Programme Overview

With contemporary international films, unique curated programmes and a rich programme for children and adults, we invite our audience to discover the range of contemporary documentary and animated film. Our competition categories give exciting artistic works a place to celebrate their premieres.
With DOK Neuland, we present the public with a curated exhibition of Extended Reality works. Each year this creates a world where visitors can experience profound stories in unexpected virtual spaces.
This year, DOK Leipzig will celebrate its 65th edition. We look forward to welcoming you to the festival from 17 to 23 October.
The topics and films of this year’s festival edition will be revealed from beginning of September onwards. Until then, this page will provide some first insights into our programme offers and activities.
You want to be part of the festival with your most recent artistic work? The call for for films and XR works is now open! For more details and updates on how to submit, please check our submission info.
The Competitions
We present six competition categories and one category out of competition at DOK Leipzig:
- International Competition Long Documentary and Animated Film
- International Competition Short Documentary and Animated Film
- Camera Lucida – Out of Competition
- German Competition Long Documentary and Animated Film
- German Competition Short Documentary and Animated Film
- Competition for the Audience Award Long Documentary and Animated Film
- Competition for the Audience Award Short Documentary and Animated Film
Discover all films that were running in the 2021 competitions
More Film Series
In addition to the competition categories, we also present several curated series within our programme. With these formats we focus on film historic topics or honour the work of outstanding film artists. These include a retrospective, homages, matinees and programmes for children and young people (Kids DOK). Take a look back at all programme series at DOK Leipzig 2021
Awards & Juries
The winners of the festival awards – the Golden and Silver Doves – are selected by independent juries. Additionally, further prizes are presented by our partners within the festival. Find out about all winning films at DOK Leipzig 2021 here.
Our Extended Reality exhibition DOK Neuland opens its doors to the public during the festival week. Audiences and filmmakers can discover and define new boundaries in film with immersive works, virtual and augmented reality, games, 360° films and media art in a completely new form. XR Submissions to DOK Neuland are open until 1 July 2022.
Our film branch networking programme is tailor-made for accredited trade visitors (filmmakers, XR creatives, producers, editors, decision makers and distributors). Each year we welcome around 1,600 accredited guests at DOK Leipzig. Find out more about DOK Industry