Instagram Story Viewer

It’s official… Our full #SheffDocFest2026 Industry Programme is now LIVE! 💥🎊

🤩 41 Industry Sessions, 4 Live Pitches, a broad range of Marketplace Sessions, the Filmmaker Challenge, Marketplace Rough Cuts, Craft Focus sessions, our brand-new Production Hub and much more!

🔗Explore the full Industry Programme now at the link in our bio!

Highlights include:

⚡️ Nevine Mabro, the @bbc’s new Head of Storyville, and Fiona Campbell, BBC Director of Factual, on the commissioning strategy and enduring importance of the BBC’s award-winning international documentary strand

⚡️ Mandy Chang, CEO of the @docfilmcouncil, and Mark Edwards leading a solutions-led conversation on shaping the future of UK documentary

⚡️ In-depth masterclasses with Academy Award-nominated directors @maitealberdi and @unadosa

⚡️ @channel4 in conversation with Joe Bullman, BAFTA-nominated director of Dirty Business

⚡️ Commissioning editors from 5 discuss the ethical, creative and legal factors behind sensitive, high-stakes storytelling, with a behind-the-scenes look at Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards

⚡️ The co-founders of the @freedomfilmfest on the growing political pressure and shrinking support facing human rights film festivals

⚡️ The filmmakers and subjects of @silenced_film , Filthy and @matinino_film exploring the legal, cultural and systemic forces silencing women across the world

⚡️ Leading documentary makers @senoritaramita, @wafamoustafa and the makers of @birdsofwar.film on how citizen journalism can unlock stories from deadly conflict zones - and at what ethical cost

⚡️ Four live pitches for early career documentary makers: the newly expanded @whickerawards Film & TV Pitch, Channel 4 First Cut Pitch, The @whickerawards Podcast Pitch and the @climate__spring Digital-First Pitch

⚡️ Multi-award-winning filmmaker @alexthomasfilms announced as guest mentor for this year’s Filmmaker Challenge

⚡️ New for 2026: The Production Hub, a showcase for essential service providers powering factual storytelling

…and much more!

🔗Explore the full Industry Programme and buy your Festival Pass now - link in our bio!

It’s official… Our full #SheffDocFest2026 Industry Programme is now LIVE! 💥🎊

🤩 41 Industry Sessions, 4 Live Pitches, a broad range of Marketplace Sessions, the Filmmaker Challenge, Marketplace Rough Cuts, Craft Focus sessions, our brand-new Production Hub and much more!

🔗Explore the full Industry Programme now at the link in our bio!

Highlights include:

⚡️ Nevine Mabro, the @bbc’s new Head of Storyville, and Fiona Campbell, BBC Director of Factual, on the commissioning strategy and enduring importance of the BBC’s award-winning international documentary strand

⚡️ Mandy Chang, CEO of the @docfilmcouncil, and Mark Edwards leading a solutions-led conversation on shaping the future of UK documentary

⚡️ In-depth masterclasses with Academy Award-nominated directors @maitealberdi and @unadosa

⚡️ @channel4 in conversation with Joe Bullman, BAFTA-nominated director of Dirty Business

⚡️ Commissioning editors from 5 discuss the ethical, creative and legal factors behind sensitive, high-stakes storytelling, with a behind-the-scenes look at Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards

⚡️ The co-founders of the @freedomfilmfest on the growing political pressure and shrinking support facing human rights film festivals

⚡️ The filmmakers and subjects of @silenced_film , Filthy and @matinino_film exploring the legal, cultural and systemic forces silencing women across the world

⚡️ Leading documentary makers @senoritaramita, @wafamoustafa and the makers of @birdsofwar.film on how citizen journalism can unlock stories from deadly conflict zones - and at what ethical cost

⚡️ Four live pitches for early career documentary makers: the newly expanded @whickerawards Film & TV Pitch, Channel 4 First Cut Pitch, The @whickerawards Podcast Pitch and the @climate__spring Digital-First Pitch

⚡️ Multi-award-winning filmmaker @alexthomasfilms announced as guest mentor for this year’s Filmmaker Challenge

⚡️ New for 2026: The Production Hub, a showcase for essential service providers powering factual storytelling

…and much more!

🔗Explore the full Industry Programme and buy your Festival Pass now - link in our bio!

It’s official… Our full #SheffDocFest2026 Industry Programme is now LIVE! 💥🎊

🤩 41 Industry Sessions, 4 Live Pitches, a broad range of Marketplace Sessions, the Filmmaker Challenge, Marketplace Rough Cuts, Craft Focus sessions, our brand-new Production Hub and much more!

🔗Explore the full Industry Programme now at the link in our bio!

