Opening Night 2025: Steal This Story, Please! with co-directors Carl Deal and Tia Lessin, producer Karen Ranucci, journalist and protagonist Amy Goodman, and moderator Matthew Carey, documentary reporter for Deadline. : Carolina Kroon
READY, SET, SUBMIT!
Submissions Now Open for the 4th Edition
DC/DOX Returns June 11–14, 2026
Mark Your Calendars!
DC/DOX returns June 11–14, 2026, with more than 100 groundbreaking documentaries at marquee venues across Washington, D.C. Every screening is paired with conversations—filmmaker Q&As led by journalists, cultural leaders, and subject-area experts—that extend the experience beyond the screen. The festival’s Reality Check Forum offers panels, masterclasses, workshops, and a legal clinic, creating a dynamic space for exchange, learning, and community.
Call for Entries Now Open
Submissions are now open for the fourth edition of DC/DOX! Whether you’re a first-time filmmaker or an established storyteller, we invite you to share your work for consideration in the 2026 lineup. See the guidelines below for details.
Eligibility Guidelines:
Feature documentaries: 40 minutes or longer
Short documentaries: 39 minutes or less
Films completed on or after January 2025
DC-based filmmakers may apply for the DC/FRAME program
SUBMIT YOUR FILM
Love documentaries?
We’re recruiting volunteer screeners to help shape the 2026 festival. This is a coveted role with limited spots. Screeners will watch and evaluate submissions between October and April, playing a key role in discovering the stories and voices that define our program. Interested? Apply now to be considered.
APPLY TO BE A SCREENER
Photo credits: Carolina Kroon, Shannon Finney and Joe Goldberg.

Support the Future of DC/DOX
We invite you to join us on this journey. Your support makes it possible to bring the very best in documentary cinema to Washington, D.C.—amplifying bold voices, uplifting visionary filmmakers, and sparking conversations that matter. Together, we can continue to champion documentary film as a powerful force for art, truth, and change.
DONATE
You’ll be directed to the PayPal page of The Film Collaborative, the fiscal sponsor of DC/DOX.