Guardian Documentaries and arte.tv have announced a new joint initiative to support filmmakers creating short documentaries that explore the state of democracy in Europe. The £10,000 fund, titled “Democracy at Stake in Europe,” was unveiled at Sheffield DocFest and opens for submissions on 11 June 2026.
Partnership Details
The collaboration brings together two leading European news and non-fiction media organizations, both committed to public-interest storytelling. The winning project will receive £10,000 in production funding, editorial and creative support from both partners, and distribution across Guardian and arte.tv platforms. Additionally, the documentary will be translated into seven European languages.
Filmmakers from across Europe are invited to pitch character-led short documentaries that examine the challenges facing democratic societies today. Topics of interest include the rise of authoritarian movements, threats to press freedom, erosion of civil rights, electoral integrity, and civic trust.
Statements from Partners
Jess Gormley, executive producer of Guardian Documentaries, said: “At a moment when democracy itself is being tested across Europe, we want to support filmmakers who are close to the personal stories that matter most. The Guardian has long been committed to reporting on the issues shaping Europe, and this partnership with arte.tv is a natural fit. We share a belief that short-form documentaries can bring audiences together and change the way people see the world.”
Catherine Colas, commissioning editor for ZDF/ARTE, added: “In all its formal and thematic diversity, the short film has long served as a voice for democracy. It possesses the unique ability to hold up a mirror to modern society and highlight its dysfunctions and contradictions in a timely and distinctive way. The partnership between the Guardian and ARTE enables new voices to be heard and gain visibility across a wide range of audiences.”
How to Apply
Submissions are open from 11 June to 14 September 2026. Filmmakers can submit proposals for short-form documentary projects that engage with the theme of Democracy at Stake in Europe. Full guidelines and eligibility criteria are available on the Guardian’s website.
About Guardian Documentaries
Guardian Documentaries commissions and curates films from around the world, telling contemporary stories with artistic vision. The team has received critical acclaim, including an Oscar for Colette, an Oscar nomination for Black Sheep, a BAFTA for The Black Cop, and a Grierson for Lady of the Gobi. Their films have screened at Cannes, Tribeca, Sundance, and Sheffield DocFest.
About arte.tv
ARTE is a European public media service available in seven languages: German, French, English, Polish, Spanish, Italian, and Romanian. It offers documentaries, concerts, cinema, and current affairs programming. ARTE’s productions have won Oscars and BAFTAs, most recently for Mr Nobody Against Putin.