Highlights include:

⚡️ Nevine Mabro, the @bbc’s new Head of Storyville, and Fiona Campbell, BBC Director of Factual, on the commissioning strategy and enduring importance of the BBC’s award-winning international documentary strand

⚡️ Mandy Chang, CEO of the @docfilmcouncil, and Mark Edwards leading a solutions-led conversation on shaping the future of UK documentary

⚡️ In-depth masterclasses with Academy Award-nominated directors @maitealberdi and @unadosa

⚡️ @channel4 in conversation with Joe Bullman, BAFTA-nominated director of Dirty Business

⚡️ Commissioning editors from 5 discuss the ethical, creative and legal factors behind sensitive, high-stakes storytelling, with a behind-the-scenes look at Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards

⚡️ The co-founders of the @freedomfilmfest on the growing political pressure and shrinking support facing human rights film festivals

⚡️ The filmmakers and subjects of @silenced_film , Filthy and @matinino_film exploring the legal, cultural and systemic forces silencing women across the world

⚡️ Leading documentary makers @senoritaramita, @wafamoustafa and the makers of @birdsofwar.film on how citizen journalism can unlock stories from deadly conflict zones - and at what ethical cost

⚡️ Four live pitches for early career documentary makers: the newly expanded @whickerawards Film & TV Pitch, Channel 4 First Cut Pitch, The @whickerawards Podcast Pitch and the @climate__spring Digital-First Pitch

⚡️ Multi-award-winning filmmaker @alexthomasfilms announced as guest mentor for this year’s Filmmaker Challenge

⚡️ New for 2026: The Production Hub, a showcase for essential service providers powering factual storytelling

…and much more!

🔗Explore the full Industry Programme and buy your Festival Pass now - link in our bio!

It’s official… Our full #SheffDocFest2026 Industry Programme is now LIVE! 💥🎊

🤩 41 Industry Sessions, 4 Live Pitches, a broad range of Marketplace Sessions, the Filmmaker Challenge, Marketplace Rough Cuts, Craft Focus sessions, our brand-new Production Hub and much more!

🔗Explore the full Industry Programme now at the link in our bio!

Highlights include:

⚡️ Nevine Mabro, the @bbc’s new Head of Storyville, and Fiona Campbell, BBC Director of Factual, on the commissioning strategy and enduring importance of the BBC’s award-winning international documentary strand

⚡️ Mandy Chang, CEO of the @docfilmcouncil, and Mark Edwards leading a solutions-led conversation on shaping the future of UK documentary

⚡️ In-depth masterclasses with Academy Award-nominated directors @maitealberdi and @unadosa

⚡️ @channel4 in conversation with Joe Bullman, BAFTA-nominated director of Dirty Business

⚡️ Commissioning editors from 5 discuss the ethical, creative and legal factors behind sensitive, high-stakes storytelling, with a behind-the-scenes look at Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards

⚡️ The co-founders of the @freedomfilmfest on the growing political pressure and shrinking support facing human rights film festivals

⚡️ The filmmakers and subjects of @silenced_film , Filthy and @matinino_film exploring the legal, cultural and systemic forces silencing women across the world

⚡️ Leading documentary makers @senoritaramita, @wafamoustafa and the makers of @birdsofwar.film on how citizen journalism can unlock stories from deadly conflict zones - and at what ethical cost

⚡️ Four live pitches for early career documentary makers: the newly expanded @whickerawards Film & TV Pitch, Channel 4 First Cut Pitch, The @whickerawards Podcast Pitch and the @climate__spring Digital-First Pitch

⚡️ Multi-award-winning filmmaker @alexthomasfilms announced as guest mentor for this year’s Filmmaker Challenge

⚡️ New for 2026: The Production Hub, a showcase for essential service providers powering factual storytelling

…and much more!

🔗Explore the full Industry Programme and buy your Festival Pass now - link in our bio!

It’s official… Our full #SheffDocFest2026 Industry Programme is now LIVE! 💥🎊

🤩 41 Industry Sessions, 4 Live Pitches, a broad range of Marketplace Sessions, the Filmmaker Challenge, Marketplace Rough Cuts, Craft Focus sessions, our brand-new Production Hub and much more!

🔗Explore the full Industry Programme now at the link in our bio!

Highlights include:

⚡️ Nevine Mabro, the @bbc’s new Head of Storyville, and Fiona Campbell, BBC Director of Factual, on the commissioning strategy and enduring importance of the BBC’s award-winning international documentary strand

⚡️ Mandy Chang, CEO of the @docfilmcouncil, and Mark Edwards leading a solutions-led conversation on shaping the future of UK documentary

⚡️ In-depth masterclasses with Academy Award-nominated directors @maitealberdi and @unadosa

⚡️ @channel4 in conversation with Joe Bullman, BAFTA-nominated director of Dirty Business

⚡️ Commissioning editors from 5 discuss the ethical, creative and legal factors behind sensitive, high-stakes storytelling, with a behind-the-scenes look at Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards

⚡️ The co-founders of the @freedomfilmfest on the growing political pressure and shrinking support facing human rights film festivals

⚡️ The filmmakers and subjects of @silenced_film , Filthy and @matinino_film exploring the legal, cultural and systemic forces silencing women across the world

⚡️ Leading documentary makers @senoritaramita, @wafamoustafa and the makers of @birdsofwar.film on how citizen journalism can unlock stories from deadly conflict zones - and at what ethical cost

⚡️ Four live pitches for early career documentary makers: the newly expanded @whickerawards Film & TV Pitch, Channel 4 First Cut Pitch, The @whickerawards Podcast Pitch and the @climate__spring Digital-First Pitch

⚡️ Multi-award-winning filmmaker @alexthomasfilms announced as guest mentor for this year’s Filmmaker Challenge

⚡️ New for 2026: The Production Hub, a showcase for essential service providers powering factual storytelling

…and much more!

