DOK LEIPZIG is one of the world's leading festivals for documentary and animation films, unique in combining these two disciplines in its festival history of more than 60 years. Every year at the end of October, the festival attracts more than 47,000 viewers and presents more than 300 films from all over the globe. DOK Leipzig has become an important platform for directors to present their films to a public audience for the first time with about 100 World and International Premieres and the international film industry meets DOK Industry Programme to develop, promote and distribute new films and interactive projects.
DOK Leipzig's programme is composed of films with a strong artistic and personal signature. The festival has a long tradition of presenting works that are distinctive in their techniques and aesthetic. The programme also highlights films that challenge their genre, explore boundaries and are fluid in their definition. DOK Leipzig has been inspiring film fans for more than 60 years with works that raise central questions about society and political developments and offer new perspectives. In addition to documentary and animated films, the program shows the latest developments in interactive storytelling.
DOK Leipzig is a festival for both feature-length and short films, with international, national, animated documentary film and Next Masters competitions. Films of the Official Selection can be nominated for further prizes. Each year additionally the festival shares curated special programmes, such as a retrospective, homages, a country focus as well as children and youth programming.
DOK INDUSTRY Programme brings together international professionals to push for the development, co-financing and distribution of creative documentaries, inviting innovation and out of the box thinking as well as traditional media players. It also promotes creative exchange between documentary, animated film and interactive storytelling professionals. DOK Industry Programme includes around 70 specialist events during the festival week, including the DOK Co-Pro Market, discussion formats and networking events. With its international standing, DOK Leipzig and DOK Industry Programme offer exclusive access to film professionals in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. DOK Industry is one of the largest industry gatherings for documentary filmmakers in Europe.
As the festival was founded in 1955 during the Cold War, it was always an important place of artistic exchange between filmmakers from the East and West and since its initiation has included both documentary and animation film in its programmes. Today, DOK Leipzig is a film festival that dynamically seeks new or unexpected practices in creative documentary and animated filmmaking. It is our missions to contribute and empower promising talents to seize opportunities, regardless of gender or origin.
Above all, DOK Leipzig is also a major public festival. Outside the cinemas, the festival shows films in the central train station for the citizens of Leipzig, and offers opportunities to discover new kinds of storytelling in the interactive exhibition DOK Neuland - both with free admission. Our filmmakers, experts, professional and international visitors are thrilled every year by the inquisitive Leipzig audience, who participate eagerly in the Q&As after each screening or during the DOK Talks programming. DOK Leipzig is a debate-provoking celebration of cinema.