DocsBarcelona Documentary Film Festival 2027 – Spain

DocsBarcelona Documentary Film Festival 2027 will celebrate the 30th edition of Barcelona’s leading international documentary film festival. The event brings contemporary non-fiction cinema, documentary filmmakers, producers, distributors, industry professionals and audiences together in cinemas and cultural venues across Barcelona.

The festival is particularly known for combining public screenings with professional development. Alongside its competitive film programme, DocsBarcelona presents special screenings, filmmaker conversations, retrospectives, youth programming and DocsBarcelona Pro, creating a festival environment that serves both cinema audiences and the international documentary industry. The organisers describe DocsBarcelona as an international documentary film festival with a professional market and distribution network connecting non-fiction films and filmmakers with audiences.

The 30th edition will also be an anniversary celebration, marking three decades of the festival. The organisers have confirmed that the programme will again include screenings, parallel activities and meetings with filmmakers from around the world.

What to expect

Visitors can expect a festival centred on contemporary documentary storytelling, with films exploring social, political, environmental, cultural and personal subjects.

International documentary cinema

The Official Competition is the main international feature-documentary competition. It brings together recent national and international productions and focuses on major themes, realities and challenges affecting the contemporary world.

Innovative non-fiction

Official Competition – Visions focuses on films that challenge conventional documentary forms through innovative cinematic language and artistic approaches. It is particularly interesting for viewers who enjoy experimental and visually distinctive non-fiction.

Catalan documentaries

Docs&Cat showcases outstanding documentaries produced or co-produced in Catalonia, giving visitors an opportunity to discover the region’s documentary filmmaking community.

Short documentaries

The Short Film Competition provides a dedicated platform for documentary shorts and emerging filmmakers. The festival’s current submission rules specify that eligible documentary shorts must be under 30 minutes and must be Spanish productions or co-productions.

Young audiences

Docs&Teens introduces documentary cinema to viewers aged 12 to 18, creating a dedicated space for younger audiences.

Special events

The festival also includes non-competitive screenings, special premieres, filmmaker encounters and cinematic events.

Professional documentary industry

DocsBarcelona Pro adds an important industry component through professional meetings, financing activities, pitching opportunities, networking and educational programmes.

Festival dates

DocsBarcelona Documentary Film Festival 2027 will take place from April 29 to May 9, 2027, in Barcelona, Spain. The official festival announcement confirms this as the 30th edition of DocsBarcelona.

The organisers have confirmed a programme of screenings, parallel activities and meetings with filmmakers as part of the anniversary edition. DocsBarcelona Pro will also form part of the professional programme surrounding the festival.

The exact timetable for individual films, special sessions and professional activities will be published through the official festival programme as the event approaches.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venues & festival locations

DocsBarcelona is a multi-venue festival, using cinemas and cultural institutions across Barcelona. The final 2027 venue schedule has not yet been fully announced, but recent editions provide a clear indication of the types of locations used.

CCCB

The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona is one of the festival’s principal cultural venues. It has hosted film screenings, professional events, talks and other activities.

Renoir Floridablanca

Renoir Floridablanca is an important festival cinema and has also been used for ticket sales and public screenings.

Filmoteca de Catalunya

The Filmoteca de Catalunya provides a specialist film setting for selected festival screenings, retrospectives and related activities. Filmoteca sessions can have their own ticketing and reservation arrangements.

Zumzeig

Zumzeig is an independent Barcelona cinema that has been included in the festival’s venue network and is particularly associated with independent and auteur cinema.

Mooby Aribau

Mooby Aribau has also hosted DocsBarcelona screenings, providing a larger conventional cinema environment for selected films.

Other cultural venues

Recent editions have used venues including Phenomena, Espai Texas, Cine Texas and Casa Montjuïc. The 2026 edition presented 57 productions across eight venues, demonstrating the festival’s city-wide approach.

Full programme

The complete DocsBarcelona 2027 programme has not yet been announced. However, the official festival information confirms the continuation of its competitive and non-competitive programme structure.

Official Competition

This is the main international competition for feature-length documentaries. It brings contemporary documentary filmmaking from different countries to Barcelona audiences.

Official Competition – Visions

This competition is dedicated to films that use innovative cinematic language and artistic approaches to explore non-fiction.

Short Film Competition

This national competition focuses on documentary short films. Current 2027 submission rules require eligible short films to have a running time of less than 30 minutes and to be Spanish productions or co-productions.

