On the 9th of May, the Sheffield DocFest launched the 2019-year’s program at the Barbican.
From the 6th to the 11th of June, the international festival will be celebrating the art and business of documentary and non-fiction storytelling across five program areas: Film, Alternative Realities, Talks, Marketplace and Social. Welcoming each year over 25,000 visitors, including around 3,500 industry delegates from 55 countries, it will offer “multiple images and perspective of the world”, according to Interim Director Melanie Iredale.
Presenting Sheffield as “the city of makers”, the festival will present over 180 films from both emerging and well-known documentary makers from 47 countries around the world, highlighting the works of female filmmakers and featuring contemporary topics such as sexuality, LGTBQ+, identity, feminism, youth, international politics, artificial intelligence and climate change, among others.
The six-day festival’s motto is Ways of Seeing, as it will be focusing on new and different ways of seeing both past, present and forthcoming realities.
The Film Programme will be presenting the latest works by Ai Weiwei, Jeanie Finlay, Jehane Noujaim, Jennifer Baichwal, Nikolaus Geyrhalter, Nanfu Wang and Petra Cost, as well as it will also be focusing on Japan filmmaking and the celebration of sound and song as a creative act of protest, with docs featuring PJ Harvey, Kate Nash and DJ Nigga Fox.
Through the programme of Alternative Realities, the festival will offer new ways of seeing through new technologies and digital artwork, sight and sound.
The Marketplace will host over 200 meetings and international delegations for future filmmakers and producers, and the Talks programme will offer panels and debates with directors, producers, journalists, artists, musicians, activists, historians…. introducing this year spotlight conversations.
And last but not least, the Social programme will present a wide range of parties, live events, food stalls and even a well-stocked licensed bar throughout the day and evening.
As Interim Director Melanie Iredale states, “Doc/Fest is primarily a place to connect, to meet fellow documentary makers and documentary lovers – whether in our market, festival hub or at our famous parties”.
Furthermore, the Doc/Fest festival will be extending to a UK tour: future venues and dates to be confirmed.
Festival passes through this link.
Social media: @sheffdocfest
