Three-year deal secured for international festival

Sheffield Council has signed a new deal with an event that brings more than £1.2m into the city each year.
2016 Sheffield Documentary Festival2016 Sheffield Documentary Festival
2016 Sheffield Documentary Festival

Doc/Fest runs until Wednesday and is the UK’s biggest festival of documentaries. Today the council confirmed its support for another three years.

More than 30,000 people take part in the films, talks and other events on offer – with 180 documentaries screened over six days.

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It is hosted at 30 venues and attracts 3,500 delegates from around 60 countries each year.

This year’s big names include Louis Theroux, Lenny Henry and Maxine Peake for the event’s 24th year.

Council leader Julie Dore said: “Hosting the festival adds to our reputation as a cultural and creative destination, enhancing Sheffield’s appeal to visitors, businesses and those who may wish to move to Sheffield to work.

“I look forward to seeing the festival continue to grow and thrive over the next three years, and hope that it becomes even more popular with Sheffielders, delegates, and our international visitors.”

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This year’s Doc/Fest features a line-up of documentaries and talent, both home-grown and from around the world, including a record number of international and UK premieres.

This year’s film programme features a record 183 documentary features and shorts, being shown at venues including the Showroom, the Light cinema on The Moor, and outdoor pop-up free screens in Tudor Square and Howard Street.

The Alternate Realities programme, supported by Arts Council England, also allows audiences to touch, swipe and play their way through sensory worlds – such as seeing the world through the eyes of a baby, or climbing a canopy in the Amazon rainforest.

Away from the scheduled events, Doc/Fest also includes a marketplace at Cutlers’ Hall – the MeetMarket – where typically over £7,000,000 of deals are done each year.

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There are also all-year programme of screenings, training, workshops, mentoring and networking, as well as internships and volunteering opportunities for young people in the city.

Liz McIntyre, CEO and director, said: “Sheffield City Council’s generous support and commitment to Doc/Fest, as a city cultural and business highlight, is highly valued.

“I am thrilled that the partnership between Doc/Fest and the council is continuing for a further three years. We all greatly look forward to the future together.”

Find out more at sheffdocfest.com