Cannes Docs

CPH:DOX

CPH:DOX is one of the most important documentary film festivals in the world. The festival supports independent and innovative filmmaking and presents the best and brightest in contemporary non-fiction film.

The CPH:INDUSTRY platform, comprises an umbrella of B2B activities for film professionals, that reflect CPH:DOX’s strong focus on creative crossovers between film, journalism, art, science, new technology and social change. Continuously expanding its scope and impact, CPH:INDUSTRY is a vibrant professional platform supporting risk-taking, innovative non-fiction media, spanning from feature films and series to new media productions.

The main activities are CPH:FORUM, CPH:MARKET, CPH:SUMMIT, CPH:CONFERENCE, the program for emerging filmmakers INTRO:DOX and the interactive and immersive development programme CPH:LAB. The next edition of CPH:DOX takes place in March 2027.

DMZ DOCS

DMZ International Documentary Film Festival (DMZ Docs) in Korea is one of the most important documentary events in Asia. Launched in 2009, DMZ Docs has promoted the value of Peace, Communication, and Life, and brought together many international documentarists and global industry professionals. DMZ Docs strives to expand the public and social functions of the documentary genre and continue our support to struggling documentary filmmakers around the world.

DOCANARIAS

The ‘DOCanarias’ International Non-Fiction Film Festival is conceived as a platform for filmmakers from Latin America and Africa who develop an original language of non-fiction cinema. Our programme engages us with the social sentiments of a world in need of common sense, through the provocative and personal perspectives of the filmmakers.

‘DOCanarias’ is also a platform for professionals from around the world who turn their gaze southwards through their projects, committing to diversity of perspectives in terms of geographical origin and gender balance in the projects. Next edition: 9–12 September 2026.

DOCUDAYS UA

Docudays UA IHRDFF is an annual event in Kyiv (Ukraine) which consists of competitive and non-competitive film programmes, series of panel discussions and workshops, interdisciplinary art programme, and the industry platform. After the festival week in Kyiv, Docudays UA presents the best films in the regions of Ukraine within the travelling festival in October-November. The 23rd edition of Docudays UA is scheduled for June 5-12, 2026.

DOC SCREENS – ÉCRANS DU RÉEL

DOC Screens – Ecrans du réel is Lebanon’s oldest running international documentary film festival, curated by Metropolis Cinema to bridge the gap between filmmakers and the public. By showcasing a diverse selection of local and global works, the festival provides a unique space for audiences—particularly young adults—to engage with the art of non-fiction. It is more than a screening series; it is a collective experience designed to spark reflection and direct conversation with the creators themselves.

DOK LEIPZIG

Founded in 1955, DOK Leipzig is the world’s oldest documentary film festival, unique in combining documentary and animated film. As a key hub for networking and industry impact, it has been shaping discourse and addressing urgent contemporary issues for decades. Each year, the festival presents around 200 outstanding films and XR experiences, fostering dialogue and exchange. DOK Industry, Germany’s leading platform for the international documentary sector, welcomes about 2,000 professionals, providing an inspiring, productive environment that promotes meaningful connections and co-operations. Next edition: 26 Oct – 1 Nov 2026

DOKUFEST

DokuFest is Kosovo’s leading film festival, using cinema to inspire social and cultural change. Since 2002, it has grown into a key regional festival, showcasing powerful documentaries and short films, and nurtures a new wave of young filmmakers. It is a BAFTA-qualifying and a EFA nominating festival.

É TUDO VERDADE / IT’S ALL TRUE

Founded in 1996 by Brazilian critic Amir Labaki, É Tudo Verdade / It’s All True is the oldest and most established documentary film festival in Latin America. Held simultaneously in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the festival presents International and Brazilian competitions for feature and short films, a Latin American focus, informative programs, retrospectives, and the International Documentary Conference. Recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an Oscar-qualifying festival for Best Feature Documentary and Best Short Documentary, É Tudo Verdade/It’s All True will celebrate its 3nd edition in April 2027. Submissions are free and will open next August.

ENCOUNTERS

For 28 years, Encounters South African International Documentary Festival has been a defining force in Cape Town and Johannesburg, championing courageous documentaries and strengthening the South African film industry. A launchpad for bold local filmmakers, it champions African cinema through partnerships like Cannes Docs. More than a festival, Encounters drives diversity, nurtures talent, and strengthens community, serving as a vital engine for knowledge exchange and dynamic industry growth.

FESTIVAL DEI POPOLI

The Festival dei Popoli – International Documentary Film Festival is the main Italian event dedicated to creative documentary and experimental cinema and the oldest documentary festival in Europe.

The 67th edition (Florence, 31 October – 8 November 2026) will include three competitions (International Feature Film, International Discoveries and National Competition), Future Campus (a training programme for emerging talents), along with side sections, tributes, retrospectives, talks, workshops and programmes for young audiences. The festival also includes Doc at Work, the industry platform offering networking, panels and co-production opportunities for international professionals.

