DocsBarcelona has opened its call for submissions for its 30th edition, running 29 April to 9 May 2027. The 30th edition will once again bring together a selection of the best international, Spanish and Catalan documentary cinema, with several competitive sections, special screenings, premieres and a major retrospective.
“For this very special edition, the festival will celebrate three decades as a platform for the discovery and promotion contemporary documentary cinema, connecting films and filmmakers with audiences,” write organisers.
This year, the festival is also increasing its awards package, with nearly €25,000 in cash prizes, post-production services and equipment rentals.
The deadlines for submissions are:
- Documentary short films: until 28 September 2026
- Documentary feature films: until 30 November 2026
- Early bird for feature films: until 2 October 2026
- Click here to submit your film.
The 2027 Festival is made up by the following sections (subject to change):
- Official Competition: competitive section which gathers a selection of the year’s best international documentary films
- Visions: competitive section dedicated to formal risk and new languages of non-fiction.
- Mapa: competitive section which provides an overview of contemporary Spanish and Catalan documentary film.
- Focus: competitive section dedicated to investigative and current-affairs films which examine the present.
- Special Sessions: non-competitive section dedicated to new releases, events and unique screenings.
- Honorary Docs: a retrospective of selected works from the filmography of the filmmaker to whom the Honorary Docs award is presented.
- Official Short Film Competition: competitive section of domestically-produced documentary short films.
- Docs&Teens: cross-disciplinary itinerary tailored for a teenage audience, consisting of films scheduled in other sections of the Festival.
At the end of the 29th DocsBarcelona, held in May 2026, the Best Film Award was handed to Amazomania by Nathan Grossman. The Best Catalan Film – XAL Award went to The Travelers (David Bingong), while the Audience Award – Moritz was won by Corren las liebres (The Hares Run) by Lorena Ros. The Jury Award – Antaviana was won by Atlas de la desaparición by Manuel Correa.
On 20 November, DocsBarcelona Pro will open its call for non-fiction projects at different stages of development, offering opportunities for financing, distribution and training.
