Guardian Documentaries and arte.tv have joined forces to launch a £10,000 documentary fund aimed at supporting filmmakers who explore the theme of democracy in Europe today. The initiative, titled Democracy at Stake in Europe, was announced at Sheffield DocFest and opens for submissions on 11 June 2026.
Partnership for public-interest storytelling
The collaboration brings together two of Europe’s most respected news and non-fiction media organisations, 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. The documentary will also be translated into seven European languages.
Guardian Documentaries and arte.tv aim to offer filmmakers the opportunity to reach audiences across Europe and beyond through their trusted editorial platforms and distinctive storytelling approaches.
Democracy at Stake in Europe
The fund invites filmmakers to examine pressures facing democratic systems, institutions, and societies across the continent. Topics include the rise of authoritarian movements, threats to press freedom, erosion of civil rights, electoral integrity, and civic trust. The partners are seeking character-led short documentaries that illuminate these challenges and offer fresh, personal perspectives to help audiences understand what democracy in Europe means today.
Quotes 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 at 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
Pitching opens on 11 June and runs until 14 September 2026. Filmmakers can submit proposals for short-form documentary projects engaging with the theme of Democracy at Stake in Europe. Full submission guidelines and eligibility criteria are available on the Guardian’s website.
About Guardian Documentaries
Guardian Documentaries reflect the Guardian’s editorial purpose and values. It commissions and curates films from around the world, telling contemporary stories with a unique artistic vision that provoke, surprise and engage audiences. 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. Films have screened at leading festivals such as Cannes, Tribeca, Sundance, and Sheffield DocFest.
Guardian Media Group is one of the world’s largest and most-trusted quality newsbrands, publisher of the Guardian, theguardian.com, and the Guardian app. Founded over 200 years ago, the Guardian now serves audiences through five editions: Australia, Europe, International, UK, and US. With no billionaire owner, it is renowned for fearless investigative journalism and independent ownership.
About arte.tv
ARTE is a pioneering European public media service, uniting audiences through high-quality, multilingual content. Available free of charge in seven languages—German, French, English, Polish, Spanish, Italian, and Romanian—it streams documentaries, concerts, cinema, and current affairs. Its productions and co-productions have won numerous awards, including Oscars and BAFTAs, most recently for Mr Nobody Against Putin. ARTE is also a cultural network of 14 partner broadcasters and institutions across Europe.
