Newburyport Documentary Film Festival - 2026

Newburyport Documentary Film Festival

The Newburyport Documentary Film Festival features some of the most thought-provoking and engaging documentary films on the big screen. View the lineup and purchase tickets now for the 2026 Film Festival, Friday, September 25th – Sunday, September 27th. Come celebrate this highly regarded filmmakers’ film festival and experience the outstanding 2026 lineup! The Newburyport Documentary Film Festival will showcase 35 films available for viewing at the Firehouse Center for the Arts, and the Newburyport Screening Room.  

Sneak Preview Night Event – 9/10/2026

Kick off the 2026 film fest season at the Sneak Preview Night Event featuring a special glimpse into the outstanding lineup for the 2026 Newburyport Documentary Film Festival. Join fellow documentary film lovers on Thursday September 10 at the Firehouse Center for the Arts starting with a 6 pm reception, followed by a SNEAK PREVIEW of the 2026 trailers. Make sure to register ASAP for this exciting event, while seats are still available.

2026 Showcase Films, Receptions & After-Parties

The 2026 lineup will feature one highly acclaimed Showcase Film every night of the festival, followed by an interactive Q&A with the Filmmaker. These exclusive Showcase evening films also include special access to pre-film reception events on Friday and Saturday evenings at the Firehouse Center for the Arts. Ticket holders are invited to celebrate all weekend long, connecting with fellow film enthusiasts and filmmakers at lively after-parties. The Friday evening after-party will take place at Loretta, the Saturday night gathering will be hosted at Brine, and the closing night festivities will begin immediately following the Q&A on the lower level of the Firehouse at Sea Level Oyster Bar. 

• Friday 9/25/26 -DAD GENES & WOMEN LAUGHING – after-party at Loretta
• Saturday 9/26/26 – EVERYBODY TO KENMURE STREET – afer-party at Brine
• Sunday 9/27/26 – FOREVER HOME & FROZEN FRAMES – after-party at Sea Level

In its 21st season, the Newburyport Documentary Film Festival has become known for attracting top-tier documentary films recognized for fostering community through engaging panel discussions, Q&A’s with filmmakers, in the intimate setting of historic seaside town of Newburyport. The interactive format of the festival encourages opportunities for collaboration and open dialog about topics important to the local,and global communities.

YES Award Event – Friday 9/25/2026

Register now for the 2026 Film Festival “YES” Award event! On Friday, September 25th from 3-4:50 pm, prior to opening night of the Film Festival, the Newburyport Screening Room will host a FREE showing of four short films produced by current student filmmakers and recent graduates from 45 top film colleges and universities nationwide.  These up-and-coming filmmakers will be competing for this year’s $1,000 “YES” Award. The name YES stands for, Young Emerging-Filmmakers Showcase is considered a highly respected industry achievement in addition to the financial reward. Make sure to register for this free event in advance in order to reserve a seat. The end time for this event accounts for both the viewing of the five featured films as well as the post-screening Q & A.

Collaborative Filmmakers Events

The Newburyport Documentary Film Festival is widely known as a, “filmmakers film festival. The 2026 Festival will host a Filmmakers Roundtable on Saturday, 9/26 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm at the Coffee Factory. On Sunday morning 9/27 from 9 – 10 am filmmakers will gather to participate in the Work in Progress session, an opportunity to see footage from films that are nearing completion and provide the filmmakers feedback.

A link will be available here to view the 2026 film line-up, film trailers, and to purchase tickets, as soon as details are officially publised on the Newburyport Documentary Film Festival website.

In addition to the annual Newburyport Documentary Film Festival hosted each September, the NBPT DOCU FEST features additional events and educational sessions throughout the year, in order to further engage the community.

Newburyport.com Nonprofit Partner & VIP Card Discounts

The Newburyport Documentary Film Festival is part of the Newburyport.com Nonprofit Partner Program. Newburyport.com is a small local media company that donates their time uses their substantial media platform to help provide broad awareness for local nonprofits. In addition, they run a VIP Card Loyalty Program that designed to help drive business for local restaurants, shops and lodging businesses. 40% of VIP Card Sales are donated to local nonprofit partners, like NBPT DOCU FEST so whether you live locally or visit a few times a year, please consider purchasing a VIP Card. Purchase a Newburyport VIP Card for $25 and and $10 of your purchase will be donated to The Newburyport Documentary Film Festival.  Use the form on this page to order your VIP Card. You can view participating VIP Businesses by downloading the, “Newburyport” App or by visiting the VIP Card Discounts page on the website.

Below are trailers for a few of the 2026 Documentary Film Festival Films. Visit the Documentary Film Festival website to view trailers for all of the 2026 films.