Doc/Fest, the UK’s leading documentary film festival, is delighted to announce that it has agreed a deal with The Independent newspaper to become the presenting media sponsor for 2008. The event will now be known as, Sheffield Doc/Fest in association with The Independent.
The sponsorship deal brings extensive advertising and marketing opportunities for both Doc/Fest and its sponsors.
This is the second year running that The Independent has sponsored Doc/Fest, and highlights the Festival’s success at attracting both a wider audience and lobbying for greater support of UK and international documentaries.
Doc/Fest 2008 is taking place between 5-9th November in Sheffield and will showcase over 100 films. It has become Europe’s must-attend festival for filmmakers, producers and commissioners alike, attracting thousands of delegates from across the globe.
Heather Croall, Festival Director of Doc/Fest says: “Our aim is to be the most important documentary festival in Europe, and with a significant national media partner like The Independent on board, we are well on the way to achieving that.
“The Independent’s endorsement is testament to Doc/Fest’s rapidly growing profile and underlines our position as the best event in the UK for documentary professionals and fans.
“There are around 150 film festivals in the UK, but Doc/Fest is one of only three to have support from a national newspaper, which places us in that elite group alongside Edinburgh and London.
“We are now attracting attention from major brands for the festival naming rights”.
Ian Birrell, Deputy Editor of The Independent says: “Sheffield Doc/Fest has established itself as a highly respected event, with a tremendous range of discussions, debates and documentaries. We are delighted to continue our involvement and sponsorship of the festival.”
Other sponsors and funders of Doc/Fest include the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky One, Skillset, Creative Sheffield and Screen Yorkshire.