About Sheffield DocFest
Sheffield DocFest is the UK's leading documentary festival and one of the world's most influential markets for documentary projects. The festival champions and presents the breadth of documentary form – film, television, immersive and art – in the vibrant city of Sheffield each June. DocFest offers makers and audiences a place for inspiration, debate, development, learning and challenge. DocFest's programming represents the festival's core values – creativity, empathy, freedom, inclusivity and internationalism. Over the years, the festival has been held at over 20 other venues acrossHistory
In 1990, Peter Symes of2020
The 27th Sheffield DocFest was due to take place between 4–9 June 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was cancelled in its original form. In November 2019 Cíntia Gil became the new festival director at Sheffield DocFest. Her vision and film programme strands for the 27th edition of Sheffield DocFest were announced in2019
The 26th Sheffield DocFest was held between 6–11 June 2019, and attracted 28,098 public admissions, up 9% from the previous year, along with 3,489 industry delegates from 59 countries. The Festival opened at Sheffield City Hall with a UK premiere of "2018
The 25th Edition of Sheffield DocFest was held between 7–12 June 2018.2017
The 2017 event took place from 9 to 14 June. A record total of 72,146 audiences attended, including 3,397 industry delegates who travelled from 54 countries, 36,008 public audiences, and virtual audiences experiencing the Festival through2016
The 2016 event took place from 10 to 15 June. A total of 32,769 audiences attended, including 3,534 industry delegates who travelled from 60 countries, and 29,235 public audiences, both figures a record increase on 2015. The film programme hosted a record 160 films with 27 world premieres, 15 international, 19 European and a whopping 52 UK premieres from 49 different countries. Audiences were attracted to big filmmaking names from the documentary world including US director Michael Moore – whose film ''2015
The 22nd Festival ran for six days 5–10 June. Over 20 venues were used to host films, sessions, interactive exhibitions and networking events, with the full programme announced on the morning of the general election on 7 May.DocGeeks2014
The Festival expanded from five days to six and for the first time began on a Saturday. Screenings took place across a wider range of more unusual venues in2013
2013 saw a record number of films and delegates. Delegate numbers rose by 18% to 3,129. There were a record 18 international delegations including representatives from2012
2,657 delegates from 67 countries attended the Festival, and general admissions were 20,079. Notable screenings and events included: * The debut of ''From The Sea To The Land Beyond'', a documentary by2011
2011 saw the Festival move from November to June, right off the back of the November 2010 Festival. The Festival opened withAwards
The Sheffield DocFest Awards honour the best documentaries from the DocFest programme, and are judged by industry professionals.Current categories
* Sheffield DocFest Audience Award voted for by audiences, for both Films and Alternate Realities projects. * Grand Jury Prize for excellence in style, substance and approach. The jury is made up of UK and international documentary specialists. * Environmental Award given to the documentary that best addresses or raises awareness of the environmental challenges faces by the world. * Interactive Award for a project that exhibits originality in approach to form, storytelling and delivery. The jury is made up of international film and interactive industry experts. * Tim Hetherington Award presented byPrevious categories
* Inspiration Award, introduced in 2009, which celebrates a figure in the industry who has championed documentary and helped get great work into the public eye. * The In The Dark Sheffield International Audio Award introduced in 2014 to highlight the best in audio documentaries.Vicky FrostWinners
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
The awards were held on 10 June 2015 at the Crucible Theatre.2014
The awards were held on 12 June 2014. For the first time, the award-winning documentary short automatically qualifies for consideration for the2013
The awards were held on 16 June 2013, and presented by2012
The awards were held on 17 June 2012.2011
A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to2010
2009
Films
Sheffield DocFest's film programme showcases international documentaries and new works ofAlternate Realities
Sheffield DocFest runs a number of programmes focused on new media development in interactive and immersive projects andTalks & Sessions
Sheffield DocFest's Talks & Sessions programme features high-profile speakers, industry creatives, and documentary talent in a variety of discussions, large public talks, commissioning question panels, interviews, and showcasing sessions. Past high-profile speakers includeMarketplace & Talent
MeetMarket & Alternate Realities Market
MeetMarket & Alternate Realities Market is a documentary pitching event held at Sheffield DocFest, where filmmakers pitch their project ideas one-on-one to UK and international broadcasters, funders and distributors. Former Festival Director Heather Croall introduced MeetMarket to DocFest in 2006 and developed it as an alternative to public pitching (where filmmakers pitch to a large audience).Michael RosserPitches
The Marketplace plays host to further initiatives, such as pitches and prize competitions. Pitched projects are selected from an open call, cover a range of topics, and offer funding, in-kind support and Festival Pass prizes. Previous pitches include: * TheTraining Initiatives
The Marketplace also holds All Year training initiatives, including Future Producer School. Future Producer School, created by Sheffield DocFest and Bungalow Town Productions, has successfully run every year since its launch in 2014. Aimed at emerging producers currently working in the industry, the primary outcome of Future Producer School is 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. Notable alumni include Eloise King, Julia Nottingham, Lindsey Dryden, and Sky Neal. On-Screen Talent Market is a Sheffield DocFest initiative to connect charismatic subject-specialists with producers, commissioners, and other Decision Makers looking for fresh faces for their programmes. The programme includes an intensive morning training programme giving insight into the industry via first-hand encounters with established professionals, and is designed for the experts to hone their skills in presenting themselves to the media. This is followed by an afternoon of match-made one-to-one meetings between the talent and television executives. The programme is designed and delivered in collaboration with the Academic Ideas Lab. Doc/Dinner allows a group of emerging filmmakers to dine with industry executives to exchange ideas and expertise, hosted by Yates. In 2017, execs from theDelegations
DocFest hosts a number of international and national delegations each year, including delegations from Norway,Social Events & Networking
Each year, DocFest hosts parties and drinks events during theAll Year programme
DocFest activities outside of the five-day festival include: * Films, for example DocFest presents which takes a selection of the Festival's film programme around the UK, and screenings at Latitude Festival. * Alternate Realities Tours across the UK to various venues and Latitude Festival and internationally. In 2017, DocFest toured Latin America with the 'Realidades Alternativas' exhibition. * Talks & Sessions across various film festivals, featuring members of the DocFest staff. * Marketplace & Talent, including ongoing mentoring programme for filmmakers. * Networking events for filmmakers. * A structuredFestival directors
* Liz McIntyre, 2015–present * Heather Croall, 2006–2014 * Brent Woods, 2002–2005 * Kathy Loizou, 1996–2001 * Paula Shirley, 1995 *Festival chairpersons
Alex Cooke (producer) 2019–present (Deputy chair - Brian Woods 2016–present) * Alex Graham, 2011–2019 * Steve Hewlett, 2005–2011 * Christo Hird, 2000–2004 * Roger James, 1997–2000 * Marian Bowan, 1996 * Peter Symes, 1994–1995Board Members
* Peter Armstrong * Patrick Holland * Ralph Lee * Shirani Sabaratnam * Helen Scott * Ian WildReferences
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