An IMDb-qualifying documentary and docudrama competition.

Now in its 14th year, Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival is dedicated to DOCUMENTARIES and DOCUDRAMAS ONLY, with the exception of our screenplay categories, which may be submitted in any genre.

As a documentary filmmaker, you have an important message. Our goal is to help you deliver it to the people who matter.

DWBIFF is not a traditional festival that spends most of its resources on venue rental, parties, or seminars. We are a web-based documentary competition focused on recognition, feedback, marketability, and helping strong nonfiction films find a path forward. When distributors request a live screening for market research, we can arrange it, but our primary effort goes into reviewing films carefully and opening doors for top-scoring work.

WHY FILMMAKERS SUBMIT TO DWBIFF

- IMDb-qualifying festival
- 14 years running
- Documentary and docudrama focused
- Paid judges, not unpaid volunteers
- Feedback for rejected films
- Free corrected resubmission when eligible
- Distributor review for select top winners
- Optional WRPN.tv exposure
- Separate recognition for major documentary categories and craft sub-categories

Every submission is reviewed by paid judges. We do not use unpaid volunteers to judge your work. Each film is evaluated on its own merits, using a performance-based scoring system. Your film is not simply compared against another filmmaker’s film. Judges look at what your film is trying to accomplish and how well it succeeds.

FEEDBACK AND FREE RESUBMISSION

Most festivals reject films without telling filmmakers why. DWBIFF was built differently.

Everyone who submits receives one of two outcomes:

1. Your film is competition caliber and becomes an Official Selection.
2. You receive a letter explaining what is preventing your film from being accepted.

If you can make the suggested corrections, you may resubmit the corrected version for FREE, either before the eligible deadline or during the following season, according to festival rules.

This feedback process is designed to help documentary filmmakers improve their festival acceptance chances, strengthen their films, and increase their marketability.

MAJOR DOCUMENTARY CATEGORIES

DWBIFF includes multiple Major Categories for documentary, docudrama, screenplay, and specialty nonfiction submissions.

Only films submitted in a Major Category are eligible for Best of Festival consideration, Best of Show consideration, distributor review, and optional WRPN.tv exposure.

Not sure where your film fits? Choose the closest Major Category. Judges may also recognize additional strengths such as cinematography, editing, research, original concept, original score, viewer impact, and other production elements.

SUB-CATEGORIES

DWBIFF also offers reduced-rate sub-category submissions for specific craft and production achievements, such as cinematography, editing, original score, research, original concept, viewer impact, and similar areas.

Please note: sub-category-only submissions are for craft recognition only. They do not qualify for Best of Festival, Best of Show, distributor review, or optional WRPN.tv screening consideration unless the film is also entered in a Major Category.

DISTRIBUTOR REVIEW FOR TOP WINNERS

Select Best of Festival winners in the Major Categories, based on sufficient qualified entries, receive guaranteed distributor review consideration through our distribution associates.

Distributor review may include consideration by companies and associates such as Worldwide Motion Pictures Corporation for features, Adler & Associates for shorts and features, Cardinal XD, CCS Releasing, and other WRPN.tv network distribution contacts.

This distributor review is offered at no extra cost to eligible top winners. DWBIFF does not require filmmakers to sign a contract for this review. We open the door, but we do not control whether a distributor offers a deal, requests more information, or chooses to pass.

OPTIONAL WRPN.tv EXPOSURE

In conjunction with WRPN.tv Entertainment Network, select winning films may be offered optional online exposure to a worldwide community of video viewers from dozens of countries.

WRPN.tv exposure is optional. Filmmakers retain the right to decide whether they want their work considered for online presentation.

DOCUDRAMAS WELCOME

DWBIFF is one of the few festivals with a separate category for docudramas. If your film combines documentary truth with dramatic reconstruction or scripted interpretation, this may be the right category for your work.

SCREENPLAYS

Although DWBIFF is dedicated to documentaries and docudramas for film/video submissions, our screenplay categories are open to submissions in any genre.

We accept unproduced and produced feature-length screenplays, short scripts, and other eligible written works according to the category rules. Top screenplay winners may be submitted for production consideration where applicable. Rejected screenplays may also receive feedback and may be eligible for free resubmission after correction.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival is not affiliated in any way with Doctors Without Borders. Doctors Without Borders is a registered trademark of Bureau International De Médecins Sans Frontières.

FINAL NOTE

DWBIFF exists for serious documentary filmmakers who want more than a laurel. If your film has something important to say, we want to review it carefully, recognize its strengths, help you understand any weaknesses, and give top-scoring work a chance to move beyond a one-time festival showing.

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS & PRIZES

Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival recognizes outstanding documentary and docudrama work through Official Selections, category awards, top festival honors, craft awards, and select distributor review opportunities.

OFFICIAL SELECTION

Films selected for competition may receive Official Selection status.

Official Selection means the film has met DWBIFF’s competition standard and has been accepted for judging and recognition within its eligible category.

