Cannes Docs

AJB DOC / AJD INDUSTRY DAYS

Website 

AJB DOC Film Festival is an international documentary film festival and industry platform for TV documentaries, organized by Al Jazeera Balkans in cooperation with Al Jazeera Documentary Channel and Al Jazeera Media Institute. The festival will also feature the 3rd AJD Industry Days forum, providing opportunities for filmmakers from Southeast Europe, the Caucasus, and the Middle East and North Africa to network and secure funding for their documentary projects. The 7th edition of AJB DOC Film Festival and AJD industry days will be held in Sarajevo from September 13th to 17th, 2024.

CPH:DOX

Website 

CPH:DOX is one of the biggest 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 festival runs a strong industry platform with the co-production and financing forum CPH:FORUM, CPH:MARKET, CPH:CONFERENCE, and the talent development programme CPH:LAB. The next edition of CPH:DOX takes place 19-30 March, 2025 and its industry events 23-28 March 2025.

DOCUDAYS UA

Website 

Docudays UA IHRDFF is an annual event in Kyiv (Ukraine) which usually consists of Competitive and Non-Competitive Programmes, the RIGHTS NOW! Human Rights Programme, and the DOCU/PRO Industry Platform. After 24 February 2022, new projects were launched: the promotion of Ukrainian culture and spreading the truth about the Russian war against Ukraine; a fundraising initiative DOCU/HELP; and the Ukraine War Archive, an online database of war evidence. The 21th edition of Docudays UA is scheduled for May 31 – June 9.

DOK LEIPZIG

Website 

DOK Leipzig is one of the leading festivals for documentary and animated film. With its programme of creative films, XR experiences and various discussion formats, the festival encourages an exchange about artistic approaches in dealing with political and social issues. DOK Industry supports the creation and circulation of new creative documentaries from all over the world. Exceptional projects are presented every year in a welcoming and open environment. Next edition: 28 Oct – 3 Nov 2024.

É TUTO VERDADE

Website 

Founded in 1996 by the Brazilian critic Amir Labaki, É Tudo Verdade/It’s All True is the oldest and most traditional documentary film festival in Latin America. The festival presents simultaneously, in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, International and Brazilian competitions for feature and short films, a Latin American focus, informative programs, retrospectives and the International Documentary Conference. É Tudo Verdade/It’s All True is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival for the Oscar for best feature documentary and for best short documentary. The 29th edition of the festival took place in April 2024, presenting 77 titles from 34 countries. The special milestone of its 30th edition will happen from April 3rd to 13th, 2025. Submissions are free and will be open from next August.

ENCOUNTERS

Website 

For 26 years, Encounters South African International Documentary Festival has been a key event in Cape Town and Johannesburg, showcasing documentaries and supporting the South African documentary industry. It is vital for launching local filmmakers’ careers and promoting African cinema, with partnerships including Cannes Docs and DOK.fest Munich. Encounters promotes diversity and filmmaker development, establishing itself not just as a festival, but as a hub for knowledge and community growth.

FESTIVAL DEI POPOLI

Website 

The Festival dei Popoli – International Documentary Film Festival is the main festival dedicated to creative documentary and experimental cinema in Italy and the oldest in Europe. The 65th edition (Florence, 2-10 November 2024) will include: an International Feature Films Competition, a Discoveries International Competition, a national competition, tributes and retrospectives, masterclasses, debates, special workshops and programmes for young audiences, the Doc at Work Future Campus (for young directors from the main European film schools) and the Doc at Work Industry (dedicated to projects in development by emerging authors).

JI.HLAVA

Website 

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 28th edition this year between October 25– November 3, in the Czech Republic.

MOVIES THAT MATTER

Website 

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 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.

RIDM

Website 

RIDM (Nov. 21-Dec. 1, 2024) explores the most stimulating and diverse visions of documentary film. From works on hot-button issues to audacious proposals that renew the language of cinema, each year the festival aims to renew our relationship with the world and to documentaries as an art form. Forum RIDM, a key space for the industry, fosters promotion, reflection and exchange, enriching the dialogue around innovative documentaries.

THESSALONIKI

Website 

TiDF is the biggest International, OSCAR qualifying Documentary Festival in Greece and the wider region promoting the work of emerging and well-established international filmmakers. TiDF AGORA is the industry section with a mission to promote and support documentary filmmakers in all stages of production and distribution. TiDF AGORA’s sections and activities are the Thessaloniki Pitching Forum, AGORA Docs in Progress, AGORA Lab, Doc Market, Meet the Future, AGORA Talks and Doc Counseling.

VISIONS DU RÉEL

Website 

Visions du Réel, International Film Festival is one of the leading non-fiction film festivals. It includes competitive sections –screening films in world, international or European premiere – as well as a few non-competitive ones, for around 160 films (of any length). The VdR–Industry activities, which bring over 1’300 professionals are dedicated to international projects at every stage, offering a wide range of opportunities, such as tutoring, co-production, funding and distribution.

ZINEBI

Website 

ZINEBI – International Festival of Documentary and Short Film of Bilbao is the only international Class A festival in Spain in the documentary and short film category recognised by FIAPF since 1974, accredited as 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 66th edition will take place from November 8 to 15, 2024.