Competitions & Awards

International Competition

Honouring films that best display strong artistic vision and courageous storytelling. The Grand Jury Award for the International Competition is Academy Award accredited.

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Image of a young child sat in a car. She is holding up a written sign on a piece of paper.

International First Feature Competition

This competition honours the future of non-fiction film and celebrates promising talent.

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A woman sits on a stone wall. In the background, another woman sits on a balcony above a pile of rocks.

International Short Film Competition

This competition honours the best creative approach to documentary under 40 minutes. The Grand Jury Award for the International Short Film Competition is a BAFTA, Academy Award and BIFA-accredited award.

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Four photos are pegged to a clothes line, creating a black and white portrait of a woman.

Tim Hetherington Award

Photojournalist and filmmaker Tim Hetherington was committed to humanitarian and social concerns throughout the world. This award recognises films that best reflect his legacy.

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Women sat at a desk follow a teacher writing equations on the board. Another woman holds a camera.

International Alternate Realities Competition

The Alternate Realities exhibition showcases innovative non-fiction and immersive documentary in all forms. Taking place at Site Gallery, the exhibition is free and open to all throughout the festival dates.

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A male silhouette against an aquarium.

Youth Jury Award

This award is selected by some of the UK's most passionate young documentary lovers.

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A masked group pose for a selfie outside a building at night.

Audience Award

The Sheffield DocFest audience have the opportunity to cast their vote at cinemas and venues for their favourite films and works - every feature film in the programme is eligible for the FIlm Audience Award.

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An audience sits in a dark cinema.

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