🔗Explore the full Industry Programme and buy your Festival Pass now - link in our bio!

It’s official… Our full #SheffDocFest2026 Industry Programme is now LIVE! 💥🎊

🤩 41 Industry Sessions, 4 Live Pitches, a broad range of Marketplace Sessions, the Filmmaker Challenge, Marketplace Rough Cuts, Craft Focus sessions, our brand-new Production Hub and much more!

🔗Explore the full Industry Programme now at the link in our bio!

Highlights include:

⚡️ Nevine Mabro, the @bbc’s new Head of Storyville, and Fiona Campbell, BBC Director of Factual, on the commissioning strategy and enduring importance of the BBC’s award-winning international documentary strand

⚡️ Mandy Chang, CEO of the @docfilmcouncil, and Mark Edwards leading a solutions-led conversation on shaping the future of UK documentary

⚡️ In-depth masterclasses with Academy Award-nominated directors @maitealberdi and @unadosa

⚡️ @channel4 in conversation with Joe Bullman, BAFTA-nominated director of Dirty Business

⚡️ Commissioning editors from 5 discuss the ethical, creative and legal factors behind sensitive, high-stakes storytelling, with a behind-the-scenes look at Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards

⚡️ The co-founders of the @freedomfilmfest on the growing political pressure and shrinking support facing human rights film festivals

⚡️ The filmmakers and subjects of @silenced_film , Filthy and @matinino_film exploring the legal, cultural and systemic forces silencing women across the world

⚡️ Leading documentary makers @senoritaramita, @wafamoustafa and the makers of @birdsofwar.film on how citizen journalism can unlock stories from deadly conflict zones - and at what ethical cost

⚡️ Four live pitches for early career documentary makers: the newly expanded @whickerawards Film & TV Pitch, Channel 4 First Cut Pitch, The @whickerawards Podcast Pitch and the @climate__spring Digital-First Pitch

⚡️ Multi-award-winning filmmaker @alexthomasfilms announced as guest mentor for this year’s Filmmaker Challenge

⚡️ New for 2026: The Production Hub, a showcase for essential service providers powering factual storytelling

…and much more!

🔗Explore the full Industry Programme and buy your Festival Pass now - link in our bio!

📢The waiting is over! We’re beyond excited to reveal the full Public Programme for #SheffDocFest2026, ‘Realities In Motion’ in #Sheffield 10-15 June 🌟🫶

🎟️ Tickets are available now! (link in bio)

Explore our line-up:

⚡️FILMS: Dive into 80+ features and 24 shorts - 45 World Premieres, 17 International Premieres, 5 European Premieres and 35 UK Premieres from 64 countries of production

⚡️Guest of Honour Maxine Peake @betteblavatsky with curated films, a live reading of Queens of the Coal Age and a performance with The Eccentronic Research Counci

⚡️TALKS: Hear from special guests including:

🤩 Rose Ayling-Ellis @rose.a.e on putting sign language front & centre in storytelling

🤩Girlbands Forever! with All Saints’ Melanie Blatt @melanieblatt

🤩 Norma Percy on the making of Brexit: How Britain Voted Out, 10 years on from the vote

🤩Behind the Scenes: Educating Yorkshire reunion

+ many, many more, including our already announced first launch events!

⚡️PODCASTS: Live podcast events including @bbcradio4’s Dead Rabbit with Chris Packham and an exclusive Audible launch with Charlie Webster @charliewebster

⚡️ALTERNATE REALITIES: Gaming multi-worlds and immersive storytelling collide - including Sheffield of Stories, a collaborative Minecraft project

⚡️NEW FOR 2026 - GEN DOCFEST: Our brand new family strand expands with events featuring @hannahstitfall, @sambrownex and so much more for young documentary lovers

Explore the full programme now at the link in our bio 🔗☝️

#SheffDocFest26 #RealitiesInMotion #DocumentaryFestival

SHEFFIELD DOCFEST 2026: FIRST LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT 🎬

We’re delighted to announce the first programme highlights for Sheffield DocFest 2026, under this year’s programme title ‘Realities in Motion’!

