On 7 September, the Stiftung Friedliche Revolution announced that 2021 will mark the tenth year that the foundation awards its “Leipziger Ring” prize at DOK Leipzig. The award honours an artistic documentary film "that deals with the subject of democracy in an extraordinary way and motivates people to take on social responsibility and initiate processes of change,” the foundation said. It also often highlights the achievements of filmmakers who have courageously made their films with great personal commitment in the face of opposition and restrictions on free speech and the media.

The "Leipziger Ring" film prize has been awarded annually since 2010 as part of the International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film (DOK Leipzig), and includes prize money of 2,500 euros. In 2016 and 2020, however, the award had to be suspended.

"We are extremely pleased that the ‘Leipziger Ring’ film award can be continued with the 64th festival edition," festival director Christoph Terhechte said. "With this year's festival, DOK Leipzig returns to the cinemas, and thus to human encounters, exchange and discussion about films and life experiences. The festival sees itself as a piece of lived democracy and therefore also a fitting partner to the Stiftung Friedliche Revolution."

A jury appointed by the foundation's board of directors will choose the winning film from among a selection of nominations by DOK Leipzig, which runs from 25 to 31 October 2021 in film venues across the city. The "Leipziger Ring" prize will be presented at the festival's partner awards ceremony on 30 October at the Regina-Palast.

The award commemorates the many people who peacefully demonstrated in 1989 for democratic reforms in central Leipzig and numerous other places in former East Germany, risking their lives, health and freedom.