Forever Is Now will screen at Sheffield DocFest (Credit: Courtesy of Sheffield DocFest)
Sheffield DocFest, the UK’s leading documentary festival, has announced its full 2026 public festival programme, bringing over 100 events to the city from 10-15 June.
The festival will offer the chance to see highly anticipated world, international, European and UK premieres of the latest documentaries before they reach cinemas, public broadcasters and streaming services.
The programme celebrates the best in non-fiction storytelling across multiple platforms, including documentary features, shorts, docuseries, podcast live events, immersive and extended reality exhibitions, talks, masterclasses and more.
Across 80 feature films and 24 shorts, there will be first-look screenings from the likes of the BBC, Channel 4, HBO, Netflix, Sky, Universal, Prime Video, Mindhouse, Passion Pictures and Tigerlily World of Wonder.
This year’s selection is curated from over 2,900 submissions and includes 45 world premieres, 17 international premieres, five European premieres and 35 UK premieres from 64 countries.
Events will take place in “iconic venues and unusual spaces” throughout Sheffield, with screenings at The Showroom, The Light and Curzon cinemas; talks at The Lyceum, The Montgomery, The Crucible Playhouse and Crucible Adelphi; and Alternate Realities programme at Yorkshire Artspace: Persistence Works.
Unifying themes of this year’s selections, talks, and industry sessions are Journalism & Freedom of the Press; Activism & Storytelling; Artificial Intelligence; Indigenous Voices; Games & Play; Climate Crisis & Environmental Justice; Queer Narratives; Archival Work & Historical Memory; and Content for Young Audiences.
Raul Niño Zambrano, creative director, Sheffield DocFest, said: “In 2026, we are navigating a world defined by both profound uncertainty and constant transformation.
“Our theme, Realities in Motion, captures this momentum, reflecting how our lives are continually reshaped by collective action, from climate advocacy and social activism to the enduring power of music.
“Whether through features, shorts, TV episodes, podcasts, games, talks, or immersive XR experiences, we have curated a programme that celebrates the full spectrum of documentary storytelling.
“I am deeply grateful to our advisors, consultants, and the entire DocFest team for their tireless work in building a balanced, inclusive programme designed to spark deep curiosity and meaningful dialogue. We can’t wait to share it with our international audience.”
Sheffield DocFest showcases “bold, vivid and socially conscious work from artists and filmmakers from all over the world, inspiring fresh perspectives, challenging conventional thought and inviting audiences to consider alternate realities”, it said.
Alongside First Impressions – a sneak peek at major upcoming docuseries – this year’s film strands are Debates – films that invite us to be part of vital conversations; Journeys – defining journeys from the emotional to the physical; Memories – exploring the past to inform our present and future; People and Community – celebrating and interrogating the ties that bind us; Rebellions – stories of resistance, revolution and the fight for our rights; and Rhythms – from everyday beats to the music that defines.
The full programme is available on the Sheffield DocFest website.