This year Cinecittà will host the selections of Italian films for the next edition of Sheffield DocFest (June 10th - 15th, 2026). Raul Niño Zambrano, Creative Director of the festival, will be our guest to watch this year’s submissions from January 28th through January 30th 2026.
We specify that this call is open exclusively to films with world or international premiere and we invite you to send a Vimeo link with English s / t of films you intend to submit no later then January 27th, with reference to "Sheffield DocFest 2026 Selections" and to the attention of:
Alessio Massatani: a.massatani@cinecitta.it
Cecilia Spano: c.spano@cinecitta.it
The documentaries proposed through us that will get a positive assessment by the Creative Director himself, will be exempt from paying the admission fee and they’ll receive a waiver code directly after the special viewing takes place in Rome at the end of January. After that the >Entry Form< will must be filled in to complete the registration.
We also offer a separate discount code for films that are not world or international premieres, that could do the official submission through the website but they won’t be in the list for the Creative Director. To receive this waiver code you should send a request to the following email address, no later than Friday 20th February 2026, with reference “Cinecittà discount code request”: films@sheffdocfest.com
These are the main guidelines of the Sheffield DocFest:
• The festival accepts completed documentary films of all lengths — from shorts to mid-length to features;
• Both short films (up to 40 minutes, including credits) and mid-length / feature films (over 40 minutes) are eligible;
• Each submitted film must be a standalone completed work — no rough cuts, prototypes or works in progress;
• Multiple entries are allowed — but each film requires a separate application form;
• All submissions will be reviewed by the Festival’s programming team;
• Submission does not guarantee selection for the Festival programme — given the high volume of entries (over 2,700 expected), competition is strong;
• If selected, the Festival will provide instructions about delivery of the final screening copy / master, and any required materials;
• Films may come from anywhere in the world — all languages accepted, but subtitles in English (or English dialogue) are strongly recommended to facilitate selection process;
• Previously submitted films are allowed again only if significantly changed (narrative or form). Rough cuts / unfinished works are not accepted.