Sheffield DocFest begins today through June 23 with an exciting slate of world premieres, virtual reality experiences and an entire competition section dedicated to first-time feature directors. This year’s line up spans a wide range of countries including Macau, Cuba, Costa Rica, South Korea, Brazil, Azerbeijan, Guatemala, Ecuador, Armenia and India, making it a truly international summit for documentary.
To learn what makes the festival stand out on the international scene, I asked Raul Niño Zambrano who, after working as a senior programmer at IDFA for 14 years, joined Sheffield DocFest in 2022 as Head of Film Programmes and became the festival’s Creative Director in 2023.
Bella: What evolution of the industry have you witnessed in recent years in the UK and Europe?
Raul: There has definitely been a rise in international co-productions, especially in the UK during recent years. At the same time, we are seeing that producers are increasingly stepping in as creative forces, enriching the genre with their vision and collaboration.
Bella: What aspects of the festival make DocFest stand out to you as a vital platform in the field?
Raul: Sheffield DocFest truly stands out as a festival where the public programme and industry offering complement each other. Filmmakers and industry professionals not only get the chance to watch films, but also to connect, network, and engage in meaningful conversations with audiences.
We pride ourselves on being an accessible and easy-to-navigate festival, one that carefully curates its film selections, projects, talks, and professional meetings without becoming overwhelming.
At Sheffield DocFest, you’ll find short films, series, podcasts, installations, immersive and interactive works, and feature-length documentaries, a reflection of the genre’s interdisciplinary nature and the many ways attendees can be inspired and explore new forms of storytelling.
Bella: Describe a few projects that you're excited about in this year's line-up.
Raul: There are too many highlights to name just a few, but I can confidently say our competitions are particularly strong this year. The debut filmmakers in our International First Feature Competition are offering powerful storytelling. Don't miss their work, as we’re already excited to see what they’ll do next.
We’re also incredibly proud to welcome Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato as our Guests of Honour. Their programme offers a series of timely and important conversations, especially in a moment when queer narratives are facing increasing attacks.
Bella: As Creative Director, what's your ambition for this year's festival and its future?
Raul: Our ambition over the past few years has been to showcase the full range of the documentary genre to offer a broad, diverse programme while creating a space that feels recognizably like the right place to launch your film.
See you next issue!
Bella