DOK Leipzig starts with a US focus and 252 films

The DOK Leipzig documentary film festival has numerous films about the USA on the program. From this Monday until 2 November, several works will be shown that deal with life and challenges in contemporary America, as the organizers announced. According to the organizers, a total of 252 long and short documentaries and animated films will be shown at DOK Leipzig.

332-minute film about ex-drug dealer in the program

The five-and-a-half-hour film "Conbody vs Everybody" requires a lot of stamina and stamina. The 332-minute film by director Debra Granik accompanies an ex-drug dealer on his quest to avoid ending up back in prison, unlike 75 percent of all ex-prisoners in the USA.

A retrospective is also dedicated to the United States. Under the title "Un-American Activities", films will be shown that were invited to the Leipzig Documentary Film Week - behind the Iron Curtain - in the festival years 1962 to 1989.

Prize money of 55,000 euros in the competitions

There are 73 films in the four competitions for the Golden and Silver Doves. A total of 55,000 euros in prize money will be awarded. Other thematic focuses include indigenous cultures, the climate crisis and wars and crises in the world. Last year, around 55,000 visitors were counted at DOK Leipzig.

Last festival for director Terhechte

This year's festival edition will be the sixth and last under the direction of Christoph Terhechte. He is leaving the post early for personal reasons. His successor as of January 1, 2026 will be film and literature scholar Ola Staszel. Born in Poland, she was most recently co-head of the Neisse Film Festival in the border triangle of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.