News

2023 Festival Report

Our 2023 Festival Report is here! In the report, we take a look back at our 30th anniversary edition and reflect on some of the achievements of the festival. Read the full report here.
Published on November 2

Festival Films & Where to Watch Them

Take a look at some of our titles from across the festival that are available to watch online, on TV and in cinemas now, and look ahead to some of the upcoming releases scheduled for the rest of the year. Catch up on your favourites, or tune into the films you missed during the festival!
Published on September 27

Open Call for MeetMarket Preselectors

**Applications are now closed**We are seeking expressions of interest from those living and working in the UK with a minimum three years experience in areas such as film and TV production, film markets/forums, film financing, film fund, film sales, film or TV commissioning to preselect projects submitted for our 2024 MeetMarket.
Published on August 31

Your Fat Friend wins Audience Award at the 2023 Sheffield DocFest

We are so thrilled to announce the 2023 Audience Award is presented to Your Fat Friend directed and produced by Jeanie Finlay (USA, 2023)!
Published on June 19

Announcing 2023 Sheffield DocFest Award Winners and an Increase On Delegate Attendance Figures

As our 30th Edition comes to a close, we're thrilled to announce this year’s winners presented during the Awards Ceremony, supported by Adobe, at Sheffield’s Crucible Playhouse on Sunday 18 June 2023. 
Published on June 18

Nobel Prize Winning ‘Novaya Gazeta’ Editor Dmitry Muratov to Attend the Sheffield DocFest World Premiere of 'The Price Of Truth'

We are pleased to announce that Dmitry Muratov will attend the Sheffield DocFest 2023 screening of The Price of Truth, which is followed by an in-person conversation with director Patrick Forbes. The event takes place at Sheffield Crucible Theatre and is supported by Channel 4.
Published on June 15

Your Favourite Memories of Sheffield DocFest

Over the past 30 editions of Sheffield DocFest, we have had the great joy of creating a space for documentary makers and lovers to come together and celebrate the work being done by the industry. Here are some good, heartfelt, and funny times members of the DocFest team, both past and present, have had since we began way back in 1994. We’d love to hear yours!
Published on June 13

‘The outsider': a film about the forgotten photographer Tish Murtha opens Sheffield DocFest 2023

Murtha died suddenly in 2013, having never received recognition for her photography. But today, she is recognised as one of the most significant artists of her generation. In an article written by Tom Seymour and originally published on The Art Newspaper, Paul Sng, photographer David Hurn, and Simon Bainbridge, the head of content for Magnum Photo Agency shed light on how Murtha’s career began. Read on to learn more.
Published on June 8

Supporting New Talent During the 30th Edition of Sheffield DocFest

We are excited to announce the filmmakers selected to participate in the Filmmaker Challenge; the four pitches - Channel 4 First Cut Pitch, BBC Storyville Development Pitch, The Whickers Pitch and The Podcast Pitch; along with our 2023 jury members. Join us at our 30th edition of the festival  to ‘Spark Curiosity’ with documentary - and each other - in Sheffield, 14-19 June 2023.
Published on May 31

Announcing our full Industry programme for Sheffield DocFest 2023

We are pleased to reveal our full Industry Programme for the 30th edition of Sheffield DocFest which completes our full festival line up. This year we are ‘Sparking Curiosity’ with documentary - and each other - in Sheffield, 14-19 June 2023.
Published on May 17

Announcing our full Public Programme for Sheffield DocFest 2023

We are proud to reveal our full Film programme, Alternate Realities exhibitions, and public Talks for the 30th edition of Sheffield DocFest where we are ‘Sparking Curiosity’ with documentary - and each other - in Sheffield, 14-19 June 2023.
Published on May 10

Announcing 2023 Opening Night Film, Guest of Honour, and one of our headline talks

We are thrilled to announce the Opening Night Film, our Guest of Honour, and one of headline talks ahead of our full Programme Launch on Wednesday 10 May.
Published on April 26

2023 MeetMarket Projects

Explore the 48 international documentary projects selected to pitch at the 18th edition of our flagship pitching forum, the MeetMarket. The event will take place on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 of June 2023.
Published on April 25

Banijay UK Acceleration Bursary for Up-and-Coming Talent

Applications are now closed for the Banijay UK's Acceleration Bursary for Up-and-Coming Talent, which aims to support 35 emerging creatives across the UK television industry to attend the 30th edition of Sheffield DocFest.
Published on April 19

Introducing our 2023 Future Producer School cohort

We're excited for you to meet the 15 creatives who will be taking part in our Future Producer School this year which will be running from April - June.
Published on April 17

Welcoming Senior Team Members & Alternate Realities Advisory Committee

Welcoming Beccy Ashdown as Talks & Sessions Senior Producer; Lisa Brook as Festival Marketing & Communications Lead; Verity Nalley as Alternate Realities Consultant; and meet our Alternate Realities Advisory Committee, who will be reviewing and selecting projects for our 2023 Alternate Realities Exhibition.
Published on March 16

Announcing our new trustees

Following an open call for applications, we are delighted to welcome three newly appointed members to our Board of Trustees: Stephen Bowen, Lucy McDowell and Zoe Mumba. They will bring a wide-range of expertise to the organisation, across film, funding and development, human rights and law, public relations and technology.
Published on March 16

Volunteer applications open

Interested in volunteering? Want to see how an international film and arts festival works? Join our DocCrew Volunteer Programme. With roles available across all areas of the festival, there's something for everyone. Find out more and get involved.
Published on March 16

The Channel 4 First Cut Pitch is back!

Want to get your new documentary in front of Channel 4? Five new directors will have the chance to pitch their 60' film at the First Cut Pitch at our festival this June and one winner will walk away with a commission. Apply by Sunday 2 April 2023.
Published on March 10

Meet our 2023 Future Film Programmers

In collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University, we are delighted to introduce this year's cohort of Future Film Programmers who have curated a selection of impactful documentaries centred on a theme of social change. Join us for a free screening of two works from the selection on Wednesday 8 March at Showroom Cinema, Sheffield.
Published on March 1

Introducing our Film Programme Team, Programme Consultants & Advisers

We're thrilled to introduce our Film Programme Team, and team of Programme Consultants and Advisers, who will who will be selecting films for this year’s edition, set to take place 14-19 June 2023.
Published on February 20

Future Producer School

**Applications now closed**
Future Producer School, created by Sheffield DocFest and Bungalow Town Productions, has returned! Future Producer School aims to develop industry partnerships and provide industry knowledge and experience to up-and-coming producers that have the ambition to become international feature documentary producers.
Published on January 12

Join the Sheffield DocFest Youth Jury!

Applications for our Youth Jury programme are open. Now in its 16th year, the programme offers five young film enthusiasts the opportunity to meet film industry experts, select films for the Festival, and choose the winner of the Youth Jury Award announced at the Sheffield DocFest Awards Ceremony!
Published on November 22

Announcing our new Managing Director: Annabel Grundy

Announcing our new Managing Director, Annabel Grundy who will join the Festival in December 2022 in a new joint leadership position, working collaboratively alongside Acting Creative Director, Raul Niño Zambrano.
Published on November 2

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