Everyone to Sheffield: International Stories Take Centre Stage at DocFest 2026

June means one thing in Sheffield: DocFest is back! And this year, British Council is proud to be a major partner, helping support 26 participants from 11 countries to participate in curated programmes and international works in progress, premiere work in competition, and forge new connections as participants in MeetMarket, DocFest’s sector leading market programme.

It all kicks off 10-15 June and we're excited to see Sheffield become a hub for international documentary visitors!

Now in its 33rd year, Sheffield DocFest returns with a programme that spans 104 films from around the world, alongside podcasts, live events, immersive exhibitions and industry networking opportunities. This year's theme, Realities in Motion, reflects the festival's commitment to showcasing bold new perspectives and innovative storytelling.

International Work in Progress

A highlight of DocFest is its commitment to supporting new work and emerging talent. This year, British Council-backed filmmakers from Bangladesh, India and Palestine will present works-in-progress through dedicated showcases. Curated and delivered by Dhaka DocLab, DocEdge Kolkata and the Palestinian Film Institute. The programmes are all designed to foster international collaboration and connect creators with industry decision-makers.

Innovation and Exchange

British Council is also supporting a range of projects exploring new approaches to storytelling.

Nigerian students and educators from LP House of Creatives will take part in Letter from Across the Channel: Five Years of Transnational Filmmaking and Education, a discussion examining collaborative filmmaking across the UK, Nigeria and Germany. Meanwhile, co-founders of Malaysia’s Freedom Film Network will join critical conversations about the future of human rights film festivals. They are also joined by two Sabah film programme curators - all participants of a programmers' capacity building project supported by British Council Malaysia, developed in partnership with the DocFest programme team.

This year also sees the launch of the Storytelling in Gaming: Challenge Lab, supporting early-career creatives developing innovative interactive projects. British Council-supported participants include Kenya’s TukiwaiT (As We Wait), exploring friendship and digital connection across borders, and India’s RAYSCAPES, an immersive experience inspired by the cinematic world of Satyajit Ray.

Also supported to participate in the Lab will be the team behind Elsewhere in India - an extraordinary live performance and transmedia project weaving BFI archive, new media and electronica into imagined futures for South Asian multicultural heritage. The original version was commissioned by the British Council as part of UK/India Season back in 2022.

Showcasing New International Docs

Through our partnership with Sheffield DocFest, British Council has also had the privilege of supporting several filmmakers to present their work across the festival programme this year, including:

From Mongolia, director Khoroldorj Choijoovanchig will be presenting Colors of White Rock in the International Competition. In the Rebellions programme, Mexican director and activist Lorena Gutiérrez will attend the international premiere of Querida Fátima, her first feature of which she is also a protagonist. From South Africa, directors Adrian Van Wyk and Chris Kets bring their debut feature Notes from the Underground, for its international premiere in DocFest’s Rhythms strand and, selected for the MeetMarket, Sudanese director Ibrahim Omar brings his new hybrid project in development, Holy Eye.

Working with our colleagues in British Council’s Ukraine team, we’re excited to welcome the filmmakers behind International Competition title Time Machine Maiden and Vladyslav Vastlchenko, director of Slavik’s Journey to Forever in official selection at the MeetMarket.

Finally British Council India is supporting co-directors Pankaj Johar and Sunaina Kapoor to make the journey for their International Competition screening of Disciples.

Celebrating Non-Fiction from the UK

Alongside its international programme, Sheffield DocFest remains a key platform for launching new UK documentary productions and co-productions. Highlights include: The Archivist, WOLF, Birds of War, Life Support and All The Rivers Spill Their Stories to the Sea, showcasing the breadth and ambition of documentary filmmaking connected to the UK.

Heading to DocFest?

British Council Film team members Fiona Fletcher and Lisa Brook will be attending the festival and look forward to celebrating this year’s international guests and partners.

Join us at Hygge in Sheffield on Saturday 13 June from 7.15pm for our Meet the International Delegates Reception.

Find out more about the British Council, how we support UK/international collaboration in the screen sector, and (for UK-based filmmakers) our Travel Grant Fund. Fiona will be hosting a table at Switchboard and Consultancies on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 June. DocFest industry delegates can book a spot here.

If you're attending Sheffield DocFest and would like to connect with any of the filmmakers and creators mentioned here, please contact films@britishcouncil.org