Docs&Cat

This competition showcases documentaries produced or co-produced in Catalonia.

Docs&Teens

This section presents documentaries intended for audiences aged 12 to 18.

Special Sessions

Special Sessions include unique screenings, notable premieres and cinematic events outside the principal competitions.

Retrospective

A major retrospective is part of the festival tradition, although the specific focus for the 2027 anniversary edition has not yet been announced.

Featured films & premieres

The individual 2027 film selection has not yet been announced. The official submission process is currently underway, so specific films should not be described as confirmed selections until DocsBarcelona publishes the programme.

The current 2027 call accepts non-fiction feature films longer than 60 minutes. Documentary shorts must be under 30 minutes and must be Spanish productions or co-productions. Only works produced after January 2026 are eligible, and films previously submitted to DocsBarcelona cannot be resubmitted.

The festival has a strong history of presenting new documentary cinema and premieres. The previous edition included 57 films or productions and welcomed around 100 documentary filmmakers to Barcelona.

The 2027 programme is expected to provide a mixture of international documentaries, Spanish and Catalan productions, short films, innovative non-fiction and special presentations. Until the official selection is released, individual titles and premiere status should be treated as unconfirmed.

Directors, actors & guests

The full list of directors and special guests for DocsBarcelona 2027 has not yet been published.

Filmmaker participation is an important part of the festival. Directors and creative teams regularly attend screenings, introduce their films and participate in conversations with audiences.

The professional side of the festival also brings together producers, distributors, broadcasters, sales agents, programmers and other documentary specialists.

The previous edition demonstrated the international scope of the guest programme. Scottish-Irish filmmaker Mark Cousins received the Docs d’Honor award and presented work, delivered a masterclass and participated in the opening conference of DocsBarcelona Pro.

Visitors should therefore expect filmmaker participation to be an important part of the festival experience, although the confirmed 2027 guest list will only become available with the final programme.

Screening schedule

The detailed 2027 screening schedule has not yet been published.

Once released, the official DocsBarcelona programme will provide individual film titles, screening times, venues and special-event information. Visitors should use the official schedule rather than relying on third-party listings.

Official Competition

Prioritise this section if your main interest is contemporary international documentary cinema.

Official Competition – Visions

Choose this section if you prefer experimental, artistic and formally innovative documentaries.

Docs&Cat

This is the best choice for audiences interested in Catalan documentary filmmaking.

Short Film Competition

Short-film sessions are ideal for discovering emerging directors and concise documentary storytelling.

Special Sessions

These are particularly useful for visitors looking for premieres, one-off events and unusual cinema experiences.

Because the festival uses several venues, visitors should leave sufficient time to travel between screenings. Tickets are also subject to venue capacity.

Ticket types & accreditation

The official 2027 public ticket prices have not yet been announced. The most recent published DocsBarcelona ticket prices provide a useful reference for visitors planning their budget.

Single ticket

The published general admission price was €9, approximately $10.10 USD.

Opening gala and special sessions

The published price was €12, approximately $13.44 USD.

Short-film sessions

The published price was €5, approximately $5.60 USD.

Screening and concert

The published combined screening and concert price was €18, approximately $20.16 USD.

Three-ticket pass

The published three-ticket pass was €24, approximately $26.88 USD.

Six-ticket pass

The published six-ticket pass was €38, approximately $42.56 USD.

Festival Pass

The published Festival Pass was €75, approximately $84.00 USD. It included an opening-night ticket and access to eligible screenings, excluding simultaneous sessions.

Young Pass

The published Young Pass was €55, approximately $61.60 USD.

These are previous-edition reference prices, not confirmed 2027 prices. Visitors should check the official ticket page when 2027 sales open.

Industry & professional access

DocsBarcelona Pro is a major component of the festival and is designed for documentary filmmakers and industry professionals.

The professional programme provides opportunities for directors, producers and other audiovisual professionals to develop projects, meet potential partners and learn from experienced industry figures.

Public Pitch

Public Pitch provides a platform for documentary projects seeking professional exposure and potential financing or collaboration.

Rough Cut Pitch

Rough Cut Pitch is intended for projects that have reached a more advanced stage and can benefit from professional feedback and industry attention.

New Tech Pitch

New Tech Pitch explores emerging technologies and innovative approaches to documentary production and storytelling.

Docs&Me

Docs&Me provides an environment for accredited professionals to connect with other participants and industry contacts.