📢 Maxine Peake is our Guest of Honour, curating her own strand and leading a vital conversation on working class representation and concepts of ‘Britishness’
📢 Miriam Margolyes makes her DocFest debut, reflecting on truth-telling across her long career
📢 Oscar-winning director Andrea Arnold offers a rare insight into her creative process
📢 Chris Packham reflects on his career-defining programmes in conversation with the BBC
📢 A one-off celebration of Sir David Attenborough at 100 brings together leading filmmakers and activists to reflect on an extraordinary legacy
📢 PLUS: introducing GEN DocFest, a brand new strand for families, and its first event ‘A Thoroughly Horrible Morning’, featuring the cast of Horrible Histories and Horrible Science

📅 10 - 15 June, Sheffield

TICKETS
🎟️ Our Members pre-sale is live now for 24 hours (until 09:59 BST tomorrow)
Become a Member now to access our pre-sale (link in bio)

🎟️ General sale opens at 10AM BST tomorrow (Thursday 9 April) - via the link in bio

This is just the beginning - our full programme will be launched later this month!

Let us know who are you most excited to see at Sheffield DocFest this year! 👇

In partnership with:
@britishfilminstitute
@visitsheffield
@aceagrams

Image credits
Top left: Paul Husband / Jennifer Charlton
Centre: Craig Fleming
Top right: Supplied by Zinc
Middle right: Susannah Baker-Smith
Bottom right: Supplied by BBC
Bottom left: Supplied by BBC
Middle left: Supplied by BBC Studios

SHEFFIELD DOCFEST 2026: FIRST LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT 🎬

We’re delighted to announce the first programme highlights for Sheffield DocFest 2026, under this year’s programme title ‘Realities in Motion’!

📢 Maxine Peake is our Guest of Honour, curating her own strand and leading a vital conversation on working class representation and concepts of ‘Britishness’
📢 Miriam Margolyes makes her DocFest debut, reflecting on truth-telling across her long career
📢 Oscar-winning director Andrea Arnold offers a rare insight into her creative process
📢 Chris Packham reflects on his career-defining programmes in conversation with the BBC
📢 A one-off celebration of Sir David Attenborough at 100 brings together leading filmmakers and activists to reflect on an extraordinary legacy
📢 PLUS: introducing GEN DocFest, a brand new strand for families, and its first event ‘A Thoroughly Horrible Morning’, featuring the cast of Horrible Histories and Horrible Science

📅 10 - 15 June, Sheffield

TICKETS
🎟️ Our Members pre-sale is live now for 24 hours (until 09:59 BST tomorrow)
Become a Member now to access our pre-sale (link in bio)

🎟️ General sale opens at 10AM BST tomorrow (Thursday 9 April) - via the link in bio

This is just the beginning - our full programme will be launched later this month!

Let us know who are you most excited to see at Sheffield DocFest this year! 👇

In partnership with:
@britishfilminstitute
@visitsheffield
@aceagrams

Image credits
Top left: Paul Husband / Jennifer Charlton
Centre: Craig Fleming
Top right: Supplied by Zinc
Middle right: Susannah Baker-Smith
Bottom right: Supplied by BBC
Bottom left: Supplied by BBC
Middle left: Supplied by BBC Studios

SHEFFIELD DOCFEST 2026: FIRST LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT 🎬

We’re delighted to announce the first programme highlights for Sheffield DocFest 2026, under this year’s programme title ‘Realities in Motion’!

📢 Maxine Peake is our Guest of Honour, curating her own strand and leading a vital conversation on working class representation and concepts of ‘Britishness’
📢 Miriam Margolyes makes her DocFest debut, reflecting on truth-telling across her long career
📢 Oscar-winning director Andrea Arnold offers a rare insight into her creative process
📢 Chris Packham reflects on his career-defining programmes in conversation with the BBC
📢 A one-off celebration of Sir David Attenborough at 100 brings together leading filmmakers and activists to reflect on an extraordinary legacy
📢 PLUS: introducing GEN DocFest, a brand new strand for families, and its first event ‘A Thoroughly Horrible Morning’, featuring the cast of Horrible Histories and Horrible Science

📅 10 - 15 June, Sheffield

TICKETS
🎟️ Our Members pre-sale is live now for 24 hours (until 09:59 BST tomorrow)
Become a Member now to access our pre-sale (link in bio)

🎟️ General sale opens at 10AM BST tomorrow (Thursday 9 April) - via the link in bio

This is just the beginning - our full programme will be launched later this month!

Let us know who are you most excited to see at Sheffield DocFest this year! 👇

In partnership with:
@britishfilminstitute
@visitsheffield
@aceagrams

Image credits
Top left: Paul Husband / Jennifer Charlton
Centre: Craig Fleming
Top right: Supplied by Zinc
Middle right: Susannah Baker-Smith
Bottom right: Supplied by BBC
Bottom left: Supplied by BBC
Middle left: Supplied by BBC Studios

SHEFFIELD DOCFEST 2026: FIRST LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT 🎬

We’re delighted to announce the first programme highlights for Sheffield DocFest 2026, under this year’s programme title ‘Realities in Motion’!

