The UK’s leading documentary festival and one of the world’s most influential markets for documentary projects returns to the vibrant city of Sheffield, and Showroom Cinema from 14 -19 June. Packed full of unmissable films and events, DocFest champions and showcases the best of documentary films, offering filmmakers and audiences a place for inspiration, debate, development, learning and challenge. The programme represents the core values of DocFest – creativity, empathy, freedom, inclusivity and internationalism.

The festival’s opening night film will be the world premiere of Paul Sng’s Tish, screening at the iconic Sheffield City Hall. The film is a moving portrait of social documentary photographer and trailblazer Tish Murtha, who dedicated her life to documenting the lives of working-class communities in North East England, and follows Tish’s daughter Ella as she revisits key moments from her mother’s life and work. Tish’s striking black and white photos convey a tenderness and intimacy that set her apart from her peers and her work would later become a powerful record of a world decimated by a new and ruthless form of capitalism and the impact of Thatcher era de-industrialisation upon local communities.

Among many of the DocFest documentaries to be screened at Showroom Cinema, Shorts: Camera as Witness asks the question - “When the immense power of the state is used against citizens, what role does the camera play?”. Featuring three short films, from Afghanistan, USA and Ukraine, it offers an array of possibilities. Is it a forensic tool or strategic weapon, an unreliable witness, a prosecutor or a provocateur?

One of the biggest and brightest talents in UK television, satirist Munya Chawawa, will talk at the Crucible Theatre about his recent move into documentary filmmaking. BAFTA nominated for his Channel 4 documentary How to Survive a Dictator, Munya will be at Sheffield DocFest to discuss his unique approach to integrating satire in documentary, keeping viewers engaged and cleverly informed.

Alternate Realities will form a large and exciting part of this year’s programme, with a wide-ranging collection of experiences and installations hosted at Sheffield’s Site Gallery. As part of the AR programme, Missing Pictures is a five-part VR series where acclaimed filmmakers Abel Ferrara, Tsai Ming-liang, Catherine Hardwicke, Lee Myung-se and Naomi Kawase each take us into the world of a film they didn’t get to make.

With films, talks, VR experiences, networking events and late night parties, DocFest has something for everyone and will be a great celebration in the heart Sheffield city.

DocFest tickets are now on sale: /docfest2023