Sheffield DocFest to get £100,000 council funding to return to city in 2027
The event saw around 45 thousand people attend this year
Last updated 3rd Sep 2026
An international film festival based in Sheffield will get a £100,000 grant from the city council to ensure it will take place again in the city next year.
Sheffield DocFest, which brings documentary film-makers from around the world to the Showroom Cinema and city centre in June every year, has been running for 33 years.
The city council has made a £100,000 grant to the festival for the past three years.
The economic development, skills and culture policy committee agreed to a one-year extension to support the 2027 festival.
A report to the committee said: “Sheffield DocFest is a long-established, major cultural event in Sheffield’s annual programme and contributes to the city’s cultural profile, visitor economy and creative industries sector.”
Figures for 2026 announced by DocFest describe it as a record-breaking year, with 45,000 people attending, 107 films shown from 66 countries and 45 world premieres.
Big names who came to Sheffield this year included star actors Maxine Peake, Miriam Margolyes and Michael Sheen, wildlife broadcaster Chris Packham and football legend Eric Cantona.
The council report said:
“Its reported direct economic impact in 2025 was approximately £2.61 million, rising to an estimated total economic impact of approximately £3.27 million, with GVA (Gross Value Added) of around £1.17 million.”
Future funding beyond 2027 will be decided separately, the committee heard.
It will form part of a decision over the future of the council’s major events programme to be taken in the next few months.
The £100,000 grant comes from the events programme budget.
Sheffield DocFest 2027 comes to the city from June 9 to 14.