📢 Maxine Peake is our Guest of Honour, curating her own strand and leading a vital conversation on working class representation and concepts of ‘Britishness’
📢 Miriam Margolyes makes her DocFest debut, reflecting on truth-telling across her long career
📢 Oscar-winning director Andrea Arnold offers a rare insight into her creative process
📢 Chris Packham reflects on his career-defining programmes in conversation with the BBC
📢 A one-off celebration of Sir David Attenborough at 100 brings together leading filmmakers and activists to reflect on an extraordinary legacy
📢 PLUS: introducing GEN DocFest, a brand new strand for families, and its first event ‘A Thoroughly Horrible Morning’, featuring the cast of Horrible Histories and Horrible Science

📅 10 - 15 June, Sheffield

TICKETS
🎟️ Our Members pre-sale is live now for 24 hours (until 09:59 BST tomorrow)
Become a Member now to access our pre-sale (link in bio)

🎟️ General sale opens at 10AM BST tomorrow (Thursday 9 April) - via the link in bio

This is just the beginning - our full programme will be launched later this month!

Let us know who are you most excited to see at Sheffield DocFest this year! 👇

In partnership with:
@britishfilminstitute
@visitsheffield
@aceagrams

Image credits
Top left: Paul Husband / Jennifer Charlton
Centre: Craig Fleming
Top right: Supplied by Zinc
Middle right: Susannah Baker-Smith
Bottom right: Supplied by BBC
Bottom left: Supplied by BBC
Middle left: Supplied by BBC Studios

💛 We’re so excited to welcome Sheffield’s-own award-winning journalist @charliewebster to DocFest this year - for an exclusive live launch and immersive listen of her new @audible_uk Original podcast, as part of our Podcast Live programme!

At the event, you’ll get an exclusive first listen of Charlie’s latest project, and she’ll take you behind-the-scenes of one of the strangest stories she’s ever told.

📅 Saturday 14 June / Lyceum Theatre / 17:00
🎟️ Don’t miss out - grab your tickets now at the link in our bio!

👆 Hear from Charlie about what it means to be part of our lineup this year

Charlie Webster is an award-winning broadcaster, journalist, writer/producer, and documentarian. She created the viral podcast Scamanda, #1 globally and the most downloaded podcast of 2023, which she adapted into a four-part docuseries with ABC News that went straight to #1 on both ABC and Hulu, becoming ABC News Studios’ most-streamed series launch to date. The series has received two Emmy nominations, including Outstanding True Crime.

Her narrative podcast Unicorn Girl, produced under her own label Seven Hills for Apple TV, launched in August 2025 going straight to #1 globally and became Apple’s most downloaded and most successful Original podcast. Charlie is now developing Unicorn Girl as a television series.

A very happy 100th birthday @davidattenborough 🥳

We’ve delved into the archives to revisit this fantastic former Sheffield mural of Sir David which was created by @rocket01.co.uk for @sheffdocfest back in 2012.

Sadly it’s no longer there, but @sheffdocfest are celebrating Sir David Attenborough’s extraordinary career once again, with a special event at this year’s festival.

The conversation event will bring together leading voices including @chrisgpackham2 @lizziedalywild and @gordonbuchanan_wildlife to reflect on his remarkable legacy and explore how it continues to shape the future of environmental storytelling and activism.

This special @sheffdocfest event takes place on Saturday 13 June at the Lyceum Theatre.

🎨 Mural by artist @rocket01.co.uk
📸 Original photo by the late @shaunbloodworth

#sheffield #mural #davidattenborough #streetarteverywhere #sheffdocfest

A very happy 100th birthday @davidattenborough 🥳

We’ve delved into the archives to revisit this fantastic former Sheffield mural of Sir David which was created by @rocket01.co.uk for @sheffdocfest back in 2012.

Sadly it’s no longer there, but @sheffdocfest are celebrating Sir David Attenborough’s extraordinary career once again, with a special event at this year’s festival.

The conversation event will bring together leading voices including @chrisgpackham2 @lizziedalywild and @gordonbuchanan_wildlife to reflect on his remarkable legacy and explore how it continues to shape the future of environmental storytelling and activism.

This special @sheffdocfest event takes place on Saturday 13 June at the Lyceum Theatre.

🎨 Mural by artist @rocket01.co.uk
📸 Original photo by the late @shaunbloodworth

#sheffield #mural #davidattenborough #streetarteverywhere #sheffdocfest

🎂 Happy 100th Birthday, Sir David Attenborough - winning birthday card revealed!

📣 In partnership with @shefflibraries, we invited young artists across South Yorkshire to design a birthday card to mark Sir David’s incredible milestone - and you absolutely delivered!

We then asked filmmaker, climate activist and @natgeo Explorer @aliceaedy to undertake the wonderful task of selecting 10 finalists and one overall winner from all of your beautiful entries.

