Call for Entries:

VFF Documentary Production Talent Award 2026

Submit now until 2 February 2026!

DOK.fest München and VFF Verwertungsgesellschaft der Film- und Fernsehproduzenten mbH are pleased to announce the 9th VFF Documentary Production Award, which will be presented at the 41st DOK.fest München, taking place in May 2026.

 

A new award for emerging documentary producers in Germany

This unique award recognises the role of production in the creation of current documentary feature films.

The award is donated by the VFF Verwertungsgesellschaft der Film- und Fernsehproduzenten mbH and is endowed with prize money of 3.000 euros. The award goes to the producer of the film. The award ceremony will take place within the festival programme of DOK.fest München, together with the VFF Documentary Production Award.

Emerging producers are cordially invited to submit their current documentary films!

Conditions of participation

Films that meet the following criteria are eligible for submission to the VFF Documentary Production Award:

  • Film production with a minimum length of 52 minutes
  • At least 51% production share from Germany
  • Publication after 1 January 2025
  • If your film has already participated in a previous DOK.fest München edition, it cannot be resubmitted.
  • Only university films, including graduation films and debut films, from the production programme of a German university are eligible. (Please indicate on the submission form which university you are enrolled at).
  • Up to three public screenings at DOK.fest München 2026 are obligatory.

The selection for the VFF Documentary Production Talent Award is based on the criteria below. It is the responsibility of the producer to present the special production achievement to the jury members in the documents to be submitted:

  • Commitment of the production in the selection of a challenging subject
  • Commitment and productivity in putting together the financing
  • Creative and innovative approaches to production

Submission

  • If you are submitting a film to us for the first time, please set up an account under "My account".
  • If you already have an account, you can log in at any time.
  • Please select "VFF Documentary Production TAlent Award" under "Registration for" in the film submission form.
  • We provide information on the exact steps for submitting a film here under item 8.

 

Please also send the following documents by email to Elena Lanzinger (lanzinger@dokfest-muenchen.de):

  • Statement by the producer on the outstanding significance of the production for the film (max. 3000 characters)
  • Short biography of the producer, director and other key participants (max. 700 characters per biography)
  • Complete and clear breakdown of the budget plan
  • Complete and clear breakdown of the financing plan
  • Please indicate whether you are a VFF member.

Please make sure that you send in all documents, as incomplete submissions cannot be considered. All documents and information will be treated in strict confidence.

 

The submission is independent of the participation at DOK.fest München.

Submission deadline is 2 February 2026.

Contact

If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact:

Elena Lanzinger
lanzinger@dokfest-muenchen.de
Phone: +49 89 51 39 97 88

DOK.fest München
Dachauer Straße 116
80636 Munich
Germany

Award donor