MAJOR CATEGORY AWARDS

Films submitted in a Major Category are eligible for the following award levels, based on judging results and category qualification:

- Best of Festival
- Best of Show
- Award of Outstanding Excellence
- Award of Excellence
- Award of Exceptional Merit
- Award of Merit
- Kudos Endeavor Award

Award placement is based on the quality of the submission, judging scores, category eligibility, and the number of qualified entries received.

BEST OF FESTIVAL

Best of Festival is DWBIFF’s highest award level.

Best of Festival winners are selected from top-scoring entries in the Major Categories, based on sufficient qualified competition.

Select Best of Festival winners may receive guaranteed distributor review consideration through DWBIFF distribution associates.

BEST OF SHOW

Best of Show recognizes top-scoring films within eligible Major Categories.

Best of Show winners may be considered for further recognition, including Best of Festival consideration, when sufficient qualified competition exists.

EXCELLENCE AND MERIT AWARDS

Awards of Outstanding Excellence, Excellence, Exceptional Merit, Merit, and Kudos Endeavor may be granted to films that demonstrate strong documentary value, craft achievement, subject importance, emotional impact, research quality, originality, or technical merit.

These awards allow DWBIFF to recognize films that may be strong in different ways, even when they are not selected for Best of Festival or Best of Show.

SUB-CATEGORY AWARDS

DWBIFF also recognizes specific craft and production achievements through reduced-rate sub-categories, including areas such as:

- Cinematography
- Editing
- Original Score
- Research
- Original Concept
- Viewer Impact
- Other documentary craft and production elements

Sub-category awards are for craft recognition only.

Sub-category-only submissions are not eligible for Best of Festival, Best of Show, distributor review, or optional WRPN.tv exposure unless the film is also submitted in a Major Category.

DISTRIBUTOR REVIEW FOR SELECT TOP WINNERS

Select Best of Festival winners in the Major Categories may receive guaranteed distributor review consideration through DWBIFF distribution associates.

Distributor review may include consideration by companies and associates such as Worldwide Motion Pictures Corporation, Adler & Associates, Cardinal XD, CCS Releasing, and other WRPN.tv network distribution contacts.

This review is offered at no extra cost to eligible top winners.

DWBIFF does not guarantee a distribution deal, production deal, purchase, contract, response, or business relationship. DWBIFF opens the door for eligible top-winning films to be reviewed, but all distributor decisions are made independently by the distributor or associate.

OPTIONAL WRPN.tv EXPOSURE

Select winning films may be offered optional exposure through WRPN.tv Entertainment Network.

WRPN.tv exposure is optional. Filmmakers may decide whether they want their film considered for online presentation.

CERTIFICATES

Award certificates may be available to order.

Ordering certificates is optional and is not required to receive award recognition.

AWARD LIMITATIONS

Entry into any category does not guarantee Official Selection, award placement, distributor review, WRPN.tv exposure, or screening.

The number of awards granted at any level may vary depending on the number and quality of submissions received.

If there is insufficient qualified competition in a category, DWBIFF reserves the right to withhold, combine, or adjust awards in that category.

SCREENPLAY AWARDS

Screenplay submissions are eligible for recognition under the rules of their respective categories.

Top screenplay winners may receive additional consideration opportunities where applicable. Rejected screenplay submissions may receive feedback and may be eligible for free corrected resubmission according to festival instructions.

FINAL AWARD DECISIONS

All award decisions are final.

DWBIFF reserves the right to adjust award levels, category groupings, prize opportunities, and recognition procedures as needed to maintain fairness, clarity, and festival standards.

Rules & Terms

RULES & TERMS

Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival is dedicated to DOCUMENTARIES and DOCUDRAMAS ONLY, with the exception of screenplay categories, which may be submitted in any genre.

Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival is not affiliated in any way with Doctors Without Borders. Doctors Without Borders is a registered trademark of Bureau International De Médecins Sans Frontières.

ELIGIBILITY

DWBIFF accepts documentary films, docudramas, documentary shorts, documentary features, and eligible screenplay submissions.

Films submitted in a language other than English must include English subtitles, English dubbing, or an English transcript.

The person or company submitting the film confirms that they have the legal right to submit the project and that all necessary rights, permissions, clearances, music rights, image rights, and releases have been secured.

DWBIFF reserves the right to refuse any entry.

MAJOR CATEGORIES

Films submitted in one of the Major Categories are eligible for:

- Official Selection consideration
- Best of Show consideration
- Best of Festival consideration
- Distributor review consideration for select top winners
- Optional WRPN.tv exposure consideration

Major Category submissions are judged on the full film and its overall documentary or docudrama merit.

SUB-CATEGORIES

Reduced-rate sub-category submissions are available for craft and production recognition, such as cinematography, editing, original score, research, original concept, viewer impact, and similar achievements.

Sub-category-only submissions are not eligible for:

- Best of Festival
- Best of Show
- Distributor review
- Optional WRPN.tv screening or exposure

If you want your film considered for top awards, distributor review, or optional WRPN.tv exposure, you must submit the film in a Major Category.

JUDGING

All judges are paid. DWBIFF does not use unpaid volunteers to judge submissions.

Entries are judged on their own individual merits using a performance-based scoring system. Films are not judged simply by comparing one filmmaker’s work against another. Judges evaluate what each film is trying to accomplish and how well it succeeds.

