Documentaries have their own festival circuit, with events dedicated entirely to nonfiction film. These festivals are where documentaries premiere, where broadcasters and streamers look for new work, and where filmmakers pitch projects, meet co-producers and find financing. General festivals like Sundance and Berlin also program important documentaries, but the specialist festivals below are the heart of the documentary world. If you are making a documentary, or simply love watching them, these are the names to know.
IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)
Where and when: Amsterdam, Netherlands, usually in November.
IDFA is widely regarded as the largest documentary festival in the world, and one of the most influential. Its program is enormous, with competitions for feature length, short, first time and experimental documentaries. Alongside the screenings, IDFA runs a major industry program, including a well known pitching forum where filmmakers present projects to broadcasters and funders, and a market where buyers discover new films. For documentary professionals, IDFA is often the most important week of the year.
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival
Where and when: Toronto, Canada, usually from late April into early May.
Hot Docs is North America’s largest documentary festival. It screens a large international selection to big and enthusiastic public audiences, and its industry side includes a pitching forum and a busy marketplace. For filmmakers targeting North American broadcasters and distributors, Hot Docs is a key stop.
CPH:DOX
Where and when: Copenhagen, Denmark, usually in March.
CPH:DOX has built a reputation as one of the most ambitious documentary festivals in Europe, known for bold programming that crosses into art, science, activism and experimental filmmaking. It also runs a substantial industry program for projects in development.
Sheffield DocFest
Where and when: Sheffield, United Kingdom, usually in June.
Sheffield DocFest is the leading documentary festival in the UK. It combines film screenings with immersive and interactive work, talks and a strong market where filmmakers meet commissioners. Its city center setting gives it a lively, festival wide atmosphere.
Visions du Réel
Where and when: Nyon, Switzerland, usually in April.
One of the oldest documentary festivals in Europe, Visions du Réel is known for adventurous, auteur driven nonfiction cinema. It is a respected launch pad for creative documentaries and has an active industry section.
DOK Leipzig
Where and when: Leipzig, Germany, usually in late October.
DOK Leipzig is one of the oldest festivals for documentary film anywhere, with a long tradition that stretches back to the 1950s. Today it presents documentary and animated film side by side and runs its own co-production market.
True/False Film Fest
Where and when: Columbia, Missouri, United States, usually in late winter or early spring.
True/False is a filmmaker favorite, known for its creative spirit, its focus on artful nonfiction and a community atmosphere that turns the whole town into a festival. It is non competitive, with a strong emphasis on the audience experience.
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Where and when: Durham, North Carolina, United States, usually in spring.
Full Frame is one of the most respected documentary festivals in the United States. It is intimate, walkable and focused on conversation between filmmakers and audiences.
DOC NYC
Where and when: New York City, usually in November.
DOC NYC is a large documentary festival that screens a wide range of feature and short documentaries in New York. Its timing in the autumn means many films screening there are also in the awards conversation.
Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival
Where and when: Yamagata, Japan, held every two years, usually in October.
Yamagata is Asia’s most prominent documentary festival and a key showcase for nonfiction cinema from across the region.
Quick comparison
| Festival | City | Usual timing | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDFA | Amsterdam | November | Size, pitching forum, market |
| Hot Docs | Toronto | Late April to early May | North American industry |
| CPH:DOX | Copenhagen | March | Bold, cross disciplinary programming |
| Sheffield DocFest | Sheffield | June | UK commissioners, immersive work |
| Visions du Réel | Nyon | April | Auteur documentary |
| DOK Leipzig | Leipzig | Late October | Documentary and animation |
| True/False | Columbia, Missouri | Late winter or early spring | Creative nonfiction, community |
| Full Frame | Durham, North Carolina | Spring | Intimate, filmmaker focused |
| DOC NYC | New York | November | Awards season visibility |
| Yamagata | Yamagata | October, every two years | Asian documentary |
How to choose where to submit
- Protect your premiere. The biggest documentary festivals often prefer or require world or international premieres, so plan your first screening carefully.
- Match the festival to your film. An observational, poetic film may suit Visions du Réel or True/False, while an investigative film with broadcast potential may suit Hot Docs or Sheffield.
- Use the industry programs. Pitching forums and markets can be as valuable as a screening, especially for your next project.
- Consider the general festivals too. Sundance, Berlin, Toronto and others have influential documentary sections.
- Check dates every year. Festival dates and submission deadlines change from edition to edition, so always confirm them on the official websites.
For practical advice on making your film, see our guide on how to shoot a documentary, and for the submission process, read how to submit your short film to festivals step by step.