Our Philosophy
Who we are and what we want
Documentary film. The art of the hour.
We love cinema documentary films as an art form that uses cinematic aesthetics to explore all possible significant principles. In its thematic and creative diversity, documentary film is as artistically valuable as it is socially relevant and invites dialogue. The creators of the films are fundamentally curious and open, and their films offer deep insights into the most diverse of worlds; their films stand testament to great sensitivity, integrity and commitment. We consider documentary film to be the art form of the hour.
Code of Ethics – Code of Conduct
DOK.fest München is a cultural festival for the presentation of international documentary film culture based on the integrity of all participants: this applies to the festival team, the partners, the artists and our audience. With our program and our activities, we strive for a fundamentally fair and respectful interaction within society as a whole and want to strengthen plurality, diversity and solidarity, while preserving artistic freedom. Raising awareness of diversity, anti-discrimination, equal opportunities and inclusion as overarching ethical and democratic values is at the heart of our work. In this way, we aim to meet the needs of all participants and audiences.
DOK.fest München is independent, nonpartisan and sees itself as a cultural festival which, with its film programme and film discussions, offers space for debate - even controversial debate. The debates can, through a one-dimensional political agenda or a personal confrontation between the participants, become limited. Non-violence in any form, including language, is essential for respectful and considerate coexistence. We expect mutual understanding, consideration and respect for the safety and well-being of everyone involved. This applies equally to our guests and our audience. In the case of violations, including in the digital space, we reserve the right to refuse access to festival spaces.
In the planning, preparation and implementation of the festival, we are committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment based on fairness and sustainability. This applies to the festival events as well as to the administrative and organisational work in the team.
During the festival, the Awareness Team are available at any time: Johanna von Websky & Elena Lanzinger
DOK.fest München is committed to the following principles:
Diverse, inclusive and cross-generational
We want our films to appeal to all people and reflect the diversity of our society. In selecting films and in the composition of the juries, we pay attention to diversity and diversity of opinion. We want to increase the inclusivity of the festival and our year-round programme by providing content in easy-to-read language (currently only available in German), labelling accessible films and cinemas, offering content warnings, and further participation through our @home offer. With our DOK.education programme, we are committed to an early film education and media literacy. Our programme is for audiences of all ages and consciously promotes exchange between the generations.
Fair and sustainable
Our team is our most important resource. Because the well-being of our employees is close to our heart, we are committed to a fair employment and wage policy. As the initiator and founder of the Verband Bayerischer Filmfestivals (Bavarian FIlm Festivals Union) we champion fair and sustainable conditions in the fields of employment, conservation of resources and mobility, as well as political transparency in festival work. In addition, we support the Initiative Festivalarbeit, which campaigns for equitable and fair pay. Since its nomination for the 3rd Fair Festival Award of the AG Festivalarbeit in ver.di 2025, DOK.fest München has been labeled a Fair Festival.
Ecological and resource-saving
For the realisation of the festival, we work together with numerous environmentally certified partners in order to keep the climate impact as low as possible. The festival bags from mapbagrag are regionally manufactured from recycled paper and are washable. Our caterer for receptions and events, Conviva, follows an inclusive plan, and our drinks suppliers, Acqua Monaco and Kaffeerösterei Fausto show concern for sustainable, biological, regional and fair production conditions. We are using eco-friendly means of transport such as cargo bikes as well as electric cars and scooters rented from bluemove Mobility.
History-conscious and future-oriented
Our programme deals with the past, accompanies upheavals in the course of time, and takes a look into the future. In our Retrospective and Homage sections, we devote ourselves to defining moments in film history and pay tribute to filmmakers who have had a significant impact on the art of documentary film. Every year, in our themed sections we focus on topics which are both current and socially relevant to this and future generations.
Analogue and digital
The feature documentary film is our focus. We celebrate it both on the big screen and at home on the digital screen and are constantly looking for new ways to secure its future. As the largest and most important festival for documentary films in Germany, we see it as our duty to convey a relevant documentary film programme to a broad audience and to make it accessible.
Local and global
We live the interchange at eye level and across borders, in our films and in conversation with guests and the audience. Every year, our industry platform DOK.forum attracts a wide range of guests from Germany and abroad who take part in discourse and networking both on site and online.