🏆 We are now delighted to reveal our winner! A HUGE congratulations to Charlotte, age 13, from Doncaster! @char.lott2012

Here’s what Alice had to say about Charlotte’s design:
“Charlotte’s work stopped me in my tracks. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. My eye keeps returning to it to discover new layers and details, and what makes me smile is that it puts Sir David exactly where I imagine he would love to be - not on a pedestal, but surrounded by the living world, equal to all the animal species he has spent his life trying to protect.”

And on judging the competition: “Most likely… the best job I’ve ever had?? (I’m) Overwhelmed with the quality and creativity of the submissions - and tributes to Sir David.”

Keep your eyes peeled as we reveal the full top ten birthday cards very soon!

🎟️ Charlotte and our 10 finalists have all won a pair of tickets to events in Sheffield DocFest 2026’s brand new GEN DocFest children and family programme, and Charlotte’s winning design will be presented at the festival itself!

Thank you to every young artist who entered 🌿🎨🦁

Happy 100th Birthday Sir David Attenborough!

📅 The @climate__spring Digital-First Pitch deadline is fast approaching - and we are delighted to announce three of this year’s wonderful judging panel, with one additional judge to be announced!

The panel will include:
⭐️ Alice Aedy @aliceaedy - Filmmaker, Nat Geo Explorer, CoFounder Earthrise
⭐️ Ben Zand @benjaminzand - Founder and CEO of Zandland
⭐️ Sam Pearson - Executive Producer, Heart Canvas

🌍 Do you have a bold unscripted idea that explores climate solutions, system change or the power of community? Then listen up!

📣 You have until 1pm on Monday 11th May to submit a high-impact short-form documentary formats specifically designed for digital platforms to Climate Spring.

🤩 Four shortlisted creatives will pitch their idea live at Sheffield DocFest in front of our amazing panel, with one winner receiving £10k production funding plus expert narrative consultation from Climate Spring.

🌿 Get the full details and apply by 1pm on Monday 11th May at the link in our bio 🔗👆

📅 The @climate__spring Digital-First Pitch deadline is fast approaching - and we are delighted to announce three of this year’s wonderful judging panel, with one additional judge to be announced!

The panel will include:
⭐️ Alice Aedy @aliceaedy - Filmmaker, Nat Geo Explorer, CoFounder Earthrise
⭐️ Ben Zand @benjaminzand - Founder and CEO of Zandland
⭐️ Sam Pearson - Executive Producer, Heart Canvas

🌍 Do you have a bold unscripted idea that explores climate solutions, system change or the power of community? Then listen up!

📣 You have until 1pm on Monday 11th May to submit a high-impact short-form documentary formats specifically designed for digital platforms to Climate Spring.

🤩 Four shortlisted creatives will pitch their idea live at Sheffield DocFest in front of our amazing panel, with one winner receiving £10k production funding plus expert narrative consultation from Climate Spring.

🌿 Get the full details and apply by 1pm on Monday 11th May at the link in our bio 🔗👆

✨ We’re so excited to announce that this year’s Opening Night film is We, The Hated ✨

This intimate portrait of Just Stop Oil protestors asks what it really costs to take a stand in a supposedly democratic society.

Told through the lives of those on the frontline, our Opening Night selection turns its camera on the people behind one of the most polarising protest movements in recent memory. What emerges is deeper than placards and road blocks: these are individuals who have weighed up the personal consequences of action against the existential stakes of inaction. With fossil fuels driving both the climate crisis and global conflict, and governments increasingly cracking down on dissent, the film raises urgent questions about protest, power, and what democracy actually means in practice.

🎟 (Industry Only- Tickets available now) We’re thrilled to welcome director Rich Felgate for our opening night screening at the Lyceum, where he’ll join us for a conversation following the film. (10 June)

Industry pass holders can now book their spot for opening night!

🎟 (Public Screening) There will also be a public screening of the film on our opening night (10 June)

🎟 (Public Screening) On 11 June Director Rich Felgate will join us for a post screening Q+A at the Curzon Cinema in Sheffield

Secure your spot by heading to the link in our bio ☝️

Thinking of submitting an idea to the Climate Spring Digital-First Pitch at Sheffield DocFest?

📋 Make sure you do these five things first!

🔗 Find the full brief on our website via the link in our bio.

#ClimateAction #ClimateStories #ClimateNarratvies #NarrativeChange #ArtsandEntertainment

We are thrilled to announce the cohort and Guest Mentor for this year’s expanded Filmmaker Challenge, supported by Principal Sponsor Prime Video Pathway 🎬✨

👋Meet this year’s filmmakers:

📍 YORKSHIRE: Olivia Hird, Keeley Lane, Katrina Lehismae, Jashan Walton

📍 WALES: Liam Martin, Vicky Morton, Cristian Saavedra, Michael Kendrick Williams

📍 CORNWALL: Alex Fish, Lucy M Mainstone, Lorraine Molloy, Nick J Winchester

Find out more about them at the link in our bio! 👆🔗

Plus - we are delighted to announce @alexthomasfilms , BAFTA Breakthrough and double Grierson Award-winning director, as our Guest Mentor this year!

