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 3, 2026 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.

Awards & Prizes

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

Rules & Terms

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, 2024.
• Filmmakers are responsible for providing an exhibition-quality file in-theater screenings. It must be in the format of a DCP ONLY.
• Filmmakers will be notified via email of entry status by approximately April 15, 2026.
• 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/
21 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Erik Castro

    DocLands Documentary Film Festival is exactly the kind of independent film festival I wish there were more of — a thoughtfully curated selection of films presented in a theater complex with three screening rooms, each equipped with state-of-the-art sound and projection. Thankfully, the festival runs DCP, so everything is heard and seen exactly as intended.

    What stood out most was how much care and respect each film received. Seeing my movie poster displayed in the box office window and at the entrance to the screening made the experience feel like a major release. The Q&A following my sold-out screening was especially memorable. Sterling Hedgpeth led a thoughtful and engaging discussion filled with insightful questions about the film, and nearly the entire audience stayed for the duration, which made it feel incredibly meaningful and rewarding.

    Joni Cooper was also incredibly supportive throughout the process, responding quickly to questions and enthusiastically sharing many of the high-quality social media stories and reels I created to help promote the screening. I truly felt the festival matched the effort I put into promoting the film, which likely contributed to the screening selling out two weeks in advance.

    Overall, it was one of the best festival experiences I’ve had — a packed, film-loving audience in a vibrant area with plenty of places to gather afterward and celebrate a successful screening.

    Thank you for supporting CREATING A PHOTOJOURNALIST!

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank YOU, Erik -- first for sharing your most personal film and journey with all of us through DocLands! And second for making my heart sing with your words. What you've described is exactly what we aspire to :) I'm absolutely delighted to read how you felt so much of what you were hoping for in DocLands and for your screening -- and so much of what we were hoping to deliver! We aim to provide the best festival experience ever, so your note helps take us one step closer to it! Thank you.

  • Cynthia Matty-Huber

    We are incredibly grateful to DocLand Film Festival for giving Hard Twist such a memorable place in your festival. Seeing our film screened to a full theater was an unforgettable experience, made even more special by the warmth, enthusiasm, and generosity of the DocLand team.
    From the moment we arrived, the staff went above and beyond to make filmmakers feel welcome and supported. Their professionalism, kindness, and genuine passion for documentary storytelling were evident in every detail of the festival.
    DocLand has created something truly remarkable, a festival that not only showcases outstanding films but also fosters meaningful connections between filmmakers and audiences. The energy in the packed theater and the thoughtful engagement from attendees made the premiere of Hard Twist a highlight we will cherish for years to come.
    Thank you, DocLand, for your hospitality, your dedication to independent cinema, and for providing such an exceptional platform for our film. We are honored to have been part of this outstanding event.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    OMGosh Cynthia, thank YOU!
    We are ever grateful and honored that you chose DocLands, and are so heartened to hear that your experience was a good one! I feel our higher purpose is to support and connect filmmakers, so we're delighted to hear you felt that way :D What you've said makes my heart sing. All of us working together - staff, filmmakers, and audiences - make and share the energy that makes it all so very worthwhile. Thank you!

  • Ben Kalina

    One visit to DocLands and it's now one of my favorite film festivals as a filmmaker. In addition to a wonderful festival screening, we also were a part of the educational program which opened up a screening for several high school classes with a Q&A. And on top of that, through DocLands educational partnership we also received a thoughtful well-developed curriculum to go along with the film.
    I can't say enough about the staff at the festival, the amenities and the care they took to make sure everything went smoothly. If they'll have me, I'll be back.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Ben!!
    It was wunnerful to have you here with us and the students, and I'm delighted that as well as sharing your film with our audiences, you received something in return in the way of Q&As and a curriculum! And YES! We'll have you back anytime, please keep us in the loop of upcoming projects -- whether it takes you another 10 years or not ;)) All the very best with it all.

  • Jesse Lauter

    A truly first-class festival experience from start to finish. The DocLands team took incredible care of us, the communication was thoughtful and seamless, and the audience was deeply engaged. Having our film screen at the beautiful Smith Rafael Film Center- genuinely one of the great cinemas in America- made the experience even more special. Could not recommend DocLands more highly.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank YOU, Jesse!!
    This is what we aim for! I am so very glad that you felt so well cared for - and grateful for your highest recommendation! Wowzers! The sold-out crowd appreciated your fulsome story of Little Feat - they really are an incredible group of musicians and wonderful human beans, who have been under-appreciated ... until now! We look forward to seeing you and your work at DocLands and the Rafael again soon. Please do keep us in the loop of your upcoming projects :D

  • Abraham Joffe

    I couldn’t speak more highly of Doclands Film Festival. Joni and the entire team were incredibly inclusive and made the whole experience wonderful — a deeply caring group of people who not only want to program an eclectic mix of important documentaries, but ensure that screenings are well supported by community partners and draw fabulously engaged Bay Area audiences. Thank you so much, Doclands. I can only hope my next film brings me back so I can experience all of this again. Cheers, Abraham Joffe - Director of TRADE SECRET

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    And we can only hope you will be back soonest!
    Thank you for bestowing such enormous accolades upon DocLands! And thank YOU for bringing such an important film to share with our audiences. We hope the screening and our audience help you get the word further out into the world, and gain new eyes to the issues included in the message of your film. Our our very best for your next project!