Visions du Réel offers a moment of suspended time in which to bridge human divides through the medium of cinema. This is the very role of a festival, and of culture more broadly, which, then as now, must be relentlessly promoted and defended, in Switzerland and elsewhere, precisely in the name of everything it helps to build, or deconstruct. The programme will be released on 25 March 2026.
Kelly Reichardt
Guest of Honour 2026
Visions du Réel welcomes Kelly Reichardt as Guest of Honour of its 57th edition. The filmmaker will take part in the Festival through a Masterclass, a Retrospective, a Carte blanche and a preview screening.
Sergei Loznitsa
Special Guest 2026
Visions du Réel is privileged and honoured to announce that the eminent Ukrainian filmmaker, Sergei Loznitsa, will be the Special Guest at the 57th edition of the Festival.
Industry Special Guest
Laura Poitras will be the Special Guest at the opening of the 24th edition of VdR–Industry! Her most recent film will be screened as part of the Official Selection.
International Feature Film Competition
The International Feature Film Competition celebrates the best of contemporary non-fiction filmmaking, in all its originality and eclecticism.
Burning Lights Competition
Burning Lights is an international competition of feature films dedicated to novel, free, adventurous and contemporary perspectives in cinema.
National Competition
Dedicated to feature-length and medium-length films (co)produced in Switzerland, the National Competition showcases the tremendous diversity and excellence of Swiss production.
International Medium Length & Short Film Competition
The International Short and Medium Length Film Competition celebrates the best of shorter formats in contemporary non-fiction filmmaking, in all their originality and eclecticism.
Wide Angle
Wide Angle is a competitive section of feature films that have already won over audiences at other festivals or that will mark the coming year.
Opening Scenes
Dedicated to the best contemporary emerging directors, the Opening Scenes competition presents 15 first short films or student films.
Highlights
Highlights is a non-competitive section of feature-length films which presents a selection of the selection committee’s “must-see” films.
Special Screenings
A selection of films presented out of competition: works with specific formats, films directed by members of the official juries, series, and homages.
Doc Alliance Selection
A selection of films amongst the ones nominated by the seven Doc Alliance festival partners.