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 25th annual DOXA Documentary Film Festival will take place April 30 thru May 10, 2026.

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.

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 Best Canadian Documentary
Nigel Moore Award for Youth Programming
Vancouver Film Studio Award

Total prize value to be determined.

Rules & Terms

*Films completed after January 1, 2025 are prioritized.

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

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

*Rough cuts are eligible ONLY IF final cuts will be available by March 13, 2026.

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

*Please enclose a brief synopsis and screening history.

*Please include any relevant documentation that will provide our Programming Collective with helpful context for evaluating your film (e.g., letter of intent, press kit, etc.).

*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, 2026.

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.
17 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
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Networking
  • tanner zurkoski

    Could not be more thankful to have premiered Illustrated Legacies: Graveyard of the Pacific at Doxa this year. The whole festival team was incredibly helpful and communication was great throughout.
    Wonderful experience, thank you!

    May 2026
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  • John Dippong

    DOXA is a very well-run, well attended festival. I'm happy to report that our small film (The Originals) was handled exceptionally well in terms of scheduling, venues, and screening support. DOXA audiences are well-informed, respectful and highly engaged. Our whole experience was excellent, and we're super thankful for DOXA's support!

    August 2024
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  • Mustafa Uzuner

    Being part of DOXA was a great experience. Everyone was incredibly friendly and hospitable, and the dedication of all involved was truly impressive.

    May 2024
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  • Ali Grant

    DOXA is a fabulous festival for filmmakers and it was an absolute thrill to have the world premiere of Not Quite That at DOXA 2023. The team felt so well taken care of from beginning to end. We had two sold out screenings (and a third added!) at wonderful venues with incredible audience participation in the Q and A's. It was so meaningful to have all the doc participants be there and be seen. The quality of the programming was excellent and I loved being able to watch so many great films.

    June 2023
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  • 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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