Delegates from around the world are beginning to arrive in Sheffield today for the 26th Sheffield Doc/Fest.
It opens with the UK Premiere of Diego Maradona, from the team behind Amy and Senna. This is followed by a Q&A session with director, Asif Kapadia at Sheffield City Hall.
Over the next 6 days, the festival will show more than 180 documentary features and shorts, including 33 World Premieres, 92 UK Premieres and 10 European Premieres.
In additional to Kapadia, speakers include Chidera Eggerue (aka The Slumflower), Werner Herzog, Paul Greengrass, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Rodney P, Carol Morley, Stacey Dooley and Nick Hornby.
“This year’s Doc/Fest is a celebration of internationalism, creativity and discovery; looking at the world with new eyes and giving a platform to a multitude of voices and ideas,” explained Melanie Iredale, Interim Director, Sheffield Doc/Fest.
54% of titles in the film programme are made by women.
The BBC has also announced its presence in Sheffield, with new filmmakers being given the opportunity to pitch to BBC Three commissioners and Controller, Fiona Campbell.
BBC commissioners Clare Sillery, Tom McDonald, David Brindley and Emma Cahusac will be taking part in panel discussions and there will be screenings of new BBC documentaries War in the Blood, Seahorse, The Unwanted: The Secret Windrush Files, Nomad, Untouchable, Once Upon A Time in Iraq and Out In The Cold.
