International Documentary Film Competition in Denmark with Awards of Up to €10,000

The Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival (CPH) is inviting filmmakers and artists from around the world to submit their work for its 2027 international competitions and compete for financial awards worth up to €10,000.

The festival accepts feature-length and short documentaries, experimental and investigative films, human rights-related works, as well as virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed-media projects, and interactive art installations.

Selected works will compete across several categories, including the DOX for international documentaries, the F AWARD for investigative and journalistic works, the NEW AWARD for experimental films, and the NEXT AWARD for emerging filmmakers and artists. Additional prizes include the Human Rights Award and the Audience Award.

• Official selection and screening at one of the world's leading international documentary film festivals in Copenhagen.
• Exposure to an international audience, film critics, and industry professionals.
• Inclusion of selected films on the CPH digital platform for accredited guests and film industry professionals.
• Opportunity to participate in the digital festival through the PARA platform within Denmark.
• Eligibility to compete for cash prizes of up to €10,000.
• Professional and media promotion for selected films.
• Publication of the film's information, stills, and production team details in the festival catalogue and on the official website.
• Possibility for selected films to be featured in educational screenings or additional screenings in other Danish cities.

Awards

The festival presents the following awards:

• DOX – €10,000 for the best feature documentary in the international competition.
• NEW AWARD – €5,000 for outstanding experimental films and artists' works.
• F AWARD – €5,000 for investigative and journalistic documentaries.
• NEXT AWARD – €5,000 for innovative works by emerging filmmakers and artists.
• NORDIC AWARD – €5,000 for documentaries from the Nordic countries.
• HUMAN AWARD – €5,000 for films addressing human rights issues.
• INTER AWARD – €1,400 for works featured in the interactive exhibition.
• AUDIENCE AWARD – €10,000 for films participating in the festival's digital programme.

Submitted works must meet the following requirements:

• The submission must be either a film of any length or an interactive project, such as a virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed-media, or interactive installation.
• The film must have had its world premiere on or after 1 April 2026.
• The applicant must hold all legal rights required to submit and screen the work.
• The screening copy must include English subtitles, even if the dialogue is in English.
• The film must not have been previously screened in Denmark, broadcast on Danish television, or made available on a video-on-demand platform accessible in Denmark, unless special permission has been granted by the festival.
• Incomplete or work-in-progress versions may be submitted for evaluation.
• Applicants cannot choose a specific competition or programme section, as the festival selection committee will determine the most appropriate category.

Submission Fee

• Films longer than 50 minutes: DKK 300 (approximately €40).
• Films under 50 minutes and interactive projects: DKK 150 (approximately €20).

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