DocLands Documentary Film Festival

Presented by the California Film Institute, DOCLANDS Documentary Film Festival brings compelling stories and the provocative insight behind them to Marin County, CA.

The fully in-person, in-theatre DocLands is scheduled to take place April 30 - May 4, 2025 to again deliver an inspiring slate of events that engages our members and patrons, supports filmmakers and our valued partners, and bolsters the documentary film community.

The DocLands film slate of recently completed films is non-competitive and non-juried, with one overall Audience Choice Award. Dedicated to building connections and partnerships to invigorate the business and art of nonfiction filmmaking, DocLands aims to build an active, inclusive, and fully supportive community around documentary film through public screenings, engaged conversations, grassroots networking, and our signature pitching forum DocPitch (https://filmfreeway.com/DocPitchAtDocLands). DocLands showcases documentary film with a diversity of content, within three main programming sections: Art of Impact, The Great Outdoors, and WonderLands.

The DocLands film slate of recently completed films is non-competitive and non-juried, with one overall Audience Choice Award.

SUBMISSION PROCESS
DocLands entries will be accepted only via upload through the FilmFreeway submission platform. No DVDs or external links will be considered.

PROGRAMMING REQUIREMENTS
Programming emphasizes new works in documentary features and shorts.
• Feature-length entries (45 minutes and over) that have been or will have been exhibited theatrically or otherwise made available to the general public, either for free or for purchase, prior to DocLands dates may not be eligible to submit to this category. This includes, but is not limited to, public theatrical release or exhibition, television broadcast, home video, or any digital platform. Exceptions may be made under special circumstances.
• Entries accepted for DocLands will NOT be eligible for inclusion in the Mill Valley Film Festival, nor will films be eligible for DocLands if they've screened at Mill Valley FF.
• DocLands does not pay rental fees. Instead, our resources are invested in the production and promotion of the best possible showcase for your work. Films may subsequently be considered for theatrical runs at our year-round venue, the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center.
• Films may be screened more than once during the festival
• Industrial, promotional or instructional films are NOT eligible.
• Films must have been completed after October 1, 2023.
• Filmmakers are responsible for providing an exhibition-quality file for online or for in-theater screenings, a DCP ONLY.
• Filmmakers will be notified via email of entry status by approximately April 15, 2025.
• Once a film is accepted it may not be withdrawn.
• If selected to screen in the festival, you may be asked to provide an electronic press kit.
• Theatrical exhibition prints must be sent to the Festival prepaid. Online transfer of DCPs is strongly preferred. Generally we do not accept shipments of drives outside of North America.
• In case of loss or damage during the Festival, the responsibility of the Festival is limited to the costs of repair or replacement of the theatrical print only.

All invited participants must comply with the California Film Institute Code of Conduct: https://www.doclands.com/code-of-conduct/

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Jacob Patrick

This festival was an incredible experience. Joni, the festival director was so incredibly kind and communicative. We felt welcomed and appreciated, above and beyond! Couldn't recommend this festival for Documentary filmmakers more.

May 2025

Helpful

Response from festival:

Oh my, THANK YOU, Jacob!
It was our honour and delight to be able to share your gorgeous film with our very enthusiastic audience! I was thrilled that they loved SONO LINO as much as I do! And the icing on the cake was having you and Lano here to share your incredible Lino stories. You certainly had a grand experience making the film, thank you for sharing that grandness with us all. You tell a great story on and off film :)) Grazie mille!!
Kristin Tieche

We had such an incredible experience world premiering our film "The Invisible Mammal" at DocLands! We felt so appreciated and taken care of. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. Thank you, so much DocLands, for making our world premiere such an immense success.

May 2025

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Response from festival:

Thank you, Kristin!
We were so very honoured to host your World Premiere with you and your cast and crew! It was such fun for us to see the enthusiasm you and your film garnered for our furry little bat friends :) We also hope the well-deserved DocLands Audience Award will assist in taking this message of conservation even further!
Daniel Freed

From the first communication to the final party, premiering I HOPE THIS HELPS! at DocLands was like a cool breeze. Joni and her team put on an amazing festival that cares deeply about filmmakers and about showcasing the best in documentary films. We were honored to be selected and so happy to have been able to attend!

July 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank YOU, Daniel! It was such a pleasure and honor to premiere you delightful, hard-hitting film at DocLands. I HOPE THIS HELPS was not only entertaining for all, but truly eye-opening! We're delighted to hear that your DocLands experience swept over you like the cool breeze we're all wishing for now. If it weren't for you and the other filmmakers, we'd be an empty vessel -- we loved having you and Brendan here with us!
Lisa Landers

Fantastic festival!! What a gift it was to be able to screen our film here, and even be invited back for an encore presentation. The festival is so well run and fun. The Rafael theater is wonderful... that magical mix of high capacity (300+ seats) and an intimate feel. Not to mention state-of-the-art projection and sound. The festival programmed so many great docs. I just wish I had had more time to see more of them!

June 2024

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Response from festival:

Thank YOU, Lisa!
Your film captured the lives of Redwoods so completely -- and so beautifully cinematic! And being in Marin where Redwoods are beloved, the audience responded with such love and admiration. It blew us all away :) It was an absolute honour to help you present your film to our appreciative audiences that included the entire staff of CAFILM. Wowzers. Such a celebration! Please come back to be able to enjoy ALL the amazing films at DocLands ... I promise, we'll do it all again next year!
Matthew Boyd

Joni, Tally, Shelley, Sterling, and the rest of the staff were lovely throughout the process, always quick to respond with answers to questions. It was a great line up of films, hoping to return with my feature, Barren Grounds.

May 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank YOU, Matt!
We're delighted you were able to be here for your screening - and also glad to hear you enjoyed other filmmakers' works. We're excited to see BARREN GROUNDS! Please keep us in the loop - and don't forget, as an alumni, a fee waiver awaits :))