The conclusion of our first look at the world's top 25 film festivals for documentary films. For numbers 1-10, go here. For 11-20, go here. Rankings are based on our research as well as the anonymous thoughts of numerous filmmakers and industry figures.
21. Edinburgh International Film Festival
Our take:
Edinburgh began more than 60 years ago as a documentary-only film festival and it still treats nonfiction with a lot of love in its Document section as well as elsewhere throughout its program. The festival takes place in the midst of a city-wide arts fest that transforms Scotland's beautiful capital city into a late summer haven for artists of all stripes. Extraordinarily well curated and a near-perfect introduction to UK audiences.
Others:
Filmmaker:
"A classy and serious film festival but I didn’t get a sense of how it was as a market. Not much I presume. They were great to the filmmakers and it was a lot of fun too. Great city, that helps."
Filmmaker:
"So many great films and wonderful TALKS with major people in the industry! I LOVE EDINBURGH!!!!!!!! A really supportive staff."
Our take:
Makes this list by virtue of the fact that it occasionally hosts a high profile film like MAD HOT BALLROOM and KING OF KONG. But don't be deluded - these films came into the fest with high-powered teams behind them. A typical doc at the fest will be hard-pressed to attract buyers or press to screenings, as they are too busy further down Park City's Main Street to make it up to the Treasure Mountain Inn. But if selling to a distributor is not your main priority, you are still in Park City with a film and are free to mix and mingle with everyone who's come to town for the bigger 'dance. You'll just have to have your own coming out party somewhere else.
23. Morelia International Film Festival/Ambulante
Our take:
An exquisite fest in Mexico has been steadily increasing industry and press presence over the past few years while simultaneously supporting Ambulate, Mexico's traveling documentary film festival. The combination is creating a true documentary culture in Mexico, supporting both homegrown as well as international talent. Strong crowds and a beautiful setting make Morelia a festival in ascent.
Others:
Filmmaker:
"FANTASTIC. Docs are programmed by Shannon Kelley formerly of Sundance, who is lovely and thoughtful and brings an amazing selection. But the place and the film selection and the hospitality and the other guests blew my mind, an absolute life-highlight."
Our take:
One of the US' top regional festivals, Sarasota usually boasts a strong documentary competition slate. While the films almost always premiere elsewhere, the programming choices reflect a truly broad cross-section of stylistic approaches, with an emphasis on films that are visually strong. Add to this a growing industry and press presence and one of the top social environments of any festival and Sarasota is positioning itself as the top festival in the state for nonfiction.
25. Copenhagen DOX
Our take:
The largest documentary film festival in Scandinavia has proved impressive in its first five years. For some reason, it goes head to head with Sheffield, which creates a kind of doc marathon in November. Screens more than 100 films and is building its own pitch market (what European doc fest is complete without it?).
So that's this year's top 25, but here's a look at some festivals that we think are promising and should be watched carefully...
FESTIVALS TO WATCH - IN TRANSITION
Our take:
CineVegas would make the top 25 if it screened more docs. It gets a strong press turnout and decent audiences and has a setting that offers a hilarious and striking alternative to nearly every other festival around. There's talk that the festival - which boasted a full documentary line-up a few years ago and then started to cut back - may once again start beefing up its nonfiction slate. If you get in, it's a must to attend and unless you spend a lot of time at the roulette wheel, you won't spend a dime.
Cleveland International Film Festival
Our take:
Long a favorite of visiting filmmakers, Cleveland moves up the calendar this year and now faces off against SXSW and Thessaloniki. Gets strong support from the community and pays for most everything (although there can be a big and sometimes unexplainable difference in accomodations).
Our take:
The industry-heavy October fest has recently brought in David Nugent, who most recently programmed a strong doc line-up at Newport. While Hamptons has always had a sizable documentary component, the sometimes hierarchical feel (with the NYC indie film royalty on the very top) has in the past led some nonfiction filmmakers to feel left out.
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
Our take:
The venerable Arkansas documentary festival has none of the sparkle or prestige of Silverdocs, Full Frame or True/False, and the line-up can be pretty musty at times, but the local crowds turn out strong and shorts are given a fair amount of respect. The setting is lovely and you can take full advantage of the local baths, but don't expect much in the way of financial support. Would be interesting to see what a fresh infusion of young programming talent could bring to the table.
