The Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival (CPH:DOX) is set to host its 23rd edition from March 11 to March 22, showcasing an impressive array of films. This year's competition program features a remarkable 53 world premieres, complemented by 17 international and 4 European premieres, reflecting a deep engagement with global and contemporary issues. The festival emphasizes the vital role of documentary cinema in navigating complex times, offering diverse perspectives and fostering critical dialogue.

Artistic Director Niklas Engstrøm articulated the festival's mission, noting that in an era of rapid change and shifting societal frameworks, documentary films serve as crucial platforms for sustained attention and nuanced understanding. He stressed that the selected films eschew oversimplification, embracing the inherent complexity and ambiguity of lived experiences. This commitment to depth and humanism underscores CPH:DOX's dedication to the art form and its audience.

Diverse Competitive Categories and Recognitions

CPH:DOX's competition structure is designed to celebrate various facets of documentary filmmaking, headlined by the prestigious DOX:AWARD. This flagship section awards €10,000 to its winner and comprises 12 feature films, all making their global debut. Beyond this, five additional competition categories, each offering a €5,000 prize, cater to specific cinematic focuses. These include the F:ACT Competition, which merges filmmaking with investigative journalism; the HUMAN:RIGHTS Competition, dedicated to films advocating for human rights; NEW:VISION, honoring experimental and artist-driven cinema; NEXT:WAVE, spotlighting emerging talent and innovative cinematic trends; and NORDIC:DOX, showcasing exceptional documentaries from the Nordic region.

Adding a new layer of distinction, the 2026 festival introduces the FIPRESCI Award, presented by the International Federation of Film Critics, for which all 12 films in the DOX:AWARD Competition are eligible. Furthermore, CPH:DOX collaborates with the seven European festivals in the Doc Alliance network to present a selection of films nominated for the 2026 Doc Alliance Award. Mads K. Mikkelsen, head of program, reiterated the festival's excitement for presenting a lineup that critically and creatively addresses current global challenges, highlighting the spirit of humanism, solidarity, and poetic expression evident in this year's selection, all while placing great trust in the audience's engagement.