📅Join us at the festival for a screening of the finished films + Q&A with the filmmakers and Alex Thomas, and see Sheffield through the eyes of our exciting new talents! Book your tickets now at the link in our bio 👆🔗

Returning for its largest edition to date, the 2026 Filmmaker Challenge expands beyond Sheffield for the first time, supporting twice as many filmmakers across three regions in the UK. Twelve filmmakers from Yorkshire, Cornwall and Wales - four selected from each region - will each create a 3 minute non-fiction film in and around one of the three locations, under the guidance of experienced mentors, and supported with dedicated equipment and industry access to this year’s festival.

For the first time, selected filmmakers will be invited to take part in a three-day residential workshop in May, exploring aspects of the filmmaking journey from idea development to distribution strategies.

Our Guest Mentor Alex Thomas will mentor the cohort of talents to develop their short films, from inception of their ideas in response to the 2026 theme Realities in Motion, to providing feedback during production and editing via filmmaker 1-2-1s, to the shorts’ showcase at the 33rd edition of Sheffield DocFest.

Working to a tight deadline, the filmmakers will create their films over five days, with filming taking place in a single day. The finished documentaries will be presented at a public screening at Sheffield DocFest on Saturday 13 June alongside the Guest Mentor and festival representatives.

Supported by @primevideo Pathway.

We are thrilled to announce the cohort and Guest Mentor for this year’s expanded Filmmaker Challenge, supported by Principal Sponsor Prime Video Pathway 🎬✨

👋Meet this year’s filmmakers:

📍 YORKSHIRE: Olivia Hird, Keeley Lane, Katrina Lehismae, Jashan Walton

📍 WALES: Liam Martin, Vicky Morton, Cristian Saavedra, Michael Kendrick Williams

📍 CORNWALL: Alex Fish, Lucy M Mainstone, Lorraine Molloy, Nick J Winchester

Find out more about them at the link in our bio! 👆🔗

Plus - we are delighted to announce @alexthomasfilms , BAFTA Breakthrough and double Grierson Award-winning director, as our Guest Mentor this year!

📅Join us at the festival for a screening of the finished films + Q&A with the filmmakers and Alex Thomas, and see Sheffield through the eyes of our exciting new talents! Book your tickets now at the link in our bio 👆🔗

Returning for its largest edition to date, the 2026 Filmmaker Challenge expands beyond Sheffield for the first time, supporting twice as many filmmakers across three regions in the UK. Twelve filmmakers from Yorkshire, Cornwall and Wales - four selected from each region - will each create a 3 minute non-fiction film in and around one of the three locations, under the guidance of experienced mentors, and supported with dedicated equipment and industry access to this year’s festival.

For the first time, selected filmmakers will be invited to take part in a three-day residential workshop in May, exploring aspects of the filmmaking journey from idea development to distribution strategies.

Our Guest Mentor Alex Thomas will mentor the cohort of talents to develop their short films, from inception of their ideas in response to the 2026 theme Realities in Motion, to providing feedback during production and editing via filmmaker 1-2-1s, to the shorts’ showcase at the 33rd edition of Sheffield DocFest.

Working to a tight deadline, the filmmakers will create their films over five days, with filming taking place in a single day. The finished documentaries will be presented at a public screening at Sheffield DocFest on Saturday 13 June alongside the Guest Mentor and festival representatives.

Supported by @primevideo Pathway.

Join us this May half-term for the Big Sheffield Build! ⚒🏠

The National Videogame Museum have teamed up with @sheffdocfest and Minecraft Artist Adam Clarke to create Sheffield in Minecraft, block by block 🟥🟪, and we need your help to build it!

Grab your pickaxe ⛏Choose your blocks 🟩 and build your favourite place in Sheffield, past, present or future!

The final co-built world, titled ‘Sheffield of Stories’, will be presented as the centrepiece of Sheffield DocFest’s FREE Alternative Realities Exhibition (10-15 June), hosted at Yorkshire Artspace. The exhibition will explore the creative possibilities of gaming worlds.

Join us for the Big Sheffield Build and add your mark to our Sheffield-inspired Minecraft world.

🗓 23rd - 31st May
📍National Videogame Museum, Angel Street, Sheffield

🔗 Book your tickets now. Link in our bio

Find out more about the Alternative Realities Exhibition and the full DocFest Programme via @sheffdocfest.

#SheffDocFest26 #NVM #SheffieldofStories #BigSheffBuild #minecraft

Join us this May half-term for the Big Sheffield Build! ⚒🏠

The National Videogame Museum have teamed up with @sheffdocfest and Minecraft Artist Adam Clarke to create Sheffield in Minecraft, block by block 🟥🟪, and we need your help to build it!

Grab your pickaxe ⛏Choose your blocks 🟩 and build your favourite place in Sheffield, past, present or future!

