Manifesto on Equality, Inclusion and Diversity

A joint commitment of the Doc Around Europe Network festivals

Introduction

We believe that documentary cinema must reflect the diversity, complexity and plurality of the societies it portrays.

As festivals shaping the circulation of documentary films in Europe, we recognise our responsibility to promote equality, challenge exclusion and create space for diverse voices.

We therefore commit to the following principles:

Our Principles

Equality

We work actively to achieve gender balance in leadership, programming, juries, mentorship and industry participation.

Representation

We support filmmakers from historically underrepresented communities and encourage stories that broaden perspectives and challenge dominant narratives.

Inclusion

We create festival environments that are safe, respectful and welcoming to all participants, ensuring that discrimination, harassment and exclusion have no place in our events.

Accessibility

We strive to remove barriers to participation by improving accessibility in venues, screenings, communication and digital platforms.

Transparency

We collect and share data regarding gender balance and diversity in order to monitor progress and maintain accountability.

Collaboration

We work with civil society organisations, advocacy groups and cultural institutions to strengthen inclusive practices across the audiovisual sector.

Responsibility

As cultural gatekeepers, we recognise our responsibility to foster ethical storytelling and ensure that documentary cinema contributes to a more just and inclusive society.

Shared Commitment

Through this manifesto, the Doc Around Europe Network affirms its shared commitment to building a European documentary ecosystem where everyone has the opportunity to create, participate and be heard.