CPH:DOX 2026 to welcome FIPRESCI’s first official Critics’ Jury

CPH:DOX is pleased to announce a new collaboration with the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), welcoming the first official FIPRESCI critics’ jury at the 23rd edition of the festival, taking place March 11-22, 2026.

Although FIPRESCI has long maintained an active national section in Denmark, this marks the federation’s first official presence at a Danish film festival, expanding their reach within the Nordic region.​

A three-member international jury, including one representative from FIPRESCI’s Danish national section, will present the FIPRESCI Award to a documentary selected from the main competitive program of the festival, the DOX:AWARD. Founded in 1925 as a global network of critics from over 50 countries, FIPRESCI promotes film art, supports emerging cinema, and fosters critical discourse through around 80 juries annually with presence at major events like Cannes, Berlin, and Venice amongst many others, of which only 11 focus on non-fiction.​​

“FIPRESCI and CPH:DOX share the same values and belief that documentary films can broaden our horizons and reduce the distance between us. Establishing a jury at one of the world’s most significant documentary festivals reinforces FIPRESCI’s commitment to recognizing and supporting this vital form of filmmaking. Through this initiative, FIPRESCI continues to promote the art of film criticism and to celebrate documentary films as powerful tools for understanding and connection,” says Ahmed Shawky, President of FIPRESCI.​

“Having FIPRESCI’s respected critical perspective as part of the festival will help deepen meaningful conversations around the documentaries brought to light at CPH:DOX. It supports the festival’s ongoing effort to offer a space where stories can be experienced and discussed from diverse viewpoints,” says Niklas Engstrøm, Artistic Director of CPH:DOX.

The honorary FIPRESCI jury will be announced together with the juries of the rest of the competition sections at the festival program in the leadup to the 2026 edition – DOX:AWARD, F:ACT AWARD, NEXT:WAVE, HUMAN:RIGHTS and NEW:VISION.

©FIPRESCI 2025