As one of the most famous documentary festivals in the world, Sheffield DocFest brings thousands of people to the city each year.
This year’s event saw 51 world premieres, 16 international premieres, eight European premieres, and 39 UK premieres take place here in Sheffield, over six days.
More documentary enthusiasts attended than ever before to watch films, but Industry attendance also rose with more than 2,000 delegates from 81 countries attending.
Marcus Lenz, Co-Director of Shards of Light, spoke about the importance of the festival to people in the industry. He said that ‘Sheffield is a very good starting point’ for a documentary-maker. The festival offers important networking opportunities for creatives.
He also spoke of the ‘amazing opportunity’ it was see so many documentaries and the experiences of so many people from across the world, in one place, over a few day. He said ‘I think this is the magic of cinema’.
Marcus, alongside his Co-Director Mila Teshaieva were in Sheffield for the world premier of their documentary, Shards of Light. The film explores the aftermath of war in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, focusing on the resilience of its residents as they rebuild their lives amid trauma, loss, and ongoing conflict.
Through intimate stories, it portrays a community grappling with the scars of occupation while clinging to hope, unity, and the fragile promise of democracy.