We are incredibly proud to announce the full Public Programme for our 2026 festival 'Realities in Motion', bringing over 100 events to Sheffield from 10-15 June which will offer the chance to see highly anticipated World, International, European and UK premieres of the latest documentaries before they reach cinemas, public broadcasters and streaming services.
The programme celebrates the best in non-fiction storytelling across multiple platforms, including documentary features, shorts, docuseries, podcast live events, immersive and extended reality exhibitions, talks, masterclasses and more.
Highlights include...
- This year's Film Programme brings together over 200 screenings, including 45 World Premieres, 17 International Premieres, 5 European Premieres, and 35 UK Premieres from 64 Countries
- Opening Night film We, The Hated explores power, protest and democracy with revealing insider access to Just Stop Oil protestors
- Intimate documentaries explore the lives of media personality Katie Price, Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson, sports stars Billie Jean King and Eric Cantona, politician Eamon Ryan, Drag Race queen Pangina Heals, plus screenings with actor Michael Sheen, historian David Olusoga, and Youtuber and former financial trader Gary Stevenson
- Exceptional access-driven music documentaries spotlight Earth, Wind & Fire, Sheffield ‘80s pop group Heaven 17, heavy metal band Judas Priest, punk band Ultimate Thunder and singer-songwriter Patrick Wolf with Tilda Swinton
- Internationally celebrated filmmakers present their latest works including Maite Alberdi, Waad Al-Kateab, Mark Cousins, Sara Dosa, Liz Garbus, Questlove and more.
- In addition to her headline talk, Guest of Honour Maxine Peake presents three selected films, a reading of her play Queens of the Coal Age and a live performance with Sheffield electronic music legends The Eccentronic Research Council
- Talks with Miriam Margolyes, Chris Packham, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Norma Percy, Andrea Arnold, Melanie Blatt, Sam Browne, and the crew of Educating Yorkshire
- Exclusive live podcasts with Chris Packham, Charlie Webster, BBC Radio 4's Illuminated, and the 2025 Whickers Podcast Pitch winner: Redemption Man
- Our ‘Alternate Realities’ programme explores gaming multi-worlds and immersive storytelling showcase Sheffield of Stories, a collaborative Sheffield Minecraft project
- GEN Docfest: ‘Wild Futures’ themed events and screenings to celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, alongside Horrible Histories & Horrible Science: A Thoroughly Horrible Morning! announced for our brand new family strand
Events will take place in iconic venues and unusual spaces throughout Sheffield with screenings at The Showroom, The Light and Curzon cinemas; talks at The Lyceum, The Montgomery, The Crucible Playhouse and Crucible Adelphi; and Alternate Realities programme at Yorkshire Artspace: Persistence Works. Public tickets are on sale now.
Unifying themes of this year's selections, talks, and industry sessions are Journalism & Freedom of the Press; Activism & Storytelling; Artificial Intelligence; Indigenous Voices; Games & Play; Climate Crisis & Environmental Justice; Queer Narratives; Archival Work & Historical Memory; and Content for Young Audiences.
Sheffield DocFest is made possible with the huge support of partners, funders and sponsors, including Principal Funders the BFI Audience Projects Fund, awarding National Lottery funding, Sheffield City Council and Arts Council England.
Raul Niño Zambrano, Creative Director, Sheffield DocFest said: “In 2026, we are navigating a world defined by both profound uncertainty and constant transformation. Our theme, Realities in Motion, captures this momentum, reflecting how our lives are continually reshaped by collective action, from climate advocacy and social activism to the enduring power of music. Whether through features, shorts, TV episodes, podcasts, games, talks, or immersive XR experiences, we have curated a programme that celebrates the full spectrum of documentary storytelling. I am deeply grateful to our advisors, consultants, and the entire DocFest team for their tireless work in building a balanced, inclusive programme designed to spark deep curiosity and meaningful dialogue. We can’t wait to share it with our international audience.”
Mimi Poskitt, Managing Director, Sheffield DocFest said: “Documentary storytelling has the power to open our eyes to the world and help us make sense of the realities around us which is why Sheffield DocFest, now in its 33rd year, continues to evolve alongside the audiences it serves. We are extremely proud of how this year’s programme reflects the dynamic ways people engage with non-fiction storytelling - seeking out immersive, innovative and thought-provoking experiences. It’s also why we decided to launch GEN DocFest, a new strand dedicated to children and families. Not only does this underscore our dedication to welcoming and inspiring the next generation of audiences and creators, but it will also help to ensure the documentary form remains inclusive, accessible and relevant for generations to come.”
Kate Josephs, Chief Executive, Sheffield City Council, said: “DocFest is a vital part of Sheffield’s cultural life and international reputation as a city that champions culture, creativity, documentary and debate. We are proud to support the festival and the opportunities it creates for people in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and beyond to engage with world‑class film, ideas and talent. This year’s programme once again demonstrates the ambition, originality and relevance that have made DocFest such an important fixture in the city’s cultural calendar.”
Ben Luxford, Director of UK-wide Audiences, BFI said: "We’re so pleased to be supporting DocFest with BFI National Lottery funding to deliver an incredible programme for audiences to discover, enjoy, and engage with, and to shine a vital light on Documentary film. Some would say Sheffield is already the centre of the world, and for one week in June others will agree."
Accessibility
The festival is committed to offering several Festival screenings and events with access options for people who are D/deaf and hard of hearing. All screenings at the Crucible Theatre will have open captions; and/or will include British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation.
Access details for the full programme are included in individual listings and available in a dedicated access page on the website. Complimentary tickets are available for Personal Assistants, Carers, or sign language interpreters, and must be booked in advance. To view up to date details of our services, including BSL interpretation, relaxed screenings, subtitled and captioned films, please visit www.sheffdocfest.com/attend/accessibility. For any enquiries email access@sheffdocfest.com
About Sheffield DocFest
Sheffield DocFest is the UK’s leading documentary festival and one of the world’s most influential markets for documentary projects. We champion and present the breadth of documentary form – film, television, immersive and art – in the vibrant city of Sheffield each June. We offer makers and audiences a place for inspiration, debate, development, learning and challenge. Our programming represents our core values – creativity, empathy, freedom, inclusivity and internationalism.
Sheffield DocFest is run by International Documentary Festival Sheffield, an independent registered charity (no.1184849), whose purpose is to advance the art of film, education and training in documentary filmmaking.
The 33rd edition of the festival will take place between 10-15 June 2026 in Sheffield, UK. For key dates including film entry deadlines, programme launch and marketplace activity visit https://www.sheffdocfest.com/key-dates
About the BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund
The BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund will award £19.7m of National Lottery funding from 2026-2029 to support the exhibition and distribution of ambitious, audience-facing, film and immersive projects. The fund supports distributors, exhibitors and festivals to bring independent films and immersive activity to audiences across the UK in a dynamic and original way, demonstrating cultural ambition and encouraging audiences to take risks in the viewing choices they make. The £19.7 million for BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund is part of a total £33.5 million allocated for Audiences as part of the National Lottery Funding Plan 2026-2029.
About the BFI
The BFI is a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK's lead organisation for film and the moving image.
Our mission is:
*To support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers
*To grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world's largest film and television archive
*To offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through our programmes and festivals - delivered online and in venue
*To use our knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding
*To work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK's screen industries
Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter.
The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Jay Hunt OBE
