About us

CPH:DOX was founded in 2003. CPH:DOX has had the pleasure of introducing its audience to some of the best Danish and international documentary films in Copenhagen for 20 years.

CPH:DOX doesn’t just show documentary films – we anchor them in social context through debates, artist talks, events and masterclasses. In the hope of creating real social transformation, CPH:DOX establishes a space for reflection, dialogue and opinion across our society, making sure that the films and their themes stay with the viewers long after the films have ended.

CPH:DOX also caters for the established film and media industry, as well as new artists, with our 5-day industry event CPH:CONFERENCE, CPH:MARKET, CPH:LAB, and our international financing and co-production event CPH:FORUM.

Here you can find our mission statement and core values.

MISSION:

CPH:DOX aims to support and promote documentary film as an art form and as a multifaceted medium that conveys knowledge and inspires reflection and democratic dialogue. CPH:DOX is founded on the belief that a film festival should not only cater to those specifically interested in film. It should be a cultural manifestation that focuses on the most important questions and issues of our time – from the individually existential to the structurally global. We believe that documentary films can broaden our horizons and reduce the distance between us.

CORE VALUES

Curiosity

CPH:DOX is driven by a genuine curiosity about the world. We are eager to understand our shared history as well as our common future. We are curious about interconnections, new perspectives, and we question the status quo.

Dialogue

CPH:DOX works to enhance public discourse. We believe in dialogue as a key to exploring different perspectives, challenging ingrained beliefs, and connecting across differences. We understand that conversation is never free from power dynamics and that dialogue does not solve everything – but we see it as the most constructive way to exchange opinions.

Diversity

CPH:DOX supports pluralism. We aim to make room for a multitude of opinions and ideas, including those that challenge our own perspective as a festival. We also recognise that opinions and perspectives are shaped by who we are, and therefore, we strive to create space for a diversity of voices, whether it be related to gender, ethnicity, nationality, social background, or geographic location.

Relevance

As a contemporary documentary film festival, we strive to put the most important topics of our time on the agenda. Our programme should say something significant about the world, whether it is overlooked stories and slow developments, or very current events and future perspectives.

Creativity

We celebrate and support documentary films as creative interpretations of reality. We strive to be a driving force for aesthetic innovation, artistic originality, and creative development – both in terms of the documentary film as a medium, and the festival as a cultural institution.

Engagement

CPH:DOX exists to make a difference. We aim to increase engagement in society, in the world, and in public debate. That is why we collaborate with numerous partners to bring the film programme to life through talks, debates, and events, inspiring audiences to actively participate in the local and global community we live in.

Independence

CPH:DOX is an independent festival. We are not dictated by economic or political special interests and have no hidden political agendas. We create each festival program solely based on our core values, the events happening in the world, and the selection of new films available.