Festival Film Dokumenter (FFD) invites documentary filmmakers from Indonesia and around the world to submit their films for the 2026 edition of the Festival. FFD welcomes documentary works of various forms and cinematic approaches, reflecting the diversity of contemporary documentary practice. Selected films will become part of the Festival’s program and be presented to audiences through curated screenings and discussions. The upcoming 25th edition of FFD will be held on November 20–27, 2026, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Starting this year, all film submissions to FFD will be conducted through FilmFreeway. This transition is part of FFD’s effort to streamline the submission process and to connect more efficiently with filmmakers across different regions. The Festival also introduces a submission fee for film entries. The fee contributes to supporting the Festival’s submission management and programming processes, as well as the continued development of FFD as a platform dedicated to documentary cinema. At the same time, FFD remains committed to supporting Indonesian filmmakers. Submission fee waivers are available for Indonesian filmmakers submitting to the following categories: Indonesia Feature-Length Competition, Short Competition, Student Competition, and Noncompetition (Lanskap).
We look forward to discovering new documentary works and welcoming filmmakers to the 2026 edition of FFD. Please find the important dates and submission categories below. Filmmakers are encouraged to review the Rules and Regulations as well as the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) before submitting their films.
Important Dates
Early Deadline: May 4, 2026, 11:59 PM (UTC+7)
Regular Deadline: July 27, 2026, 11:59 PM (UTC+7)
Notification Date: September 28, 2026
Submission Categories
International Feature-Length Competition
International Feature-Length Competition represents the Festival’s commitment to global documentary practices. For more than two decades, this program has presented films with diverse perspectives, distinctive narratives, and bold cinematic approaches. Films submitted in this category must have been completed between 2024–2026 with a running time of over 40 minutes (including end credits) and must be produced by non-Indonesian producers and/or directors.
Indonesia Feature-Length Competition
Indonesia Feature-Length Competition reflects the Festival’s commitment to supporting and celebrating the development of Indonesian documentary filmmaking. The Festival consistently presents Indonesian documentary works that offer diverse perspectives, fresh approaches, bold storytelling and narratives that engage with socio-cultural contexts. Films submitted in this category must have been completed between 2024–2026 with a running time of over 40 minutes (including end credits) and must be produced by Indonesian producers and/or directors.
Short Competition
The rapid global development of short documentaries as a dynamic medium opens limitless possibilities for exploration. Short Competition celebrates the strength of short-form documentary in delivering ideas concisely with a strong artistic vision and bold approach. Films submitted in this category must have been completed between 2025–2026 with a running time of maximum 40 minutes (including end credits). This category has no restrictions on the country of production or filmmaker nationality.
Student Competition
FFD aims to provide a platform for emerging filmmakers to observe, comprehend, and define the issues that affect their communities. This category is dedicated to Indonesian student filmmakers with an explorative and bold spirit in addressing current issues through documentary filmmaking. Films submitted in this category must have been completed between 2024–2026. This category doesn’t have restrictions on running time and must be directed by Indonesian student filmmakers.
Noncompetition
This program is designed to explore developments in documentary language, themes, approaches, and technologies. Films submitted must be completed between 2024–2026. The Program has no restrictions on the country of production, filmmaker nationality, or running time. All films submitted in this category will be selected within the following sections:
- Perspektif
This program presents documentaries that highlight the latest issues across different parts of the world. Through a reflective and confrontational approach, the films in this program seek to interpret the social, political, environmental, cultural, and humanitarian dynamics that are unfolding today.
- Spektrum
This program welcomes creative works that challenge conventional boundaries within documentary practice through diverse visual approaches, narrative structures, artistic techniques, and storytelling methods.
- Lanskap
This program explores various discourses present in and about Indonesia. This program features films that document, reflect on, and critically examine the social, cultural, historical, political, and humanitarian dynamics of present-day Indonesia. Lanskap serves as a space for reading the complexities of Indonesian identity and experience.
- Utopia/Dystopia
This program highlights the latest developments in feature-length documentaries across the globe. Films in this program demonstrate how feature-length documentaries continue to evolve as a medium to examine reality, articulate artistic vision, and imagine possible directions for the future.
- Docs Docs: Short!
This program highlights the latest developments in short documentaries across the globe. Films in this program demonstrate sharp ideas and agile responses to contemporary issues, while presenting short documentaries as a dynamic and relevant medium.
FFD looks forward to discovering new documentary voices and perspectives from around the world. The Festival welcomes documentary films of all forms and approaches, including observational, essayistic, hybrid, experimental, and expanded documentary practices. Filmmakers are invited to submit their works through FilmFreeway (filmfreeway.com/ffd) and join the 25th edition of Festival Film Dokumenter in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
