Documentary Film Festivals

ATL DOC - Atlanta Documentary Film Festival
Atlanta, Georgia
A long-running documentary film festival showcasing independent nonfiction films with a focus on strong storytelling and engaged audiences.

AFI Docs
Washington, DC
A major documentary film festival presented by the American Film Institute, featuring socially relevant films and filmmaker discussions.

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
Missoula, Montana
An international documentary festival known for bold storytelling and a strong filmmaker-first approach.

Boulder International Film Festival
Boulder, Colorado
A respected festival presenting documentary and narrative films with strong audience attendance and community engagement.

DOC NYC
New York City, New York
One of the largest documentary film festivals in the U.S., premiering high-profile nonfiction films from around the world.

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Durham, North Carolina
A leading documentary-only festival dedicated to creative nonfiction cinema and filmmaker support.

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
Hot Springs, Arkansas
The oldest documentary-only film festival in North America, focusing exclusively on nonfiction storytelling.

Miami Film Festival – Documentary Program
Miami, Florida
A competitive documentary section highlighting international and U.S. nonfiction films.

New Orleans Film Festival – Documentary Program
New Orleans, Louisiana
A filmmaker-focused festival featuring strong documentary programming and industry networking opportunities.

Palm Springs International Film Festival – Documentary Showcase
Palm Springs, California
A respected festival platform that includes documentary films alongside international cinema.

Sidewalk Film Festival – Documentary Section
Birmingham, Alabama
A community-driven festival known for thoughtful documentary programming and accessible screenings.

Sundance Film Festival – Documentary Competition
Park City, Utah
A premier platform for independent documentary films with strong industry visibility.

SXSW Documentary Feature Competition
Austin, Texas
A major documentary showcase blending film, culture, and innovation with strong audience turnout.

True/False Film Fest
Columbia, Missouri
A highly regarded documentary festival known for immersive programming and filmmaker hospitality.

Woodstock Film Festival – Documentary Program
Woodstock, New York
An established festival presenting documentary films alongside independent narrative cinema.

How These Festivals Are Selected

This directory focuses on documentary film festivals in the United States that actively program nonfiction films and present public screenings for live audiences. Festivals are included based on visible programming history, clarity of focus, and an active submission process.

The list is not ranked and is intended to help documentary filmmakers explore a range of festivals that may be a fit for their work and goals.