Review of the 38th DOK.fest München

In the cinema. At home. DOK.fest stays dual!

 

 

THANK YOU for a wonderful dual 38th DOK.fest München!

On Sunday, 21 May 2023, the 38th DOK.fest München came to an end: 130 films, 55 countries, 1 festival – with our second dual festival edition we were able to combine the best of both film worlds into a dual festival experience on 12 festival days at the Munich venues and 14 days on the digital screen at the 38th DOK.fest München. We look back on a splendid and impressive 19 days full of exchange and encounters with our audience, our guests and partners, both on location at the venues and at online film talks and hybrid events. A big thank you for contributing to another great festival with your participation and presence!

 

Our résumé

During the second dual edition of DOK.fest München, a total of around 56,000 visitors saw the films or took part in the festival's local, digital and hybrid events. Around 35,000 viewers and guests were counted on site in Munich in the cinemas and special venues. Online on the digital screen, the films were viewed 21,000 times, although it is not possible to determine how many viewers were sitting in front of the digital screen in each case – so our festival films were probably seen by far more people.

DOK.forum, the industry platform of DOK.fest München, was again a hybrid event: At 43 events from 3 to 10 May, 286 experts and 2,900 participants were on site, digitally connected – or both. New this year were the two conferences "It's a Match! – Connecting Formats to Audiences" and "Perspektive Kino! Konzepte für eine zukunftsfähige Praxis” (Concepts for a Sustainable Practice), where the future of documentary film in all its facets was discussed.
This year, the Schule des Sehens (School of Seeing) of the educational programme DOK.education continued the dual mediation programme of three short films for three age groups, which has also already proven its worth. 52 classes with over 1200 children and young people attended the 90-minute film education workshops, which were again held at HFF Munich. At the same time, teachers throughout Germany were able to use the films and digital teaching units, including accompanying materials, online: Over 4000 pupils have been registered for this so far. The online cinema screens can be used until the end of July. Including the supporting programme, which included award ceremonies and workshops, DOK.education had 6334 visitors this year.

Daniel Sponsel and Adele Kohout (festival directors): "This is a great success for us. Last year we were still struggling with the effects of the pandemic, but now we have won back many viewers. The offer to present these outstanding films both in the cinema and to audiences at home has proved successful. Our thanks go to all our patrons, sponsors and partners who have remained loyal to us, to the filmmakers and of course to our passionate team. This edition proves it: Even under difficult conditions, great documentaries are made all over the world. And there is an audience for that."

 

 

We look forward to seeing you at the 39th DOK.fest München! Save the Date: 1–20 May 2024!