Professional accreditation also provides access to conferences, masterclasses, selected networking activities and financing activities, subject to capacity.

The 2027 festival announcement also confirms that DocsBarcelona Pro will continue as a professional meeting point for the non-fiction sector.

Red carpet & special events

DocsBarcelona combines its documentary competitions with premieres, filmmaker conversations, special screenings and other cinematic events.

Opening events

The opening programme traditionally provides an introduction to the festival and brings together filmmakers, guests, professionals and audiences.

Special premieres

Special Sessions are designed for unique screenings, notable premieres and events outside the principal competition structure.

Filmmaker encounters

Selected films can be accompanied by director or creative-team conversations, allowing audiences to explore the ideas and production processes behind the work.

Professional events

DocsBarcelona Pro includes presentations, networking opportunities and financing activities aimed at industry delegates.

Cultural events

The festival has previously combined documentary screenings with music and other cultural experiences, particularly at venues such as Casa Montjuïc.

The 30th edition is expected to have additional anniversary-related programming, although the complete special-event schedule has not yet been announced.

Festival rules

DocsBarcelona has specific eligibility and submission requirements for filmmakers participating in the competitive programme.

Feature documentaries

Feature-length non-fiction films submitted to the 2027 edition must be over 60 minutes.

Short documentaries

Eligible non-fiction short films must be less than 30 minutes and must be Spanish productions or co-productions.

Production date

The current rules state that only works produced after January 2026 will be accepted.

Previous submissions

Films submitted to previous editions of DocsBarcelona cannot be submitted again.

Section selection

There is a single submission form for the festival’s sections. If a feature is selected, the programming team decides which section it belongs to.

Audience admission

Public screenings are subject to venue capacity. Visitors need the appropriate ticket or reservation, and professional accreditation does not automatically guarantee admission to every screening.

How to get there

Barcelona is one of Spain’s best-connected cities and is easily accessible from other Spanish and European destinations.

By air

Barcelona-El Prat Airport is the city’s main international airport. Visitors can reach central Barcelona using public transport, airport buses, rail services, metro connections or taxis.

By train

Barcelona Sants is the principal long-distance railway station and provides high-speed services to destinations including Madrid, Zaragoza, Girona and other major cities.

By metro

The Barcelona Metro is one of the easiest ways to move between central festival areas. It is particularly useful because DocsBarcelona uses multiple venues.

By bus

Barcelona’s extensive bus network provides additional connections between neighbourhoods and festival locations.

On foot

Many central festival venues are within walking distance of one another or from major transport hubs. Walking can be especially convenient when attending multiple activities in the same central district.

Public transport & parking

Public transport is generally the most convenient way to attend DocsBarcelona.

The CCCB, Filmoteca de Catalunya, Renoir Floridablanca and other festival locations are served by Barcelona’s extensive public transport system.

Metro

The metro is the most practical option for many journeys between central districts. Visitors should check the closest station for each individual venue.

Bus

Buses are useful for journeys where direct metro connections are unavailable and can also reduce walking distances.

Walking

Central Barcelona is highly walkable, and visitors staying near the festival districts can often walk to several screenings.

Parking

Driving is less convenient around central Barcelona because of traffic, regulated parking and limited street spaces. Visitors travelling by car should consider a public parking garage and then continue by metro or on foot.

Accommodation areas

Barcelona offers accommodation across many neighbourhoods, but some areas are particularly convenient for festival visitors.

Eixample

Eixample is a practical all-round choice, with many hotels, restaurants, metro connections and relatively easy access to central festival venues.

El Raval

Raval is particularly useful for visitors attending events near CCCB and Filmoteca de Catalunya. It also provides quick access to numerous cultural attractions.

Poble-sec

Poble-sec is a convenient choice for visitors who expect to attend activities around Montjuïc while remaining relatively close to the central city.

Plaça de Catalunya

This area provides strong transport connections and easy access to shopping, restaurants and several central cultural attractions.

Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter is suitable for visitors who want to combine festival attendance with sightseeing in Barcelona’s historic centre.

For a festival visit involving several cinemas, accommodation close to a metro station can be more useful than staying immediately beside one specific venue.

Food & dining

Barcelona provides a broad range of dining options, making it easy to eat between screenings.

Visitors can find Catalan restaurants, tapas bars, bakeries, cafés, international restaurants and contemporary dining throughout the central districts.

