The DOXA Documentary Film Festival has officially revealed its highly anticipated program for the 25th anniversary edition, set to take place from April 30 to May 10, 2026, in Vancouver. This milestone celebration showcases Western Canada's largest documentary festival, featuring an impressive selection of 40 feature-length films and 29 short or mid-length productions.
A Diverse and Global Selection
The festival's lineup includes 27 Canadian films, with British Columbia contributing six features and eight short films. Remarkably, the program represents 41 different countries, highlighting DOXA's commitment to global storytelling and diverse perspectives. This international scope underscores the festival's role as a premier platform for documentary cinema in the Pacific Northwest.
Opening and Closing Galas
The 25th edition kicks off with the Opening Gala presentation of Bella Sutra on April 30 at 7 p.m. at the Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre at SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. This live cinematic performance piece, directed and narrated by OK Pedersen with musical accompaniment by Eden Glasman and Jakob Tokarczyk, offers an unfiltered and sometimes humorous personal essay about life as an innkeeper in Bella Coola.
The festival concludes with the Closing Gala presentation of Time and Water on May 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the VIFF Centre. This film, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sara Dosa, explores themes of climate change, grief, and memory, marking its British Columbia premiere.
Special Presentations and Justice Forum
DOXA's Mid-Week Gala on May 6 at 7 p.m. at the VIFF Centre features the British Columbia premiere of Concrete Turned to Sand. Directed by local filmmakers Jessica Johnson and Ryan Ermacora, this documentary examines oyster farmers on Cortes Island and the shifting intertidal zone under the pressures of climate change.
The Justice Forum's Special Presentation, now in its 16th year, showcases Saigon Story: Two Shootings in the Forest Kingdom on May 1 at 5:15 p.m. at the VIFF Centre. This film by Oscar-nominated Canadian director Kim Nguyen investigates the connection between two families and the famous photograph Saigon Execution. Nguyen will be in attendance for this screening, adding a personal dimension to the viewing experience.
Country of Honour: South Korea
This year, DOXA has designated South Korea as its Country of Honour, with guest curation by Byungwon Jang. Jang, the head programmer of the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival and former editor-in-chief of the Korean film weekly FILM2.0, has curated a special program that includes feature films Beyond Now, Nyein (2025) and Untold (2021), along with short films The Silent Bearers (2023) and Last May in Theatres (2025). As a film critic and instructor at Chung-Ang University in Seoul, Jang has also contributed an essay to the 2026 DOXA program book.
Industry Program and Workshops
Beyond the film screenings, DOXA offers a robust industry program featuring panels, masterclasses, and a series of free workshops. These events provide valuable opportunities for filmmakers, students, and enthusiasts to engage with industry professionals and enhance their documentary filmmaking skills.
Sarah Ouazzani, DOXA's artistic director, expressed excitement about the anniversary, stating, "We are excited to celebrate 25 festival editions highlighting important, entertaining and relevant documentary films. This is an important milestone, and we are pleased to share a great program with the Vancouver film community once again this year."
All tickets and festival passes are now available for purchase, offering audiences the chance to immerse themselves in this landmark celebration of documentary cinema.
