WORLD DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL
Athens, Greece | January 15-17, 2027
Organized by the Institute for Experimental Arts
OPEN CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
"The camera is an instrument for exploring the actual happenings of real life."
— Dziga Vertov
"The stories we tell about our past shape our understanding of the present and our vision for the future."
— Ken Burns
"The camera is a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all forms of social domination."
— Santiago Álvarez
Since its earliest days, documentary cinema has served as more than mere recording. From Dziga Vertov's experiments with film-truth in the 1920s to Chris Marker's essay films, from the workers' newsreels to cinéma vérité movements of the 1960s, documentary has functioned as a tool for documenting lived experience, social conditions, and perspectives often excluded from dominant narratives.
The World Documentary Festival, organized by the Institute for Experimental Arts, seeks to continue this tradition by providing a platform for filmmakers engaged with the documentary form as witness, testimony, and critical inquiry. We invite works that turn their attention toward underrepresented communities, marginalized histories, and social realities that demand visibility. We seek films that understand documentary not simply as neutral observation but as a form capable of bearing witness to the complexity of human experience across borders and contexts.
Documentary has historically given voice to those outside centers of power—documenting labor struggles, migration, social movements, environmental change, and everyday lives shaped by political and economic forces. This festival welcomes work in this lineage: films that record, investigate, and reflect on the world with attention to those whose stories have been overlooked or deliberately obscured.
CATEGORIES:
Feature Documentary (40+ minutes)
Short Documentary (under 40 minutes)
Experimental Documentary (all lengths)
Archival & Found Footage Works
Video Essay & Essayistic Documentary
Biographical Documentary
WE WELCOME:
Films about LGBTQI+ experiences and histories, grassroots organizing, labor and economic justice, migration and displacement, ecological crises, feminist perspectives, working-class histories, Indigenous knowledge, urban transformation, and all forms of social practice that challenge established narratives.
Biographical films documenting the lives of artists, scientists, thinkers, activists, and individuals whose stories contribute to our understanding of human experience.
Educational documentaries exploring topics such as space exploration, natural sciences, history of art and cinema, technology, culture, and knowledge in all its forms.
Works that experiment with documentary form, that question the relationship between image and truth, between filmmaker and subject.
Films from all regions and perspectives that contribute to a transnational understanding of contemporary documentary practice.
AWARDS:
Best Feature Documentary
Best Short Documentary
Best Experimental Documentary
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Submission deadline: October 15, 2026
Submission platform: FilmFreeway
Festival dates: January 15-17, 2027
Venue: Athens, Greece
Language: All languages accepted
Subtitles: English subtitles required (embedded in video file, not as separate file)
Submission fee: 30 EUR
SUBMISSION RULES & REGULATIONS:
Subtitles: English subtitles must be embedded/burned into the video file (not as separate file). This applies to all films, including those originally in English.
Premiere Status: Films that have been screened at other festivals or platforms are welcome. Premiere status is not required.
Technical Requirements:
File format: HD quality (1080p minimum recommended)
Accepted formats: MP4, MOV, AVI
Submission Fee: 30 EUR (non-refundable)
Selection Notification: Selected filmmakers will be notified by December 15, 2026.
By submitting, filmmakers grant the festival the right to:
Screen submitted films during the festival
Use film stills, photographs, and excerpts for promotional purposes
Use images and photographs of the directors for advertising and promotional materials on the festival website, social media, and media outlets
LIVE IN THE WDF: FILMMAKER RESIDENCY PROGRAM
The World Documentary Festival is pleased to offer 10 free accommodation spaces in Athens for filmmakers who wish to attend the festival, engage with the local cinematography community, and present their work in person.
Filmmakers will have the opportunity to screen their films and participate in the festival's public program. We also invite filmmakers to propose a lecture, workshop, or presentation to share their practice and ideas with audiences and fellow artists.
Accommodation includes: One week stay in Athens (January 12-19, 2027)
How to apply: If you are interested in this opportunity, please send an email with the subject line "LIVE IN THE WDF" including:
Your name and film title
A brief description of your proposed lecture/workshop/presentation (maximum 200 words)
A link to your homepage, portfolio, or any materials that represent your work
This is a unique opportunity to connect with the vibrant documentary and experimental film community in Athens and to share your artistic vision with engaged audiences.
ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR EXPERIMENTAL ARTS:
The Institute for Experimental Arts is a cultural association based in Athens dedicated to supporting experimental and politically engaged artistic practice. We organize annual festivals including the International Video Poetry Festival and the International Experimental Film Festival, fostering international dialogue and exchange in contemporary art forms.
CONTACT:
docfilmfesttdf@gmail.com
Best Feature Documentary
Best Short Documentary
Best Experimental Documentary