Entry into any category does not guarantee Official Selection, nomination, award placement, distributor review, WRPN.tv exposure, or screening.

The number of awards granted at any level may vary depending on the number and quality of submissions received for each deadline and category.

If there is insufficient qualified competition in a category, DWBIFF reserves the right to withhold a Best of Festival or Best of Show award in that category.

FEEDBACK AND FREE RESUBMISSION

DWBIFF offers feedback to rejected submissions.

If your film is not accepted, you may receive a letter explaining what is preventing it from being accepted. If you are able to make the suggested corrections, you may resubmit the corrected version for free, either before the eligible deadline or during the following season, according to festival instructions.

Free resubmission applies only to corrected versions of the same project and is subject to DWBIFF approval.

DISTRIBUTOR REVIEW

Select Best of Festival winners in the Major Categories may receive guaranteed distributor review consideration through DWBIFF distribution associates.

Distributor review may include consideration by companies and associates such as Worldwide Motion Pictures Corporation, Adler & Associates, Cardinal XD, CCS Releasing, and other WRPN.tv network distribution contacts.

DWBIFF provides the opportunity for eligible top-winning films to be reviewed, but DWBIFF does not guarantee a distribution offer, production offer, purchase, contract, reply, or business relationship.

DWBIFF has no control over whether any distributor, production company, finance company, or associate chooses to respond, pass, request more information, or make an offer.

No distributor review requires the filmmaker to sign a contract with DWBIFF.

The Event Date is the date of our online results/awards announcement and may coincide with the Notification Date.

WRPN.tv EXPOSURE

Select winning films may be offered optional exposure through WRPN.tv Entertainment Network.

WRPN.tv exposure is optional. Filmmakers may decide whether they want their work considered for online presentation.

By submitting, the filmmaker grants DWBIFF permission to use short clips, stills, poster art, trailers, loglines, and excerpts from accepted films for festival promotional purposes.

SCREENPLAYS

Screenplay categories may be submitted in any genre.

DWBIFF accepts eligible feature-length screenplays, short scripts, and other written works according to the category rules.

Rejected screenplay submissions may receive feedback and may be eligible for free resubmission after correction, according to festival instructions.

REFUNDS AND WITHDRAWALS

Submission fees are used for judging, administration, and processing.

If you withdraw your submission before it is officially selected, you may request a refund.

If you withdraw your submission after it has been officially selected, no refund will be issued.

Submission fees are not refundable because a film is not selected, does not receive an award, does not receive distributor review, or is not offered WRPN.tv exposure.

AWARDS AND CERTIFICATES

Award certificates may be available to order. Ordering certificates is optional.

Award placement is based on judging results, category eligibility, and the quality of submissions received.

DWBIFF reserves the right to adjust award levels, withhold awards, or combine categories when appropriate.

LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY

By submitting to DWBIFF, the submitter agrees to hold Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival, WRPN.tv, Roman Pictures, judges, staff, affiliates, and associates harmless from any claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, or expenses related to the submitted project.

This includes, but is not limited to, claims involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity rights, privacy rights, music rights, image rights, screening rights, or ownership disputes.

FINAL AGREEMENT

By submitting to the Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to all festival rules and terms.

DWBIFF reserves the right to update rules, categories, judging procedures, award levels, and festival operations as needed.

239 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Ron Perrin

    We were thrilled to see our film selected and then go on to win!
    Thanks for a great Festival!

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Priyanka Tiona

    We extend our deepest gratitude to the Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival team for awarding Matahari — The Sun of Tiganderket the Outstanding Excellence Award in the Biography category at the 2025 edition of the festival.

    This recognition means a great deal to us, and we are thankful for the festival’s continued support of independent filmmakers and culturally relevant storytelling. We hope the festival continues to thrive and to uplift voices that bring important narratives to the forefront.

    We also hope this award helps the film reach broader audiences and become a source of inspiration for many.

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • NewsFlash Joe Emilio

    Thank you so much for awarding my documentary the Exceptional Merit Award. As a first time filmmaker, this recognition means a great deal to me and represents a significant milestone in my journey.

    I am especially grateful that you gave my documentary an opportunity. Where I am based, local film festivals have not been willing to engage with the film, despite the importance of the story being told. Your recognition not only validates the work, but also helps give this documentary a stronger voice and wider credibility.

    It was truly an honour to be part of your festival. The professionalism, clear communication, and overall experience were excellent from start to finish.

    Thank you again for supporting independent filmmakers and meaningful storytelling.

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • P.S. and Kathy Foley

    Vert grateful for the timing of our award!

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • editha caduaya

    I have been a journalist for over three decades, and Beneath the Badge marks my debut as a documentary filmmaker.

    Winning the Outstanding Excellence Award at the Documentaries Without Borders Film Festival is both humbling and empowering. It has strengthened not only my own resolve, but also the spirit of filmmakers in my region—especially women who continue to break barriers in storytelling.

    I am deeply honored to be part of the Winter 2026 competition.

    Thank you, DWB, for recognizing voices that strive to tell stories with truth, courage, and purpose.

    March 2026
    Helpful