Guardian Documentaries and arte.tv have joined forces to support filmmakers making documentary shorts, exploring the theme of Democracy at Stake in Europe.
Announced at Sheffield DocFest, the initiative opened for submissions yesterday (11 June 2026) and invites filmmakers from across Europe to pitch character-led short documentaries examining the challenges facing democratic societies today. One winning project will receive £10,000 in production funding, editorial and creative support from both organisations and distribution across Guardian and arte.tv platforms. It will also be translated into seven different European languages.
The partnership brings together two of Europe's most respected news and non-fiction media organisations, united by a commitment to public-interest storytelling and a belief in the power of documentary filmmaking to deepen understanding and spark debate.
Together, Guardian Documentaries and arte.tv say they offer filmmakers the opportunity to reach audiences across Europe and beyond, through their trusted editorial platforms and distinctive approaches to storytelling.
“Democracy at Stake in Europe” invites filmmakers to examine pressures facing democratic systems, institutions, and societies across the continent — from the rise of authoritarian movements and threats to press freedom, to the erosion of civil rights, electoral integrity, and civic trust, say the Guardian and arte.tv.
Guardian Documentaries and arte.tv say they are on the search for stories that illuminate these challenges, offer fresh and personal perspectives to help audiences understand what democracy in Europe means today.
Jess Gormley, executive producer, 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, ZDF/ARTE said: “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.”
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