DOK Leipzig — International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film
69th edition of Germany's most renowned documentary and animated film festival — from October 26 to November 1, 2026 in Leipzig
About DOK Leipzig
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Since 1955 — Documentary Film in Leipzig
After 70 years, DOK Leipzig is still the heart of German-language documentary film. Founded in 1955 in the GDR as the "Leipzig Documentary and Short Film Week," the festival has survived the fall of the Wall and the redefinition of German filmmaking, developing into one of the most important festivals of its genre worldwide. 2026 marks the 69th edition, with screenings spread across several cinemas and cultural venues in the center of Leipzig.
October 26 – November 1, 2026
A week of programming from Monday, October 26, to Sunday, November 1, 2026. The selection includes feature films, short films, and animated films of all lengths. The International Competition for documentary and animated films showcases outstanding international contributions, while the German Competition focuses on the German-speaking region. In addition, there are retrospective series, thematic sections, and a Young DOK program for children and young people.
DOK Co-Pro Market and DOK Industry
Parallel to the public festival, the DOK Co-Pro Market will take place from October 26 to 27, 2026 — an established industry platform where filmmakers present ambitious, creative, author-driven documentary and animated projects in development or early production stages. Additionally, there's DOK Exchange XR (virtual reality, augmented reality, immersive formats), the Doc Together initiative program, the Animation Lab, and numerous other industry events. The submission deadline for all these programs is July 1, 2026.
Doc Alliance Award and Other Prizes
Among the most important awards is the Doc Alliance Award, which honors emerging European documentary filmmakers — in 2026, it will be endowed with a total of €8,000 (€5,000 for Best Feature, €3,000 for Best Short). Furthermore, DOK Leipzig awards the Golden and Silver Dove in various competitions, a prize from the Ecumenical Jury, a DEFA Foundation Award for German documentary films, and an Audience Award.
Saxony, Leipzig, and Documentary Film
Leipzig has a long documentary tradition: the DEFA Studios, the Academy of Visual Arts (HGB) with its Media Art program, the independent documentary film scene around Pögehof and Schaubühne Lindenfels — the city is a productive center for non-fictional filmmaking. DOK Leipzig is the annual gathering of this scene and, at the same time, its international showcase.
DOK Leipzig — edition 2026
October 26 to November 1, 2026 — 69th Edition
For a week, Leipzig will be the center of international documentary film. Screenings in several cinemas and cultural venues, three parallel competitions, retrospective series, thematic sections — DOK Leipzig 2026 will feature around 200 films from around the world.
Parallel to the public festival, DOK Industry will take place with the Co-Pro Market (October 26–27), Animation Lab, DOK Exchange XR, and Doc Together program — the most important industry platform for author-driven documentary and animated projects in the German-speaking region.
Programme DOK Leipzig 2026
Program Overview Oct 26–Nov 1, 2026
- International Competition Documentary — Feature films and mid-length documentaries from around the world, Golden/Silver Dove
- International Competition Animated Film — Animated films of all lengths
- German Competition — German documentary and animated films, DEFA Foundation Award
- Retrospective — Annual focus on a director or theme
- Young DOK — Films for children and young people, media education program
- Doc Alliance Award — Emerging European filmmakers, €8,000 prize money (€5,000 Feature, €3,000 Short)
- Film Talks with directors after screenings
- Ecumenical Jury Prize — Award with a moral and ethical focus
- Audience Award — Votes of the audience
DOK Industry (Oct 26–Nov 1, 2026)
- DOK Co-Pro Market (October 26–27): Pitching of ambitious projects in development or early production stages
- Animation Lab — Workshop program for animation projects
- DOK Exchange XR — virtual reality, augmented reality, immersive formats
- Doc Together Initiative — International cooperation platform
- Industry accreditation required, registration deadline July 1, 2026
The full film program will be published in September 2026 on dok-leipzig.de.
Highlights DOK Leipzig 2026
- 69th edition of Germany's oldest documentary film festival
- Three international competitions (Documentary, Animated, German)
- DOK Co-Pro Market Oct 26–27 (Industry Platform)
- Doc Alliance Award €8,000 prize money
- DOK Exchange XR for immersive formats
- Young DOK for children and young people
- Film talks with international directors
- Golden Dove as the main prize
Prices DOK Leipzig 2026
Single ticket approx. €10, reduced €8. Festival pass and industry accreditation separate (tiered pricing). Students, seniors, and unemployed receive discounts. Tickets online at dok-leipzig.de and at cinema box offices.
Practical information — DOK Leipzig
Date
Monday, October 26, to Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Venues
Several cinemas and cultural venues in Leipzig — CineStar im Petersbogen, Schaubühne Lindenfels, Passage Kinos, Kinobar Prager Frühling, GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts, and others.
Tickets
Single ticket approx. €10, reduced €8. Festival pass and industry accreditations available separately.
Submissions
Film submission deadline: July 1, 2026 (for documentary and animated films of all lengths). DOK Co-Pro Market applications also by July 1, 2026.
Getting There
By train (ICE/IC) to Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, all venues are centrally located. By plane to Leipzig/Halle Airport, then take S-Bahn line S5 to the city center.
Organizer
Leipziger Dok-Filmwochen GmbH, Katharinenstraße 17, 04109 Leipzig.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a DOK Leipzig al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place DOK Leipzig
Mehrere Leipziger Kinos und Spielstätten
Katharinenstraße 17, 04109 Leipzig