New Terrains: Sheffield DocFest 2026 - Call for Applications

New Terrains: Sheffield DocFest 2026 - Call for Applications

Dates of travel: 10 – 14 June 2026

The BFI Doc Society Fund is accepting applications from Black and Global Majority independent UK documentary directors and producers (film and immersive) with active projects in development, to take part in a delegation to Sheffield DocFest 2026.

Selected participants will have access to the public and industry programme of the festival, with the opportunity to meet potential national and international collaborators, explore co-production opportunities, be introduced to the festival's MeetMarket, and attend various networking events. Taking part in this attendance will help delegates to build relationships with potential partners, funders and buyers, and to establish and progress project and career opportunities.


For selected UK participants, BFI Doc Society will cover the following costs:

  • 4 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast (Wed 10 - Sun 14 June)
  • Return travel within the UK (train/coach travel only, with exception of delegates travelling from Northern Ireland and outside of mainland UK)
  • DocFest Industry accreditation
  • One group dinner

To be eligible to apply, you must:

  • Be a director or producer working in the UK screen sector on a freelance basis; or in a small to medium sized enterprise (SME) that is not substantially owned by a non-UK entity, broadcaster, streamer or studio
  • Be a UK resident
  • Be over the age of 18 and not in full time education.
  • Identify as from a Black or Global Majority background 
  • Have directed or produced at least one short film or immersive project which enjoyed a significant international festival run 
  • Be actively working on a feature-length non-fiction film intended for theatrical release, or ambitious non-fiction Immersive project. (If you also have active short film projects, we are keen to hear about them.) 
  • Please read the full FAQ here. 

For a majority of places on this delegation, we will prioritise applicants who have not previously attended the DocFest industry programme and market.


Please follow this link to apply. The deadline to apply is 10am GMT, Monday 16 March 2026.


Please contact sanne@docsociety.org if you have questions about this opportunity.