DOXA is Western Canada's largest documentary film festival, presented by The Documentary Media Society, a non-profit, charitable society devoted to presenting independent and innovative documentaries to Vancouver audiences.

The society exists to educate the public about documentary film as an art form through DOXA Documentary Film Festival, a curated and juried festival comprised of public screenings, panel discussions, industry forums and educational programs. The 22nd annual DOXA Documentary Film Festival will take place May 4 thru 14, 2023.

Our Mission:
To support a better understanding of the complexity of our times through engaging the public in documentary media as an art form.

We’re Committed To:
*Cultivating curiosity and critical thought.
*Promoting the intersection of actuality and artistic expression.
*Fostering a local and international community interested in non-fiction media.

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, DOXA plans to present a hybrid festival experience which will include both online and theatrical screenings. In-person theatrical screenings will take place in accordance with the health and safety guidelines set out by our public health authorities.

As the DOXA board and staff continue to closely monitor the national and global situation regarding COVID-19, we will adapt our festival accordingly to expand or reduce in-person events, to ensure the safety of our community.

DOXA aims to pay all independent filmmakers selected through the submission process a screening fee and/or assist with travel/accommodations to attend the festival.

DOXA takes place in beautiful British Columbia, Canada on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

Awards & Prizes

The DOXA award winners are selected on the basis of three major criteria: success and innovation in the realization of the project’s concept; originality and relevance of subject matter and approach; and overall artistic and technical proficiency.

DOXA Feature Documentary Award
DOXA Short Documentary Award
Colin Low Award for Canadian Documentary
Nigel Moore Award for Youth Programming

Total prize value to be determined.

Rules & Terms

*Projects completed after January 1, 2022 will be prioritized.

*Projects that have not screened (theatrical, online or broadcast) to audiences in Vancouver B.C. audiences prior to the festival will be prioritized.

*You may submit with an online screener. Please do not send DVD or Blu-Ray.

*Rough cuts are eligible ONLY IF final cuts will be available by March 13, 2023.

*Work produced in languages other than English must be subtitled in English.

*Please enclose a brief synopsis and screening history.

*More weight is given to projects which do not take a conventional journalistic or commercial approach.

*Fee waivers are available for Indigenous filmmakers. Please email submissions [at] doxafestival.ca for more information.

*All entrants will be notified by April 3, 2023.

DOXA Documentary Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize any film stills or excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless The Documentary Media Society ("DOXA Documentary Film Festival"), its Board of Directors, Employees, and Agents, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

COVID-19 UPDATE:

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, DOXA plans to present a hybrid festival experience which will include both online and theatrical screenings. In-person theatrical screenings will take place in accordance with the health and safety guidelines set out by our public health authorities.

As the DOXA board and staff continue to closely monitor the national and global situation regarding COVID-19, we will adapt our festival accordingly to expand or reduce in-person events, to ensure the safety of our community.

13 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Eva Brownstein

    We loved premiering our film at DOXA. The screening venues were great, as were the quality of programming and workshops. Loved mingling with other filmmakers at the social events and galas. Our film participants felt very celebrated!

    June 2022
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  • Marina-Evelina Cracana

    We had a great experience with our film, the audience engagement is amazing and the communication was great throughout the event.

    May 2022
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  • Sas Carey

    Thank you, DOXA, for screening the premiere of Gobi Women's Song. I loved the audience's questions during the Q&A and the other films I got to view. I appreciated the land acknowledgement before each film. Vancouver is a beautiful city and contrary to the weather forecast on my phone, it never rained while I was there.

    May 2022
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  • Lance Kramer

    We had a truly wonderful time at DOXA. Vancouver is a beautiful city, the venues are impeccable, and creates the perfect environment to host a festival. Everyone at the festival was so welcoming and thoughtful in their presentation of our film and curation of all of the programs. We loved meeting the other filmmakers and all the discussions and connections that transpired over the weekend. Most importantly, I saw truly beautiful and moving films that will stay in my mind and in my heart for a long time to come.

    May 2022
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  • Jorge Ayala-Isaza

    Presenting my work at DOXA Documentary Film Festival was an excellent experience. I would like to thank the staff for their support and professionalism.

    June 2021
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