Nick Cunningham

Out of Competition Non-fiction section includes new documentaries by Wim Wenders, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi/Jimmy Chin, Amos Gitai, Barbara Kopple, Sergei Loznitsa and Victor Kossakovsky. Six ‘films on films’ are also selected, alongside the short films Wild Asparagus by Avi Mograbi and They’re Here by Laura Poitras and Rachel Mueller Films, the latter described as a horror/documentary focussing on the ICE interventions and protests in Minneapolis. Five docs are further selected for Venice sidebar, Giornate degli Autori.

This year’s Competition Programme – Documentary Film selection, made once more by Rada Šešić, comprises 22 films from 305 submissions, of which 13 are feature-length and eight are short documentaries, plus one feature-length film screening Out of Competition. Nine of the films are world premieres, four are international premieres, and eight are regional premieres.

Submissions for the 29th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival (March 4-14 2027) are now open. TiDF is one of the most important documentary festivals in Europe and an Oscars® documentary feature qualifying event, celebrating the art of documentary via a rich program of films, events, initiatives and its Agora Doc Market, the hub for film professionals.

The 2026 edition, running 18-22 September, presents 52 doc projects, gathering both renowned and emerging directors and producers from the Nordic and Baltic regions. “This year’s Forum and Work In Progress selection once again proves the remarkable scope and quality of contemporary Nordic documentary cinema,” says Lena Nitsch, Forum Manager. “The projects show a range of experience from the deeply personal to the profoundly global while looking at their subjects through a critical lens and with commitment to democratic discourse.”

The Documentary Association of Europe co-founder and Exec Director will step aside from programming and curation duties, but will continue to play both admin and finance roles, as well as remain on the Executive Board. DAE will furthermore create a new role of Programme Director, for which applications are currently being sought. “It is a great moment for fresh ideas, energy and vision to join us in the association,” O’Shea posted to association members July 20. “I will be around to ease transition and provide guidance where I can, while respecting the autonomy and vision of the next generation.” 

The longlists span 15 programme categories, reflecting the best stand-alone documentaries and series launched across broadcaster channels, streamers and online, as well as theatrical. The awards furthermore “form the centrepiece of the Grierson Trust’s year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of John Grierson first coining the term ‘documentary’ when discussing filmmaking,” the organisation underlines. The awards ceremony will take place November 10 at London’s Roundhouse, London.

Guardian Documentaries and arte.tv have joined forces to support filmmakers making documentary shorts, exploring the theme of Democracy at Stake in Europe. Announced at Sheffield DocFest, the initiative invites filmmakers from across Europe to pitch character-led short documentaries examining the challenges facing democratic societies today. The deadline for submissions is September 14.

Directed by Farid Ahmad, a 2022 Berlinale Talent, Waiting for Winter is produced by Noyakar Productions (Bangladesh) and House on Fire (France) and receives World Cinema Fund support of €25,000. Of the nine funding recommendations, made from 373 submitted projects from a total of 75 countries, Waiting for Winter is the sole doc recipient. Total funding amounts to €365,000 euros.

The 21st edition of the Sole Luna Doc Film Festival has concluded with the Best Documentary and Audience Awards going to Dea Gjinovci for The Beauty of the Donkey. Hidden by Monika Kotecka received the Best Director Award, while the Best Editing Award was presented to Do You Love Me by Lana Daher, which retraces the history of Lebanon through archival footage and personal home videos.

NLWave returns September 30 to October 2 2026 with a curated selection of upcoming documentaries from the Netherlands, as well as feature films and animation. Following the successful first edition of the Dutch film showcase in 2025, first doc selections for this year’s roll-out include new projects by Renzo Martens, Aliona van der Horst, Suzanne Raes and Menno Otten. “Each of these filmmakers brings a distinct voice and a strong track record, reflecting the depth and ambition of this year’s line-up,” organisers write.