Profile

For over 60 years DOK Leipzig has been showing documentary and animated films from around the world. This unique combination of genres attracts more than 40,000 visitors to Leipzig every year.
During the festival week, which usually takes place between October and November, numerous Leipzig cinemas and venues take part. Film screenings, talk formats, special events and the Extended Reality exhibition DOK Neuland are all part of the repertoire to stimulate debate and celebrate film.
We are looking forward to the 65th edition of DOK Leipzig this year from 17 to 23 October 2022. What this festival will look like – whether it will be on-site or a hybrid event such as in the past two years – will likely be announced in early summer, depending on the ongoing pandemic.
Watch some captured Moments of DOK Leipzig 2021

Each year at DOK Leipzig we welcome
- approximately 40,000 visitors
- and around 1,600 guests at the DOK Industry platform
At the 64th festival addition of DOK Leipzig in 2021
- we showed 172 films and XR works from 55 countries
- 162 films on the big screen, thereof 71 films additionally online
- we hosted around 50 events for industry professionals
- 23 awards and prize money totaling 63.250 € were presented
- the film programme included 35 world, 15 international, 4 European and 45 German premieres
Documentary and animated films in six different competitions, premieres and young talent, unique special programmes and dialogue formats, all find a place at DOK Leipzig. Have a look at our programme overview to discover more.
As a film trade platform, DOK Industry offers a space for exchange where filmmakers and leading branch figures can meet face-to-face to present and discuss their work while expanding their network. Learn more about DOK Industry.
In addition to classic film screenings, DOK Neuland offers a space for Extended Reality experiences. The exhibition open its doors annually during the festival week and presents Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, games, installations, 360° films and media art. Take a step into uncharted territory.
Alongside the annual festival and industry platform, other formats also supplement DOK Leipzig:
- DOK Education offers schools the opportunity to select films that fit their curriculum and explore them with pupils.
- Kids DOK provides the youngest festival guests with films suitable for ages 5 to 14.
- “DOK im Knast” visits inmates at the Regis-Breitingen juvenile prison for film showings and discussions.
Browse through our Film Archive and discover films from festivals as far back as 2012.
Dive into our past festival editions in our Festival archive and see which films won the prestigious DOK Leipzig Doves.
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