Catalan cuisine

Traditional dishes to look for include pa amb tomàquet, escalivada, suquet de peix and other regional specialities.

Tapas

Tapas and small plates are convenient when visitors have limited time between screenings.

Markets

Barcelona’s markets offer local ingredients, prepared food and informal dining opportunities.

Cafés

Cafés around the central cultural districts are practical for breakfast, coffee or a quick meal.

Venue-based planning

Because DocsBarcelona operates across different venues, it is useful to choose restaurants close to the day’s screening locations rather than returning to one fixed neighbourhood between every film.

Accessibility

DocsBarcelona maintains an official accessibility policy for its website and digital services. The festival uses WCAG 2.1 Level AA and the European EN 301 549 standard as accessibility references.

The festival acknowledges that some digital accessibility limitations remain, including certain keyboard controls and some external audiovisual material whose accessibility depends on third-party providers.

Physical accessibility can vary between venues because the festival uses different cinemas and cultural institutions.

Mobility access

Visitors with wheelchair or mobility requirements should check the accessibility facilities of the specific venue before booking.

Subtitles

Individual film pages should be checked for language and subtitle information before selecting a screening.

Assistance

Visitors with specific accessibility requirements can contact the festival in advance for information about the relevant venue and screening.

Because the programme is spread across multiple locations, checking accessibility on a screening-by-screening basis is the safest approach.

Best screenings to attend

The best screenings depend on your interests, especially because the individual 2027 selection has not yet been released.

For first-time visitors

The Official Competition is the strongest introduction to the festival because it represents the principal selection of contemporary feature documentaries.

For experimental cinema

Official Competition – Visions is the best option for viewers interested in unusual structures, artistic approaches and innovative documentary language.

For Catalan cinema

Docs&Cat provides a focused look at documentary production from Catalonia.

For short-film discovery

The Short Film Competition is ideal for audiences who enjoy concise stories and want to discover emerging documentary filmmakers.

For younger viewers

Docs&Teens is specifically designed for audiences aged 12 to 18.

For documentary professionals

DocsBarcelona Pro should be prioritised by directors, producers, distributors and other industry participants.

For the overall festival experience

Combine a competition screening with a special session, filmmaker conversation and one professional or cultural activity. This gives visitors a broader experience than attending films alone.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition of DocsBarcelona demonstrated the scale of the festival, attracting more than 12,300 spectators and reporting 28 sold-out sessions with around 70% overall theatre occupancy.

The festival presented 57 productions across eight venues and brought approximately 100 documentary filmmakers to Barcelona. This reinforced its position as both a public documentary festival and an international meeting point for filmmakers.

Best Film

Amazomania by Nathan Grossman won the Docs Award for Best Film. The documentary examines the legacy of an expedition to the Amazon and questions the colonial implications of the original filming project.

Special Mention

Das Deutsche Volk by Marcin Wierzchowski received a special mention for its treatment of structural racism following the attack in Hanau.

Best Catalan Film

The Travelers by David Bingong received the award for Best Catalan Film.

Best Short Film

Retales by Juanjo Giménez won the Best Short Film Award.

Professional programme

DocsBarcelona Pro also remained an important industry platform, providing opportunities for documentary projects to meet producers, funders, distributors and other international professionals.

These previous-edition results show the breadth of the festival, from international feature documentaries and Catalan productions to short films and professional project development.

Official tickets & accreditation

The official DocsBarcelona website should be used for 2027 ticket sales, programme information, accreditation and announcements.

Official DocsBarcelona website (https://docsbarcelona.com/)

The festival’s published contact details are:

Phone: +34 934 52 46 18

Email: info@docsbarcelona.com

Professional accreditation

The latest published professional accreditation cost €100, approximately $112.00 USD. It included access to professional activities, conferences, masterclasses, networking, financing activities and Docs&Me, together with festival screening access subject to capacity.

Student accreditation

The latest published student accreditation cost €35, approximately $39.20 USD. It was available to students enrolled at recognised higher-education institutions and included professional activities plus access to selected festival screenings.

Press accreditation

Press accreditation is handled separately by the festival and provides access to professional activities and festival programming according to the applicable accreditation conditions.

These accreditation prices are previous-edition reference prices and should not be treated as confirmed 2027 prices until the festival releases its new accreditation information.

The 2027 film submission process is already underway. The festival has confirmed that its award programme for the anniversary edition will distribute almost €25,000 in prizes and services, although this figure relates to awards rather than visitor ticket prices.