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DOK Leipzig 2025 Returns with US Focus, New Director

Discover the best in docs from the US. Meet the festival's first female director.

, and ASMedia

2025 October 27 . 5:03 AM

1 min read

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DOK Leipzig kicks off with US focus and 252 films - DOK Leipzig 2025 Returns with US Focus, New Director

DOK Leipzig, one of Europe's leading documentary film festivals, is set to return this year with a focus on the United States. The event, which attracted around 55,000 visitors last year, will award €55,000 in prize money across various competitions. This edition marks the final one led by Christoph Terhechte, who is stepping down early.

The festival will screen 252 feature-length and short documentaries, along with animated films. Notable highlights include 'Un-American Activities', a retrospective showcasing films about the US from 1962 to 1989. Themes covered range from Indigenous cultures and the climate crisis to global wars and conflicts.

Ola Staszel, a Polish film and literature scholar, will succeed Terhechte as the festival director starting January 1, 2026. She will work alongside Terhechte for a month in January 2026 to ensure a smooth transition. Staszel will be the first woman to lead the festival.

One of the most anticipated films is 'Conbody vs Everybody', a 332-minute documentary about a former drug dealer.

DOK Leipzig, with its rich programme and notable successor, promises an exciting event. The festival's focus on the United States and diverse themes ensures a thought-provoking experience for all attendees.