Submissions for the 41st DOK.fest München are now open, with organisers looking for “stirring, moving, curious, impressive and relevant documentary films,“ both international and national. From 6 to 17 May 2026, the selected documentary films will be presented in Munich cinemas and special venues, and from 11 to 24 May 2026, they will be shown exclusively @home on the festival‘s digital screen throughout Germany.
In addition to the three core DOK.fest-VIKTORIAs, 13 other prizes will be awarded.
DOK.fest München Film Programme
Organisers of the 41st DOK.fest München are looking for national and international documentary films with a minimum length of 52 minutes, which were completed after 1 January 2025 and have neither been shown regularly in cinemas in Germany, nor broadcast on German television, nor made freely available on any streaming provider. Preference will be given to premieres. Submission deadline: 15 December 2025. Regulations, further information and film submission
DOK.education Film Literacy Programme
For the school programme of DOK.education the festival is seeking films by professional filmmakers (10–30 minutes) that tell strong stories for and about children and young people (aged 6 to 19) in an artistic and creative way. The films may already have been broadcast and shown on other platforms. Submission for DOK.education is free of charge. Submission deadline: 15 December 2025, Regulations and further information
Student Award (by invitation only)
The Student Award presents outstanding documentary films by students from German-speaking film schools and academies. All students from our partner universities are invited to submit their films. The films selected for the competition are nominated for the megaherz Student Award, endowed with 3.000 euros. In addition to classic formats, the Student Award is also looking forward to submissions of innovative, experimental and hybrid formats of any length. Submission for students is free of charge. Submission deadline: 15 December 2025. Regulations and further information
German Documentary Film Music Award
The German Documentary Film Music Award, endowed with 5.000 euros, honours film compositions that connect with the documentary narrative in a special way. Composers and filmmakers are invited to submit their original compositions for a current feature-length documentary film from the German-speaking countries. Submission for the German Documentary Film Music Award is free of charge. Submission deadline: 2 February 2026. Regulations and further information
VFF Documentary Production Award
Unique in Germany, the VFF Documentary Production Award, endowed with 7.500 euros, honours the role of production in the creation of documentary feature films. Producers are cordially invited to submit their current documentary films. The award is donated by the VFF Verwertungsgesellschaft der Film und Fernsehproduzenten mbH. Submission for the VFF Documentary Production Award is free of charge. Submission deadline: 2 February 2026. Regulations and further information
FAQ for the VFF Documentary Film Production Award
VFF Documentary Production Talent Award
This unique award recognises the role of production in the creation of current documentary feature films. The award is donated by the VFF Verwertungsgesellschaft der Film- und Fernsehproduzenten mbH and is endowed with prize money of 3.000 euros. Emerging producers are cordially invited to submit their current documentary films! Submission for the VFF Documentary Production Talent Award is free of charge. Submission deadline: 2 February 2026. Regulations and further information
all inclusive Documentary Film Award
The award, endowed with 5,000 euros, honours documentary film productions in which filmmakers with disabilities play a leading role. The prize is awarded for the inclusive team effort in the realisation of the film. Award donor is the Werksviertel-Mitte Stiftung. Submission for the all inclusive Award is free of charge. Submission deadline: 2 February 2026. Regulations and further information
