Sheffield DocFest funding uncertain after 2027

Sheffield's world-renowned documentary film festival will receive public money for one more year, but Sheffield City Council has said it cannot commit to funding the event past 2027.

DocFest received financial support from the authority as part of a three-year agreement, covering the 2024, 2025 and 2026 festivals.

However, after that agreement came to an end the council has now only agreed to give a one-year extension, with £100,000 of funding.

Officers said the agreement does not commit the council to any further funding and they are working on a new strategy for all the major events in the city.

Now in its 33rd year, the festival brings members of the public and industry delegates to Sheffield for up to six days.

Famous names who attended this year included Miriam Margolyes, Chris Packham, Maxine Peake and Heaven 17.

The council said it had given DocFest support "over a sustained period", previously commtting £150,000 per year before cutting that to £100,000 in 2022.

A report said: "The proposed extension is a time-limited continuation of an existing grant arrangement.

"It does not create a new multi-year commitment beyond the 2027 festival and does not commit the council to any further funding.

"We expect to bring a more strategic update on the future of the major events programme to committee later in the municipal year, which we expect to cover the approach the agreement with DocFest beyond 2027."

DocFest said its council funding was subject to regular renewal.

"At present we will receive £100,000 in 2027 to run the festival 9 to 14 June with passes for our 34th edition going on sale next week," it said in a statement.

"This is the same amount as previous years. We are in discussion with the council about the next cycle of funding for the 2028 festival onwards.

"We continue to make a huge contribution to Sheffield's economy - in 2025 the festival generated £2.6m for the city."

The 2025 festival reported 45,595 admissions and 2,407 industry delegates with 30% of delegates attending internationally from 80 countries.

The council report added: "DocFest is a long-established major cultural event and contributes to the city's cultural profile, visitor economy and creative industries sector.

"It is one of the world's most influential markets for documentary projects, celebrating the art and business of documentary and non-fiction storytelling."

The additional funding will be met from the council's major events budget and will support early planning and preparations for the 2027 festival.

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