IDFA

IDFA is a leading documentary institute dedicated to strengthening the international documentary field. We support the creative development and visibility of independent filmmakers and artists, help improve their economic resilience, and connect them with an engaged audience.

JI.HLAVA

The Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival is a key European documentary event, the co-founding member of Doc Alliance network, and the largest event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe. The festival retains a distinctive and progressive programming approach and has built a significant Industry section, featuring projects such as EMERGING PRODUCERS, Ji.hlava New Visions Forum and Market, Festival Identity and Inspiration Forum. The festival is famous for its informal atmosphere, discussion character, and full screening venues. The Ji.hlava IDFF will celebrate its 30th edition this year between October 23 – November 1, in the Czech Republic

MOVIES THAT MATTER

Movies that Matter offers a stage for poignant fiction films and revealing documentaries that stir debates about human rights, sustainability and injustice. End of March, the Oscar® qualifying Festival takes place in The Hague, the Netherlands and combines film screenings with in-depth programs and industry events, incl. our Pitching Event: Take on Film & Impact. Besides the festival, we go On Tour, have a huge educational program and an International Support department for human rights festivals abroad.

PORDENONE DOCS FEST

Pordenone Docs Fest presents top international documentaries, premiering acclaimed works that explore today’s most urgent issues. With strong media attention and a passionate audience, it unites cinematic quality with social purpose. A welcoming place where directors, great cinema masters and professionals return, enriched by a vibrant industry program, retrospectives, talks and cine concerts—making it a key Italian festival as Pordenone moves toward becoming Capital of Culture 2027.

PORTO/POST/DOC

Porto/Post/Doc Film & Media Festival is one of Portugal’s leading platforms for documentary and contemporary non-fiction film, combining an ambitious international programme with public debate, education and artistic discovery. Porto Industry Days is its dynamic professional platform, offering co-production meetings, project development, screenings and curated networking, while creating meaningful connections between filmmakers and decision-makers across Portugal, Europe and Latin America.

RIDM

RIDM rank among the most important documentary film festivals in North America. For nearly 30 years, they have presented each November over a hundred works reflecting the vitality and diversity of contemporary documentary filmmaking. Held in Montreal — a natural crossroads between Europe and the Americas — RIDM bring together a dedicated cinephile audience and a growing community of national and international industry professionals. Forum RIDM, their professional market, has become a key gathering point for producers and filmmakers, offering a wealth of opportunities for mentorship, project pitching, co-production, one-on-one meetings, and networking.

THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL

Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival (TIDF) (Mar. 5-15, 2026) is the leading Oscar-qualifying festival in Greece and the wider region, showcasing inspiring documentaries that travel. AGORA, the festival’s industry event, promotes emerging and established non-fiction talents in all stages of production and distribution, encouraging conversation between creatives and key stakeholders in a diverse and inclusive market. Sections: Thessaloniki Pitching Forum, AGORA Docs in Progress, AGORA Boost, AGORA XR Lab, AGORA Cross-border, AGORA Talks & Doc Counseling, Doc Together.

VISIONS DU RÉEL

Leading non-fiction film festival, Visions du Réel (9–18 April, 2027) features competitive and curated sections – primarily screening films in world and international premieres. Recent guests of honour have included Claire Denis, Werner Herzog, Lucrecia Martel, and Jia Zhang-Ke. Its Industry programme, attracting over 1400 professionals, focuses on supporting international projects looking for mentorship, funding, co-production, and distribution opportunities.

YAGAMATA INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL

Running biennially since 1989 in the northern Japanese city of Yamagata, Yagamata International Documentary Film Festival (YIDFF) has been a major force in cultivating audiences and filmmakers of creative documentary in Asia. Its program offers a window into the diversity and innovation of contemporary filmmaking through two competitions and extensive thematic sections. Beloved as a meeting place, it fosters community and exchange among filmmakers, professionals, and locals, while maintaining an active year-round program.

ZAGREBDOX

ZagrebDox is one of the most significant Croatian cultural events and one of the most important documentary film festivals in the wider region. ZagrebDox continuously promotes creative documentary film and has become a key venue for world, regional, and national premieres as well as for networking among professionals from around the world. Since 2022 ZagrebDox is member of the prestigious list of world festivals whose films compete for the annual European Film Academy Award for documentary film.

ZINEBI

The International Festival of Documentary and Short Film of Bilbao – ZINEBI has been accredited by FIAPF since 1974. It is also a qualifier for the Oscars, BAFTA, Goya Awards and the European Film Awards. It firmly supports emerging authors and documentary filmmakers, and, each year, shows more than 100 short and feature films. ZINEBI also aims to provide new opportunities for the development of creative and independent documentary projects from Spain at ZINEBI Networking. Its 68th edition will take place from November 20 to 27, 2026.