Beyond Linear: Connecting with Today`s Audiences
DCampus Exchange Munich in cooperation with DOK.forum @ DOK.fest Munich 2026
Understanding audience behaviours and preferences is central to the future of documentary and factual storytelling, especially in a digital-first landscape. This session explores how digital platforms, distributors, and broadcasters each build, analyse, and engage their audiences, and what documentary makers can learn from these different approaches.
The discussion examines where audience strategies converge or diverge, and what opportunities lie in between. For filmmakers and producers, the session offers practical takeaways on digital media personas, targeting strategies, and how a deeper understanding of audiences can inform development, commissioning, and distribution decisions.
Speakers: Daniel P Elward (Channel 4), Esther van Messel (First Hand Films), Matthias Leitner (BR)
Moderator: Anna Ramskogler-Witt (The Good Media Network)
Event information and tickets
- The event will end at approx. 16.30pm.
- The event will be held in English.
- The event will be held on site.
- The event is open to the public (with ticket purchase, valid for all events within DCampus Exchange).
- The event is open to all accreditation types (DOK.fest professionals, DOK.forum Marketplace Observer (Plus) and Marketplace guests) for free (except DOK.forum accreditation, need to purchase ticket).
Our partners
Creative Producer & Digital Storyteller (Bayerischer Rundfunk)
Matthias Leitner is a digital storyteller and creative producer. Since 2015, he has led the storytelling lab audience:first at Bayerischer Rundfunk. In the Format Development & Innovation team, he realizes pilot projects such as the messenger format "Ich, Eisner!", the social VR documentary "München 72," and the comedy podcast "In 5 Tagen Mord – Die Krimi-Challenge mit KI" (Murder in 5 Days – The Crime Challenge with AI). He co-initiated the ARD Game Jam and is currently involved in the development of a joint gaming strategy within an ARD-wide network. He has received numerous awards for his journalistic and artistic work, including the German Bundestag's 2020 Media Prize for "Ich, Eisner!", the Raindance Immersive Festival 2022 award for "Best Immersive Experience for Social Impact" for "München 72," and the Grimme Online Award 2024 for "In 5 Tagen Mord."
CEO (First Hand Films)
Esther van Messel, born 1965 in Vienna, is based in Zurich and holds a BfA from the Tel Aviv University. She headed Warner Bros. Israel and from 1992 produced feature films and documentaries in Zurich. Since 1998, she runs FIRST HAND FILMS for production, global sales and theatrical distribution. Today, First Hand Films have been seen by many hundred millions of people.
