DokuBaku is the first independent International Documentary Film Festival in Azerbaijan. Since the establishment of the festival 2017, its aim is to present a showcase of handpicked - specially selected documentary films from all over the world in the international program as well as the local competition which aims to support the local filmmakers and non-fiction production.

DokuBaku IDFF supports the screening of the films by the Azerbaijani documentary film directors along with a unique, unrepeatable as-life international documentary film program intended for the general public. The festival includes debates and discussions of local and foreign filmmakers within various fields and film screenings.

The objectives of DokuBaku consist of:
- promoting the development of an independent documentary film industry in Azerbaijan, encouraging local young-amateur and professional filmmakers and cinema lovers;
- creating a platform for documentary films screening and exchange of experience on local and international professionals;
- supporting for the making of new local documentary films;
- encouraging the creation of potential international products.

DokuBaku has been removing the gap in the cultural life and the cinema community of Azerbaijan. It gives an invaluable result with its individual film program and events for six years.

DokuBaku Film Festival announces the call entry for the 7th edition. The main topic of this year edition is "CosmoDarwinism: The Age of Aquarius". The festival will take place on 26 September - 01 October, 2023.

Artificial intelligence, cloning and space tourism have become realities of our lives. Humanity erases the line between the unknown and the real, between the acceptance of a deity and science. People are deviating from the usual and traditional perception of the world and establishing new rules, looking higher and moving further away from the Earth.

As a result of cataclysms and wars, our planet began to rotate faster, and the speed of our life is also increasing day by day. We live and work at an accelerated pace compared to that of our ancestors, whose way of life had not changed for several centuries. Today, modern technology dictates a new lifestyle, with which we are forced to agree in order to have time to live.

Now that humanity has entered the Age of Aquarius, we have to be ready for globalization and the rapid development of science, which is getting indistinguishable from magic. Ideas that seemed to be an invention of writers 30 years ago are being embodied and become part of our existence. At the same time, it brings individual inner freedom from dogmas and people’s personal responsibility for their lives, harmony and happiness. Time will show how well we will cope with the upcoming changes.

The winning film in each category gets the prize which is a unique artwork made by a local artist.

All films in languages other than English should have English subtitles (embedded or .srt)

Program:

We invite all the filmmakers to share their cinematic studies on how best humanity can deal with the challenges of our time: digitization and the frantic pace of life and those who proclaim the value of the human beings and their desire to succeed without the use of technology.

The films submitted to the festival must be completed in 2022-2023.

Audience:
DokuBaku is a festival aimed at the general public. DokuBaku's public audiences are ticket buyers or those invited by the festival organizers.

Guests of the Festival:
DokuBaku IDFF organizers do not undertake the expenses of festival guests and participants in 2023.

General Provisions:
This Regulation was compiled in Azerbaijani and English.

The text in the Azerbaijani language is preferred when there is a contradiction among the texts of the regulations. Participation in DokuBaku involves accepting the terms and conditions unquestionably that is used in these regulations. Any questions and controversy arising during the preparation and implementation of the festival shall be resolved by the organizer of the festival in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Looking forward to seeing you at DokuBaku IDFF2023.

P.S. The most attentive visitors of our web-site will find a hidden discount code for submission.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nihad Isa

    Amazing experience and nice atmosphere.
    Thanks for all!

    October 2022
  • Sara Bahramjahan

    Thank you for your awesome festival and excellent planning and thank you for providing me the conditions to come to Baku and stay there due to the difficult flight conditions. I was impressed by unique personality of Imam and I learned a lot from his insight.

    October 2022
  • It was an honor be be present to DokuBaku 2022 and to won an award with my film Mamody, the last baobab digger . Even I couldn't attend the festival, it was a great experience. The communication and organisation are very good and friendly. Top festival !

    October 2022
  • José David Apel

    It is a beautiful festival. The organization keeps in touch with you all the time.
    I am very grateful to have participated in the 2021 edition and I recommend the whole film community to participate in DOKUBAKU FF.

    November 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words. Hope to see you again this year!

  • Hot Chilli Films

    Great festival with a great selection of films.
    I’m very glad that we had our film there and we thank the juries for the best documentary award at No Main Competition.
    Hope to be back with another film in the future.

    November 2021
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    Response from festival:

    We are happy to hear such words from you. Good luck to you!