Cannes Docs

AJB DOC / AJD INDUSTRY DAYS

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.

CPH:DOX

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 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, series, to new media productions. The main activities are CPH:FORUM, CPH:MARKET, 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 11-22 March, 2026 and its industry events 15-20 March 2026.

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.

DOCSMX

DocsMX, a non-profit organization, is a documentary film platform comprised of four components: exhibition, creation, training and festivals. In 19 years, DocsMX has established itself as a fundamental space for dialogue around non-fiction cinema and has become one of the most important documentary film festivals in Latinamerica, as well as a recognized international reference. More than just a festival, DocsMX is a platform for the exhibition, training, creation, and promotion of documentary cinema.

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 22nd edition of Docudays UA is scheduled for June 6-13, 2025.

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 around 1,900 professionals, providing an inspiring, productive environment that promotes meaningful connections and co-operations. Next edition: 27 Oct – 2 Nov 2025

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

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 presentes 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 31st edition in April 2026. Submissions are free and will open next August.

ENCOUNTERS

For 27 years, Encounters South African International Documentary Festival has been a pivotal event in Cape Town and Johannesburg, celebrating creative documentaries and strengthening the local film industry. Essential for launching the careers of South African filmmakers, the festival also champions African cinema through partnerships like Cannes Docs. More than just a festival, Encounters drives diversity, filmmaker development, and community building, becoming a vital hub for knowledge and industry growth.

FESTIVAL DEI POPOLI

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 66th edition (Florence, 3-9 November 2025) will include: an International Feature Film Competition, an 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

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 29th edition this year between October 24– November 2, 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 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.

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 Talks & Doc Counseling.

VISIONS DU REEL

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. The 57th edition of Visions du Réel will take place from 17 to 26 April 2026.

ZINEBI

The International Festival of Documentary and Short Film of Bilbao – ZINEBI has been accredited by FIAPF since 1974 in the documentary and short film category. It is accredited as a qualifier for the Oscars, BAFTA, Goya Awards and the European Film Awards too. 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 67th edition will take place from November 21 to 28, 2025.