Sheffield DocFest 2026

Sheffield DocFest is the UK's leading documentary festival and one of the most important in the world. Over five days in June, the festival screens around 150 documentary films alongside talks, interactive experiences, and a marketplace where filmmakers pitch new projects. The range is extraordinary — from intimate personal stories to epic investigations, animation to VR experiences. The festival is genuinely accessible and sociable — screenings are followed by Q&As, filmmakers mingle in the festival bar, and the whole event has a community atmosphere. The Alternate Realities strand showcases interactive and immersive documentary work. The marketplace is one of the most important commissioning events for documentaries globally. Sheffield is a great festival city — compact, friendly, and affordable compared to London. The main venues are in the Tudor Square area around the Crucible Theatre. Day passes and individual screening tickets are available. If you love documentaries or are interested in how non-fiction storytelling is evolving, this is the place to be.