Realities in Motion
Various Sheffield Venues – until Monday 15th June 2026
Reviewed by Claire Moore
5*****
Founded in 1993, Sheffield DocFest has grown from a two-day event into the UK’s biggest documentary festival and the third largest in the world. This year, with 23 venues spread across the city, it transformed Sheffield into a hub of creativity, conversation and storytelling.
This was my first experience of DocFest and, having spent several days moving between venues across the city, I quickly found myself caught up in the atmosphere it creates.
For anyone who hasn’t been before, DocFest is much more than film screenings. Alongside documentaries from around the world, there are Q&As with filmmakers, panel discussions, industry talks, round tables, immersive and virtual reality experiences, exhibitions, networking events, parties and awards ceremonies. There are also opportunities to be among the first people to see new releases before they reach a wider audience. The programme is so extensive that seeing everything would be impossible, but with a bit of planning it’s possible to experience an impressive variety of events.
For six days Sheffield felt alive with conversation. Everywhere I went there were people discussing films, sharing ideas and connecting over stories from around the world, and there was a real buzz across the city.
One of the things I enjoyed most was seeing so many of Sheffield’s fantastic venues being used as part of the festival. From independent cinemas and theatres to some of the city’s most recognisable buildings, each brought its own character to proceedings. It reminded me just how much Sheffield has to offer culturally, and how lucky we are to have such a diverse range of spaces right on our doorstep.
I was struck by how welcoming and accessible the festival felt. Whether you were an industry professional, documentary enthusiast or simply someone curious to try something new, there seemed to be something for everyone. With such a huge schedule I couldn’t help but admire the amount of planning and organisation that must go into bringing an event of this scale to life each year.
What DocFest does brilliantly is use documentary film as a starting point for bigger conversations. The screenings, talks and events encourage you to think differently, learn something new and perhaps see the world through someone else’s eyes. At a time when it can feel easier to stay within our own bubbles, that feels more important than ever.
By the end of the festival, what stayed with me wasn’t any single moment but the cumulative effect of it all — the sense of a city turning outward and inviting the world in. More than anything, I left feeling proud that an event of this scale and quality takes place in Sheffield. It brought energy, visitors and conversation into the city, showcased some incredible venues, and created the kind of positive atmosphere that lingers long after the final screening has ended.