Located in Leipzig, Germany
DOK LEIPZIG is one of the world’s leading festivals for documentary and animation films, unique in combining these two disciplines in its festival history of more than 60 years. Every year at the end of October, the festival attracts more than 47,000 viewers and presents more than 300 films from all over the globe.
346 films from 58 countries, 145 visiting directors – this year’s 53rd Leipzig documentary film festival could hardly be described as greater than the sum of its parts. Within one short week, who could possibly tell? But some of the peculiar events could easily branch off and become festivals on their own.
DokLeipzig continues to develop its industry events, this year introducing a digital doc market. At the same time the festival also boasts a selection of high-class films.
Traditionally, the Leipzig festival was the main doc festival for Eastern Europe, so when the Wall fell in 1989, the festival endured some difficult years.
Leo Isiemine reports from the 43rd International Leipzig festival of documentary and animated films, the traditional East Bloc film festival that after stagnation in the 80s is flourishing once again.