Our focus is the documentary genre in all its manifestations. Doc Only festival is dedicated to showcasing the best and most innovative work of independent filmmakers, and we are proud to offer a platform for these talented artists to share their unique stories with a global audience.
We welcome filmmakers from every corner of the globe to submit their work to our festival.

The festival’s goal is to create a warm, open atmosphere in which filmmakers, fans, critics, and producers can watch the films of emerging talents, explore new cinematic techniques and styles, and award cinematic excellence.

The Documentary Only Film Festival will create an intimate atmosphere in which to revel in the beauty and wonder of the cinema with like-minded cineastes from all over the globe.

We are located in Copenhagen, Denmark

Awards & Prizes

Audience Awards and Jury Prizes at a live event in Copenhagen.

Best Short Documentary Film
Best Feature Documentary Film
Best Micro Short Documentary Film
Best Director of a Documentary Film
Best Director Debut in a Documentary Film
Best Director Of Photography in a Documentary Film
Best Documentary Producer
Best Documentary Student Film
Best Documentary Film in Experimental genre
Best Documentary Film in Human Rights genre
Best Documentary Film in Environment genre
Best Documentary Film in War Drama genre
Best Documentary Film in Society genre
Best Documentary Film LGBTQ+
Best Documentary Animated Film
Best Documentary Web/TV-Series
Best Documentary Photography

Rules & Terms

-All non-English language films must be subtitled in English.
-Entry does not guarantee acceptance into the festival.
-We also accept submissions that have premiered elsewhere and that may have distribution agreements already in place.
-You are the creator/owner of the film, or you are authorized by the creator/owner of the film to submit it.
-Multiple entries are allowed.
9 Reviews
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  • MI ZHOU

    Thank you so much to the Doc Only team for nominating my film for Best Feature Documentary! It is a tremendous honor to be recognized, and I highly recommend this festival to other independent documentary filmmakers.

    May 2026
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  • eva stocker-füzesi

    At a time when anti-Semitism is flaring up around the world, the nomination of our documentary "The War Against the Jews" for this award is a testament to the jury members’ determination and conviction that we must never forget this chapter in human history—the lowest point of civilization—and that we must do everything in our power to ensure it never happens again. We thank you for this, dear friends.
    Eva Stocker-Füzesi

    May 2026
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  • Mokhless Al-Hariri

    We extend enthusiastic thanks to the Doc Only Film festival!
    We are very appreciative that *Chanting of the Dunes*, our multiple award-winning film, received additional nomination laurels for "Best Feature Documentary" from the festival.
    Our entire film team is extremely honored by this meaningful recognition.
    Best,

    June 2025
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  • Serj Abdul-Jabbar

    Save your money. According to FF my film was chosen as a nominee but I never received any communication about this festival

    June 2025
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  • Christopher Cibelli

    A great festival and an honor to be included. Thank you.

    June 2025
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