CPH:DOX 2025

European Film Promotion (EFP) and CPH:DOX announced March 4 the launch of EUROPE! On Demand, a new initiative designed to boost the visibility of European documentaries in the North American market. The online showcase, jointly curated by EFP and the programming team at CPH:DOX, presents a hand-picked selection of seven outstanding European documentaries and world premieres from this year's line-up to U.S. buyers and distributors.

More than 200 new films representing different stories from across the globe: a record number of 94 world premieres, 23 international premieres and 8 European premieres are featured in this year's festival. Running from March 19-30, CPH:DOX introduces a new thematic section in 2025, focusing on human rights and the rules-based international order - Right Here, Right Now.

The renowned artist and activist Ai Weiwei will present his latest doc ‘Animality’ and will engage in a discussion on the intersection of art and activism. Israeli architect Eyal Weizman will speak after the screening of 'Rule of Stone' which reveals how architecture has been used as a tool of control and displacement since Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem in 1967. The INTER:ACTIVE line-up is presented under the theme of Untamed: Humanity Rewilded, and promises a “provocative and immersive experience that urges audiences to reimagine humanity’s role within the natural world.”

Presented in partnership with Documentary Campus, CPH:CONFERENCE will take place this year from March 24-28, bringing together a “stellar” line-up of filmmakers, industry leaders, and visionaries, including Christo Grozev, James Jones, Alexis Bloom, Kate Townsend, Sam Soko, Mstyslav Chernov, Nathan Grossman and many more.

The selection includes 71 films in competition, featuring 56 world premieres, 12 international premieres, and 3 European premieres. “It is very exciting to share a competition line up that truly represents documentary as an art form made for the cinema. CPH:DOX is about celebrating documentaries and the people who make them, and programming this year’s festival has been a journey rich with discoveries,” says Mads K. Mikkelsen, Head of Program of CPH:DOX.

CPH:DOX and Kunsthal Charlottenborg, one of Denmark’s most prominent art institutions, together Human Rights Watch Denmark and the Frececo Foundation, will collaborate in 2025 to promote human rights via an exhibition, a thematic film program, as well as talks and panels. "Through documentary films, art, conversation, and debate, CPH:DOX and Kunsthal Charlottenborg have both the credibility and the platform to communicate human rights through real people and lived experiences,” says Niklas Engstrøm, Artistic Director of CPH:DOX.

The 2025 edition of CPH:FORUM, CPH:DOX’s flagship financing and co-pro event, will bring together 75 directors and producers representing 26 countries who will present 30 new documentary projects spanning early to late development and production. “We hope for this edition to be a space for community and dialogue - that demonstrates the power of documentary,” says Mara Gourd-Mercado, Head of Industry & Training.

The 20 international delegations include the Baghdad Film Institute and Basque Audiovisual. INTRO:DOX guest speakers to include Martijn te Pas, programmer and documentary consultant from e u R O P E doconsultancy; Kim Christiansen, Executive Producer of Documentaries and Co-productions at DR Sales, and Jane Mote, editorial consultant for The Whickers.