Guardian and arte.tv launch £10,000 fund for short docs on democracy in Europe
Open call for filmmakers: one winning project to receive £10,000 in funding, editorial support and international distribution
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Guardian Documentaries and arte.tva have announced a new £10,000 fund for filmmakers to create short documentaries exploring the state of democracy in Europe. The initiative, revealed at Sheffield DocFest today, is now open for submissions from filmmakers across the continent.
The fund will support one standout project with £10,000 in production funding, editorial guidance, and international distribution on both the Guardian and arte.tv platforms. The winning film will also be translated into seven European languages, ensuring a broad reach.
The call is for character-driven shorts that tackle urgent issues facing European democracies—such as rising authoritarianism, threats to press freedom, and declining civic trust. The aim is to spotlight personal stories that bring these challenges to life and spark public debate.
Jess Gormley, executive producer at Guardian Documentaries, said the partnership is about supporting filmmakers close to the stories that matter most, especially as democracy faces new pressures. Catherine Colas, commissioning editor at ZDF/ARTE, highlighted the power of short films to reflect society’s challenges and amplify new voices.
Filmmakers can submit their pitches from 11 June 2026. The selected documentary will benefit from creative support and a platform to reach audiences across Europe and beyond.
Full submission guidelines and eligibility criteria are available here.