The final co-built world, titled ‘Sheffield of Stories’, will be presented as the centrepiece of Sheffield DocFest’s FREE Alternative Realities Exhibition (10-15 June), hosted at Yorkshire Artspace. The exhibition will explore the creative possibilities of gaming worlds.

Join us for the Big Sheffield Build and add your mark to our Sheffield-inspired Minecraft world.

🗓 23rd - 31st May
📍National Videogame Museum, Angel Street, Sheffield

🔗 Book your tickets now. Link in our bio

Find out more about the Alternative Realities Exhibition and the full DocFest Programme via @sheffdocfest.

#SheffDocFest26 #NVM #SheffieldofStories #BigSheffBuild #minecraft

Join us this May half-term for the Big Sheffield Build! ⚒🏠

The National Videogame Museum have teamed up with @sheffdocfest and Minecraft Artist Adam Clarke to create Sheffield in Minecraft, block by block 🟥🟪, and we need your help to build it!

Grab your pickaxe ⛏Choose your blocks 🟩 and build your favourite place in Sheffield, past, present or future!

The final co-built world, titled ‘Sheffield of Stories’, will be presented as the centrepiece of Sheffield DocFest’s FREE Alternative Realities Exhibition (10-15 June), hosted at Yorkshire Artspace. The exhibition will explore the creative possibilities of gaming worlds.

Join us for the Big Sheffield Build and add your mark to our Sheffield-inspired Minecraft world.

🗓 23rd - 31st May
📍National Videogame Museum, Angel Street, Sheffield

🔗 Book your tickets now. Link in our bio

Find out more about the Alternative Realities Exhibition and the full DocFest Programme via @sheffdocfest.

#SheffDocFest26 #NVM #SheffieldofStories #BigSheffBuild #minecraft

Join us this May half-term for the Big Sheffield Build! ⚒🏠

The National Videogame Museum have teamed up with @sheffdocfest and Minecraft Artist Adam Clarke to create Sheffield in Minecraft, block by block 🟥🟪, and we need your help to build it!

Grab your pickaxe ⛏Choose your blocks 🟩 and build your favourite place in Sheffield, past, present or future!

The final co-built world, titled ‘Sheffield of Stories’, will be presented as the centrepiece of Sheffield DocFest’s FREE Alternative Realities Exhibition (10-15 June), hosted at Yorkshire Artspace. The exhibition will explore the creative possibilities of gaming worlds.

Join us for the Big Sheffield Build and add your mark to our Sheffield-inspired Minecraft world.

🗓 23rd - 31st May
📍National Videogame Museum, Angel Street, Sheffield

🔗 Book your tickets now. Link in our bio

Find out more about the Alternative Realities Exhibition and the full DocFest Programme via @sheffdocfest.

#SheffDocFest26 #NVM #SheffieldofStories #BigSheffBuild #minecraft

Join us this May half-term for the Big Sheffield Build! ⚒🏠

The National Videogame Museum have teamed up with @sheffdocfest and Minecraft Artist Adam Clarke to create Sheffield in Minecraft, block by block 🟥🟪, and we need your help to build it!

Grab your pickaxe ⛏Choose your blocks 🟩 and build your favourite place in Sheffield, past, present or future!

The final co-built world, titled ‘Sheffield of Stories’, will be presented as the centrepiece of Sheffield DocFest’s FREE Alternative Realities Exhibition (10-15 June), hosted at Yorkshire Artspace. The exhibition will explore the creative possibilities of gaming worlds.

Join us for the Big Sheffield Build and add your mark to our Sheffield-inspired Minecraft world.

🗓 23rd - 31st May
📍National Videogame Museum, Angel Street, Sheffield

🔗 Book your tickets now. Link in our bio

Find out more about the Alternative Realities Exhibition and the full DocFest Programme via @sheffdocfest.

#SheffDocFest26 #NVM #SheffieldofStories #BigSheffBuild #minecraft

We are delighted to reveal the judges for the Whickers Podcast Pitch Award 2026 🎙️

In partnership with @sheffdocfest, this year’s panel brings together three outstanding voices from across the audio industry:

✨ Mohit Bakaya (Controller BBC Radio 4 & Director BBC Speech Audio)

✨ Kent DePinto (Director of Original Content, Audible UK)

✨ Eleanor McDowall (Director, Falling Tree Productions)

Together, they bring a wealth of experience across commissioning, production, storytelling and distribution …. supporting the next generation of podcast creators.

Join us live at @sheffdocfest to see the finalists pitch their projects 🎧

⭐ Saturday 13th June, 10am-12pm
⭐ Crucible Playhouse, Sheffield

Read more about our judges in the full news story on our website. See link in bio

@bbcradio4 @audible @audible_uk @fallingtreeproductions

#Whickers #PodcastPitch #SheffieldDocFest #AudioStorytelling #PodcastCommunity #DocumentaryAudio #BBC #Audible #RadioProduction #podcastprize