The 11th edition of the Doc'n Roll Film Festival is set to return to the UK this October, offering a dynamic mix of music, culture, and cinema. Running from the 24th of October to November 10th, the music documentary film festival not only lights up renowned London venues like BFI Southbank, the ICA, and Barbican Cinemas but also extends its reach to 12 other cities across the UK and Ireland, including Dublin, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
Still from 'Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted'
Portrait of Wu-Tang Clan's Ol' Dirty Bastard
Continuing its mission to spotlight innovative and under-the-radar music documentaries, Doc'n Roll celebrates the trailblazers, transgressors, and inspirational underdogs who shape the music world. This year's programme is particularly ambitious, featuring 26 premiere feature films—including four world premieres and seven international premieres—and hosting 80 events nationwide.
Barbara Dane and Bob Dylan from the film 'The 9 Lives of Barbara Dane'
Audiences can embark on a musical journey that spans the globe, from the lively streets of New York City to the creative hubs of Melbourne and Toronto. The festival showcases a broad spectrum of genres, including rock, punk, hip-hop, folk, R&B, experimental music, and jazz. Highlights include the first official documentary on Wu-Tang Clan's Ol' Dirty Bastard, offering an intimate look into the life of the iconic rapper, and Hakeem, an exploration of British singer-songwriter Hak Baker, culminating in a live performance at the IMAX.
Hak Baker in the flyer image for the 'Hakeem' documentary
Vanessa Lobon Garcia, director and co-founder of Doc'n Roll Film Fest, expressed her excitement about this year's lineup. "I am thrilled to announce that our programme will feature more women than ever before—a significant achievement in a genre still dominated by male perspectives," she noted. "Including a film on the acclaimed painter Chris Gollon reflects our desire to bring stories of significant cultural impact to the big screen."
Many screenings will be followed by exclusive Q&A sessions with filmmakers and artists, providing unique insights into the creative processes behind the films. This interactive approach aligns with Doc'n Roll's commitment to celebrating music subcultures and providing a platform for marginalised voices.
Strawberry Switchblade in 'Since Yesterday' documentary still
Peaches in 'Teaches of Peaches' documentary still
A highlight of the festival is the Doc’n Roll Jury Award for Music Doc of the Year, with six films in competition. Judged by a panel of industry luminaries—including actress and director Caroline Catz, DJ and broadcaster DJ Paulette, and music journalist Daniel Dylan Wray—the award underscores the festival's dedication to recognizing outstanding contributions to music documentary filmmaking.
Despite challenges facing the film industry, Doc'n Roll remains steadfast in its mission. "We are delighted to bring fresh energy and audiences into cinemas," Lobon Garcia added. "Our festival thrives on the enthusiasm of our community, and we are proud to keep pushing boundaries, both in our programming and in how we champion independent cinema."
'Since Yesterday' documentary still
Tickets are now on sale via the Doc'n Roll website, offering film enthusiasts and music lovers an opportunity to experience these stories as they were meant to be seen—on the big screen and loud.
-
Bhutan's new international airport will unlock the magic of a notoriously inaccessible destinationThe Gelephu International Airport, to be designed by BIG, will open in 2029.
-
The Eagan house from 'Severance' available to rentThe Taghkanic House by Thomas Phifer serves as the home of Lumon’s CEO in the AppleTV+ series, and can be rented out for dystopian stays
-
The Further Reading Library is a new collection of esoteric art and design booksCollating the forgotten histories of left-field creatives, this new publishing imprint reveals hitherto unseen artistic experiments from the past
-
Celia Paul's colony of ghostly apparitions haunts Victoria MiroEerie and elegiac new London exhibition ‘Celia Paul: Colony of Ghosts’ is on show at Victoria Miro until 17 April
-
Teresa Pągowska's dreamy interpretations of the female form are in London for the first time‘Shadow Self’ in Thaddaeus Ropac’s 18th-century townhouse gallery in London, presents the first UK solo exhibition of Pągowska’s work
-
Sylvie Fleury's work in dialogue with Matisse makes for a provocative exploration of the female form'Drawing on Matisse, An Exhibition by Sylvie Fleury’ is on show until 2 May at Luxembourg + Co
-
What to see at BFI Flare film festival, 'a rich tapestry of queer experience'As one of the only film festivals to explicitly profile LGBTQI+ cinema, BFI Flare Film Festival remains a unique and beloved event. Here's what to see as it makes its return to London from 19 - 30 March
-
The enduring appeal of Transport for London’s seat designsFrom artist Rita Keegan’s new collage to fashion designer Adam Jones’ Overground suit, TfL moquettes continue to enjoy a cult status
-
‘There's a lot to fear and a lot to love in this world’: Penny Goring unveils new work in LondonA new collection of large-scale collages takes centre stage at 'Penny Goring: Cold Hunt Corsage' at Arcadia Missa, London
-
‘Leigh Bowery!’ at Tate Modern: 1980s alt-glamour, club culture and rebellionThe new Leigh Bowery exhibition in London is a dazzling, sequin-drenched look back at the 1980s, through the life of one of its brightest stars
-
‘Yay, To Have a Mouth!’: a London show explores our oral fixation, from Freud to fairytalesThis group show at Rose Easton gallery in east London, created in collaboration with Ginny on Frederick, uncovers our fascination with the mouth
