dictatorships seize mobile phones, DV cameras and close down access to the internet we need the Sheffield Doc fest more than ever." "The Sheffield International Documentary Festival has gone from strength to strength over recent years and I am pleased to again support this year’s event. I was delighted last year when the event became a world leader by becoming CO2 neutral and I am equally delighted that this will continue this year. I wish the event and all involved well with Doc/Fest this year." "The fact that Doc/Fest, the 2nd largest documentary festival in the world, has been run in Sheffield for 13 years really proves that Britain can hold its own in the documentary industry." "It's got a very good atmosphere and it's extremely well organised." "...It's far and away the most important for any sort of documentary filmmaker."Roly Keating
Michael Jackson
Dawn Airey
John McVay (Chief Executive, Pact)
Meg Munn MP
Sir Hugh Sykes
Anthony Wall (Series Editor, Arena, BBC)
Grant Gee
Press quotes after 2007 Festival:
"The UK's premier festival of its kind."
BBC Radio 4
"…increasingly well attended by international funders and commissioning editors."
Broadcast
"Sheffield Doc/Fest (which takes place every November) is widely regarded as one of the most important events in the international documentary-making calendar."
Hotline magazine
"It attracted a more than capacity opening night audience which necessitated an extra screening at the Showroom."
Sheffield Telegraph
"The event is the gem of South Yorkshire and it brings the crème of the worlds documentaries to the Showroom Cinema, offering five days and nights to lose yourself in stories from around the world and peek into other peoples lives."
City magazine
"…Many fascinating and hugely varied films on offer to both delegates and members of the public…"
Profile magazine
"...one of the worlds most respected documentary film festivals."
Go To Town magazine
"The UK’s leading documentary festival has become a major industry event in recent years, and as such sees a range of big name speakers as well as a host of screening of some of the finest examples of documentary film from across the globe."
Exposed magazine
“The Sheffield Doc/Fest featured many interesting panel discussions on various issues spanning from ‘truth’ to ‘future distribution…All in all, a very strong year.”
Dox Documentary Film Magazine
"Cutting-edge."
Shefield Star
"One of the biggest movie and TV festivals in the world…"
Profile magazine
Press quotes after 2006 Festival:
"A powerful festival that brings the best of world documentary to the cinema screen."
Film 2006 Jonathan Ross
"The Sheffield Docfest has a worldwide reputation for excellence."
Empireonline.com
"...the best showcase for modern documentary in the UK."
The Independent (The Information)
"As usual this long-running festival has a strong programme from all over the world."
Guardian Guide
"hugely respected" & "a great chance to get an early look at some cracking films."
Film Review
"…this dedicated programme of documentary films can’t fail to fascinate."
The Times (The Knowledge)
"…the most brilliant touching and eye-opening films from around the world."
Sunday Express (S Magazine)
"the UK’s largest documentary festival…attracting some of the freshest movie talent to or doorstep this month" & "The Sheffield International Documentary Festival offers great opportunities to filmmakers".
Big Issue
"…the UK’s biggest documentary film festival demonstrates the diversity of the documentary industry."
Metro
"Britain’s premier festival of documentary film and television…"
Sheffield Star
"…a worldwide reputation for excellence."
BBC.co.uk
"The UK’s foremost event for factual film and television."