News

A photo of a large hall filled with groups of people holding meetings seated around small tables

Sheffield Docfest’s Meetmarket celebrates 20 years with the announcement of 49 projects

Sheffield DocFest, the UK’s leading documentary festival and one of the world’s most influential markets for documentary projects, is thrilled to announce its slate for the 20th edition of the MeetMarket.

Industry, News

Published on April 30

Two people dancing outside at a silent disco event at a past edition of Sheffield DocFest

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!

Community, News

Published on June 13

Tish Murtha turning round to look at the camera. Image is in black and white

‘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.

Film, News

Published on June 8

Headshots of jury members for Sheffield DocFest 2023 competitions.

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.

Film, Industry, News, Press

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.

Industry, News

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.

News

Published on May 10

Close up of Tish Murtha, a British social documentary photographer

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.

News, Film

Published on April 26

Groups of people sat at tables, in discussion, at a previous Sheffield DocFest MeetMarket in Cutler's Hall

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.

Industry, News

Published on April 25

A group of people sat down at a Sheffield DocFest event

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.

News

Published on April 19

A collage of the 15 film producers taking part in our Future Producer School 2023

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.

News

Published on April 17

Three headshots. On the left, is an image of a white woman with blonde hair, wearing a pink jumper. Centre, is an image of a white woman with blonde/brown hair, wearing a blue top. On the right, is an image of a white woman with ginger hair wearing an orangey brown jumper.

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.

News, Arts, Industry

Published on March 16

Three headshots. On the left, is an image of a white man with grey hair and facial hair. In the centre, is a picture of a white woman with grey shoulder length hair. On the right, is an image of a mixed-race woman with dark hair tied up above her head.

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.

News

Published on March 16

Composite image of volunteers wearing black t-shirts

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.

News, Arts, Film, Industry, Community

Published on March 16

A woman with long, blonde hair is stood at a podium in front of a microphone. Beside her five people are sat on chairs, smiling.

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.

News, Industry

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.

News

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.

News, Film

Published on February 20

Composite of two images. To the left: a group of people are watching a talk. To the right: a man is pictured standing in front of a camera. Over the top of the image, text reads: Future Producer School.

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.

Industry, News

Published on January 12

Annabel Grundy wearing a black jumper and trousers. Stood outside, surrounded by fallen autumn leaves. She's pictured against painted with a graffiti style mural - white text against a blue background reads: You and me both mate.

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.

News

Published on November 2

2022 Festival Report & Highlights

Our 2022 Festival Report is here! Take a closer look at Sheffield DocFest 2022, and revisit some of our best moments.

News, Film, Arts, Industry, Community

Published on September 8

Festival of the Mind

Festival of the Mind takes place across Sheffield from 15 – 25 September. We're pleased to present a selection of three films from our 2022 Film Programme, screening for free at the Spiegeltent on Thursday 22 September.

News, Film, Community

Published on September 1

Raul Niño Zambrano, Alex Cooke and Clare Stewart

Announcing Raul Niño Zambrano as Acting Creative Director for 2023

Announcing Raul Niño Zambrano as Acting Creative Director for 2023; Sheffield DocFest moves to new leadership model and commences open search for Managing Director.

News

Published on August 17

Sylvia Bednarz joins The Grierson Trust as Managing Director

The Board and Team at Sheffield DocFest congratulates Sylvia Bednarz, our Partnerships & Operations Director, on her new appointment as Managing Director of The Grierson Trust.

News

Published on July 28

2023 dates announced and Lightning Passes on sale

Following this year’s hugely successful festival, we are delighted to announce the dates for Sheffield DocFest 2023 with Lightning Passes now on sale.

News

Published on July 27

Silhouette of a person wearing a VR headset, stood in front of a projection of digitally rendered trees and leaves.

Alternate Realities Exhibition Continues...

Our Alternate Realities main exhibition continues until 24 July at Site Gallery, Sheffield. Experience a range of works that are currently leading the field of experimental documentary making. Free and open to all.

News, Arts

Published on June 30

2022 Awards Winners Announced

We are delighted to announce this year’s winners presented during the awards ceremony at Sheffield City Hall’s Memorial Hall this evening, the Festival’s closing night.

News

Published on June 28