From 18 - 23 June 2025, we celebrated our 32nd edition. Following on from the success of the festival, we're pleased to present our 2025 Festival Report and invite you to reflect on the achievements of this year's edition with us!
The 2025 festival boasted:
45,595 total festival admissions
117 films from 68 countries with more than 80% of films presented with attending directors, producers and main characters
2,407 delegates from 80 countries
370+ pieces of press coverage
£2.6 million total economic impact on the city of Sheffield
1,079 meetings across the MeetMarket and talent schemes
The 32nd edition centred around the theme ‘Where Perspectives Meet’, opening with the world premiere of Kim Hopkins’ tragicomic Still Pushing Pineapples, a heartfelt story of a former pop singer aiming for a musical comeback; the film investigates the fleeting nature of fame and the ever-changing landscape of British society and cultural tastes. This opening film was presented in our MeetMarket as a work-in-progress during the 2024 festival edition.
From activism and climate justice to queer narratives and journeys through archival treasures, the 2025 film programme offered wide-ranging content for diverse audiences, sparking conversation and bringing together different perspectives on our world.
By looking forward and supporting global creativity and technological innovation, Sheffield DocFest makes Sheffield the international crucible for the future of documentary storytelling.
Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato were the festival’s Guests of Honour; co-founders of the groundbreaking production company, World of Wonder, they curated an exclusive programme celebrating their work across documentary and entertainment.
Alternate Realities showcased cutting-edge immersive storytelling in XR, VR, installation and performance, including Baff Akoto’s Collateral Echoes, a moving XR memorial to Black and immigrant Britons. The strand convened artists and producers through the XR Artists Forum, reinforcing Sheffield DocFest’s role as a hub for innovation in non-fiction narratives.
Talks and Sessions programme further expanded on vital themes, including the creation and preservation of archives, climate change and the environmental crisis, authorship, accessibility, and the risks and responsibilities of telling difficult stories. It offered Craft Focus sessions on AI and music rights. Audiences attended events with world-class talent, which included Brian Cox, Nina Hossain, David Blaine, Ella Al-Shamahi, Norma Pearcy and the hosts of the Bad Gays podcast Ben Miller and Huw Lemmey.
Podcast Stories brought together public audiences and industry professionals to explore the power and potential of podcast storytelling; sociologist Les Back’s Here We Go! podcast challenged our perceptions of football chants, reframing them as folk music and cultural commentary.
The Industry Market and MeetMarket, celebrating its 20th year, once again supported 50 projects through curated one-to-one meetings and Rough Cut presentations, enabling filmmakers and producers to connect with each other and buyers, sales agents, distributors and international film funds. These connections led to deals within the market itself and through a wider programme of marketplace activities.
Pitches gave filmmakers and podcasters the chance to secure support for developing and producing their projects, with more than £160,000 awarded across the strands this year. Delegates were treated to a live masterclass in pitching as they watched various projects secure crucial backing.
Engagement, Access and Participation are major priorities for the festival. To ensure wider engagement many events were BSL-interpreted, including the popular Speed Signing Drinks. A new Local Advisory Group of South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire residents shaped programme feedback; community outreach initiatives included themed Roadmaps and the Pay as You Feel café screening, ensuring the festival was open and connected to diverse and local audiences.
Talent Development is central to Sheffield DocFest’s mission, with programmes that support emerging filmmakers, artists, critics and producers.
The Filmmaker Challenge invited six early-career directors to create short documentaries in and around Sheffield under the mentorship of Oscar® and BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Waad Al-Kateab, the fast turnaround culminated in a festival screening and discussion.
Public audiences continued to grow in 2025, a signal of the increasing impact of documentary cinema and nonfiction forms. Audience feedback was positive and engaged: almost half of the audience attended more than four films or events, and 96% reported having a very good or excellent time! More than a third of the public audience came from outside South Yorkshire, with many from all over the UK, as well as visitors from Australia, Ireland, Germany, Japan, South Africa, The Netherlands and the USA.
Film submissions grew to over 2,750. 117 films (83 features and 34 shorts) were chosen for the final selection. The official programme included 53 World Premieres, 17 International Premieres, 8 European Premieres, and 37 UK Premieres. Films came from 68 countries with 40 languages represented across 206 screenings. More than 80% of films were presented with attending directors, producers and main characters, bringing creative insight and authentic stories to Sheffield.
