DOK Leipzig
DOK Leipzig is the world’s oldest festival for documentary and animation film, unique in offering this combination, and guided by the values of diversity, human dignity, inclusion and peace. During the week-long festival in autumn, it presents about 200 artistically outstanding, socially relevant films and XR experiences.
About
The International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film (DOK Leipzig), held every autumn, is unique among festivals worldwide in offering a combination of documentary and animated film. During the week-long festival, as many as 200 artistically outstanding, socially relevant films and extended reality (XR) experiences are presented in various cinemas and venues in Leipzig. The festival programme and its organisation are guided by the values of diversity, human dignity, inclusion and peace.
The works we select for our programme afford insight into familiar and unfamiliar lifestyles, address current political issues and expose social systems and their imbalances. At the same time, the films’ creative styles reflect new trends in documentary and animated film.
DOK Leipzig endeavours to present these films to as wide an audience as possible and thus to contribute to a dialogue about art and the world we live in – a dialogue that will hopefully encourage people to embrace new perspectives and resolve conflicts.
The extended reality exhibition DOK Neuland enriches the film programme with a range of immersive works. Each year this creates a world where visitors can experience profound stories in unexpected virtual spaces.
DOK Leipzig is both a public festival and, via DOK Industry, a meeting place for the international documentary film industry. DOK Industry Programme supports the creation and circulation of new creative documentary films from all over the world. Exceptional projects are presented every year in a relaxed and open environment.
The 67th edition of DOK Leipzig will take place from 28 October to 3 November 2024.
Submissions
Submissions to the festival programme are generally open to creative documentaries and animated films as well as Extended Reality works of all lengths.
Open Calls 2024:
- Documentary and animated films: 15 February – 1 July 2024
- XR works: 15 March – 1 July 2024
- DOK Co-Pro Market: 15 May – 15 July 2024
To be considered for the competitions, it is important that the films have been produced either in 2023 or 2024, and that they have not been shown publicly before October 2023.
For XR works, no specific premiere status is required to qualify for the submission.
The co-financing and networking event DOK Co-Pro Market accepts submissions of creative documentary projects in development or early stages of production.
Programme
The festival presents four competitions and two out-of-competition sections, whose films can be nominated for awards across all sections:
- International Competition Documentary Film
- International Competition Animated Film
- German Competition Documentary Film
- Audience Competition (Documentary and Animated Film)
- Camera Lucida (Out-of-competition)
- Panorama (Out-of-competition)
In addition to the competition categories, the programme also features further curated film series such as a Retrospective, Homages, and programmes for children and young people (Kids DOK).
In the curated XR exhibition DOK Neuland, audiences can discover and define new boundaries in film with interactive works, virtual and augmented reality, games, 360° films and entirely new XR formats. The exhibition is open to the public, admission is free.
Industry
The film branch networking programme is tailor-made for accredited filmmakers, XR creatives, producers, editors, decision makers and distributors. Each year DOK Industry welcomes around 1,600 accredited guests at the festival.
DOK Industry Programme presents:
- DOK Co-Pro Market
- DOK Film Market Online Library
- DOK Short n’ Sweet Pitch
- DOK Preview Presentations
- DOK Exchange XR Conference & Showcase
- Meet the Experts
- Podcasts
- Case Studies, Panels and Talks
Students
DOK Education invites students and teachers to get to know documentary film as both a cinematic genre and a content medium. The activities include special screenings for school classes and university courses. Every year during the festival, young people also have the opportunity to be part of the youth editorial team DOK Spotters and learn more about festival coverage, accompanied by media professionals.