FESTIVALS TO WATCH - RISING
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
Our take:
Awkwardly positioned between Sundance, Rotterdam, Berlin, the Oscars and True/False, Big Sky has nonetheless drawn strong crowds and a minor industry/press presence with its mix of new films (including many from locals) and fest veterans that may play Big Sky even after a theatrical run (provided the film never reaches Montana).
Festival Internacional de Cine de Gijon
Our take:
The fest on the northern coast of Spain is geared toward a younger audience and the nonfiction line-up accentuates the point. Still relatively unknown, the fest has been growing in recent years by reaching out to and inviting North American filmmakers who may already be on the continent for IDFA. Word is starting to get out.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on these festivals or others. You can post comments here or email your thoughts.
Edinburgh moved up their run to June so it won't compete with the 49 other Edinburgh festivals. Hopefully it will work out, but it does mean festival goers miss out on all of the other wonderful activities August has to offer in Edinburgh. Now it drops the same week as Los Angeles and Silverdocs. How do you rate the move?
Posted by: scott | March 04, 2008 at 08:42 PM
First, think its good that there is more and more open discussion about festivals.
I won't speak to the inclusions (since I work for one of them), but just mention some significant and beautifully curated doc events that should be on everybody's radar. They all take international submissions:
Visions du Reel (Nyon): one of the most rigorously programmed doc festivals in the world.
Yamagata: key event for Asian docs, also nice curatorial vision.
Leipzig: again, sharp, uncompromising programming, most import doc only event in Germany with significant industry component.
Jihlava - one of my faves. held in a small town 100km south of Prague, terrific programming and very engaged student audience who pour in from Prague just for fest.
Posted by: Sean Farnel | March 05, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Great list, very informative. Kinda crushes my dreams though...such negative talk of all the places I want to be someday!
what are your feelings (if any) on Sonoma Film Festival, Santa Fe Film Festival, & Palm Springs Film Festival? I have lumped them together in my mind with a lot of the fests on this list, but I have no experience to speak of!
Posted by: Cory | April 11, 2008 at 03:27 AM
Stay AWAY from the Hoboken 'International' Film Festival. One of the guys that runs it is a crook, big time, and he is ruining his reputation all over town with some of the BS he is spouting off. I won't mention his name for slader reasons, but let's just say he is the moron in the ripped up T-Shirt spouting off BS advice to young filmmakers. He claims to be the #5 film fest in the world, but he screens his films INCORRECTLY (wrong aspect ratio, skipping, sound problems) in some of the dirties venues around town, and I heard a while ago that he is actually suing some filmmaker for the rights to HIS OWN FILM because he wants compensation for allowing him to screen his film at his crappy festival. Not sure of the names involved, but it's some ugly legal thing, but I am friends with one of the major sponsors and they are planning to pull out because of the corruption. It's INSANE. Who would charge a filmmaker a venue rental after the fact? Beware! If you want to submit to a film fest around New York, submit it to an ACTUAL new york festival, not some watered down version across the bridge.
Posted by: May Z. | June 05, 2008 at 07:37 AM
San Francisco has a 6 year old documentary festival, now happening every fall. This year's dates are Oct 17-30 at the Roxie Cinema in SF and Oct 31-Nov 6 at Landmark's Shattuck Cinema in Berkeley. Over 60 films from all over the world in this years festival. www.sfindie.com
Posted by: Jeff Ros | July 28, 2008 at 10:01 AM
I had my premiere at Heartland Film Festival this year. What a mistake. I arrived at the theater(with cast) for my premier and the staff had no idea I was having my WORLD PREMIER. The venues are very spread out. The staff aren't very helpful or supportive. A big waste of a premier.
Posted by: dee | February 09, 2009 at 09:36 AM
I have had great experiences at Sheffield Docfest. We took part in the Meetmarket there and we had great interest in our feature doc "The British Guide to Showing Off" which will be completed this Autumn.
I learnt masses about distribution options internationally and the different flavours of commissioners and funders too - with very solid support from the Sheffield Docfest crew. The merge with Britdoc will undoubtedly raise the bar for the Docfest and I am already looking forward to this years - when I will be testing the water with fingers crossed the completed feature.
Its a great place if you as a filmmaker want to learn about the industry in the UK and internationally.
And its a small town!
Posted by: Jes Benstock | February 23, 2009 at 05:51 AM