DOXS Ruhr 2026: 14th Documentary Film Festival for Young Audiences Kicks Off

The 14th edition of DOXS Ruhr, a documentary film festival dedicated to young audiences, runs from October 7 to 18 in cinemas across Bochum, Dortmund, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Moers, Mülheim, and Witten. Under the theme "Rebellische Körper" (Rebellious Bodies), the festival spotlights unconventional perspectives on diversity, documentary film, and the animal world. Festival director Gudrun Sommer explains: "Rebellious bodies shape this year's festival program. Bodies that do not meet supposed norms and experience discrimination. Their motivation is often personal, but the underlying power dynamics are not: the films consistently put relationships in society to the test – including those between humans and nature or our attitude toward animal bodies." The selected films are European and aim to reflect the lives, themes, and passions of the younger generation in an age-appropriate way. Each screening is followed by a discussion. The overarching goal is to seamlessly integrate entertainment, art, and education. Film-pedagogical projects complement the film program, with workshops and theater-pedagogical offerings. The full program by city is available online. DOXS Ruhr is unique as the only documentary film festival in Germany focused exclusively on young audiences, distinguishing it from other documentary festivals such as DOK.Fest München, DOK Leipzig, Dokumentarfilmwoche Hamburg, and Duisburger Filmwoche.