The Sheffield DocFest has revealed its 2026 industry program, completing the lineup for its 33rd edition, which is taking place June 10-15, with a promise to “combine urgent global issues and conversations with the practical realities of working in documentary today.”
Events will cover topics ranging from conflict reporting, citizen journalism, inclusivity, accessibility and environmental sustainability to the evolving role of AI and political suppression.
Among a broad lineup of speakers, Nevine Mabro, the BBC’s new head of doc strand Storyville, and Fiona Campbell, the BBC’s director of factual, will discuss their commissioning strategy, while Academy Award-nominated directors Maite Alberdi (The Mole Agent, The Eternal Memory) and Sara Dosa (Time and Water) will give masterclasses. “A behind-the-scenes look at Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards,” a docudrama for U.K. broadcaster 5, is also planned.
This year’s industry lineup for documentary makers consists of 41 sessions, including ones focused on craft on live pitches, as well as the return of the popular Marketplace and Talent Meetings.
“We are creating a unique space where the artistry on screen directly informs the vital industry dialogues of today,” said Raul Nino Zambrano, creative director of Sheffield DocFest. “From deep-dive sessions on activism and emerging technologies to our dedicated Production Hub, we are ensuring that our industry delegates are not just observers, but active participants in the shifting landscape of global documentary
storytelling.”
Added Mimi Poskitt, managing director at the fest: “Sheffield DocFest has always been a center for dazzling creativity, but we are also immensely proud of the role the festival plays in facilitating the business of the industry, whether that’s procuring funding, making deals, or finding the right co-production partners. From our Meetmarket and the vital discussions generated by our highly-targeted expert industry and craft sessions, to welcoming key delegations from across the world, as well as new initiatives bringing the broader factual community together, such as our inaugural Production Hub, we continue to build on this role.”
Take a look at select sessions set for the Sheffield DocFest industry program 2026 below.
Human Rights Film Festivals: From Grassroots to Global (and Back Again)
“Human rights film festivals are facing growing political pressure and shrinking support. This session
explores how grassroots and established models can learn from each other.”
Speakers: Brenda Dankar (Co-Founder, Freedom Film Network – Malaysia) Anna Har (Co-Founder,
Freedom Film Network – Malaysia) Julie Nederkoorn (Movies That Matter – The Hague, Netherlands)
Fourth speaker to be announced
Moderator: Heather Haynes (Documentary Consultant & Programme Consultant for Sheffield DocFest)
Silenced: How Power Adapts to Suppress Women
“As women speak out, power pushes back. Three urgent documentaries explore the legal, cultural and
systemic forces working to silence women across the world.”
Speakers: Jen Robinson (Human Rights Lawyer, Subject of Silenced) Bàrbara Mestanza (Director, Filthy)
Gabriela Díaz Arp (Director, Matinino) Sophie Argent (Solicitor & Co-Founder of Creators Counsel)
Goalhanger Greenroom Session: How Ideas Become Podcasts
“A behind-the-scenes look at how podcast ideas are developed and commissioned – from the team behind Goalhanger’s shows.”
Speakers: Nicole Logan (Executive Producer, Goalhanger) India Dunkley (Producer, Goalhanger)
Beyond the Algorithm: The Rise of YouTube Documentary
“As audiences shift away from legacy media, YouTube is becoming a powerful, and deeply contested, space for documentary storytelling. But what happens to truth when we rely on platforms built for engagement?”
Speakers: Ben Zand (Investigative Filmmaker, Journalist and Founder of Zandland) Andrii Kotliar (Producer, Time Machine Maidan – Babylon’13) Additional speakers to be announced.
Moderator: Marianna Spring (BBC Disinformation and Social Media Correspondent)
From Headline to Screen: When Real Stories Become Drama
“A behind-the-scenes look at Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, and the ethical, creative and legal tightrope shaping sensitive, high-stakes storytelling.”
Speakers: Guy Davies (Commissioning Editor, Factual, 5) Paul Testar (Commissioning Editor, Drama, 5) Mark Burt (Writer) Louise Kentleton (Factual Producer).
