Climate Spring Digital-First Pitch at Sheffield DocFest 

The Climate Spring Pitch at Sheffield DocFest returns in 2026 with a new digital-first format for UK-based storytellers to create solution and community-focused content tackling the climate crisis.

What’s new

This year’s pitch competition introduces a new digital-first approach, responding to audiences’ growing appetite for formats that meet them where they discover and engage with content in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape. The pitch champions creatives to explore bold and innovative unscripted storytelling for digital audiences, centering the power of community and offering solution-oriented visions of the future. 

David Leach, Head of Unscripted at Climate Spring: “We’re excited to return to Sheffield DocFest with a digital-first competition, responding to audiences’ growing appetite for content that meets them where they discover and engage with content today. With this year's pitch, we encourage creatives to explore innovative and timely unscripted ideas that entertain broad digital audiences, centre the power of community, and offer visions of a future where system change is possible. We’re excited to see how creatives will rise to the challenge.”

What we’re looking for

Judges are looking for early development, high-impact, short-form documentary formats designed specifically for digital platforms, for example, a visual podcast, interview series, archive documentary, access, comedy show, road trip, talent-led format or influencer explainer.

Applicants must submit proposals that consider one of two theme strands outlined in the full pitch brief:

• Rethinking the Future - stories that show how system change in areas including technology, food, transport, housing, or energy can improve lives; or
• The Power of Community, looking at ideas that celebrate community and co-operation.

How the pitch works

• Following the deadline for submissions on Monday 11th May, judges will select four shortlisted creatives who will be invited to pitch their idea live at Sheffield DocFest in June 2026. The shortlisted ideas will receive some support and guidance to help get their proposals pitch-ready. The competition will be judged by experts in digital content, documentary and climate narrative. To aid a quick decision on the day, the panel of judges will see some of the pitch materials in advance of the session. Shortlisted applicants will receive a complimentary festival pass to the festival and a contribution (£200) to their travel and accommodation.‍
• One winner will receive £10,000 in production funding to create and distribute their project with narrative consultation from leading experts at Climate Spring.

Who can apply

The programme is aimed at UK-based storytellers experienced in producing mainstream or digital content, from producers, creators, directors to production companies, looking to road-test ideas, raise their profile or supercharge the development of a project that tackles a climate narrative they feel passionately about. 

‍Key dates, information and how to apply

• The full creative brief can be found here.
• Applications open: 1st April
• How to apply: Fill in the application form here
• Deadline: 1:00 pm, Monday, 11th May
• Pitch and winner selection at Sheffield DocFest: Thursday, 11th June.

For further resources, read and download Climate Spring’s storytelling guide ‘From Apocalypse to Regenerative Futures’ here.