History
First held in 1994, Sheffield Doc/Fest has grown to become the United Kingdom's leading event for the non-fiction film and television industry. Each year the festival is a forum for producers, distributors, commissioners, filmmakers and emerging talent. It offers a wealth of inspirational documentary films from across the globe, pitching opportunities, controversial discussion panels, in-depth filmmaker masterclasses and unique parties and provides opportunities to build the creative and business relationships that drive the factual genre.
The first Sheffield Doc/Fest (formally Sheffield International Documentary Festival) was held in 1994. The festival was launched as both an international film festival and a conference for all professionals working in documentary production. The first Doc/Fest consisted of all the observational American trailblazers, including Robert Drew, Richard Leacock, DA Pennebaker.
Sheffield Doc/Fest was the vision of Peter Symes of BBC TV Features Bristol. He felt that it was incredible that there was no festival in the UK celebrating the work of documentary makers and no forum at which the makers could meet to argue and debate their craft, especially considering that Britain has a long tradition of making some of the very best documentaries in the world.
In 1990 with the support of John Prescott Thomas and Peter Salmon at BBC Bristol, a working party was set up to see if a documentary festival would be a viable proposition. Originally the festival was to take place in Bristol. Over three years Peter and others worked to raise money to support the festival. By 1993 Channel 4, United Artists, Discovery Channel, Central TV, and Granada TV all had representatives sitting on the Festival Board and generously agreed to provide funding.
In the same year, filmmakers and academics in Sheffield suggested the city as a venue. In 1993 Sheffield was developing its media production base and its cultural industries quarter was expanding. It also had at the two universities, strong film, journalism and media schools with a growing centre of postgraduate education at the Northern Media School, a large student population and venues for offices, screenings and debates. Being outside the magic circle of London was seen as a positive advantage.
The festival attracts key industry figures. Past guests and speakers include Louis Theroux, Kevin MacDonald, Nick Broomfield, Robert Thirkell, Penny Woolcock, Stephen Lambert, Mark Cousins, Kim Longinotto, Danny Cohen, Joan Rivers, Rolf Harris, D. A. Pennebaker and Franny Armstrong.
Year on year, Sheffield Doc/Fest achieves record levels of attendance - the 2010 Festival saw 2200 delegates, 10,000 general public admissions, 300 speakers, 175 decision makers, 120 films, 80 director Q&As and 60 sessions - a true indication that the Festival is one not to be missed.
Previously held in November, as of 2011 the festival moved to the summer. Sheffield Doc/Fest 2013 will take place from 12–16 June.
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