What FIPADOC does

FIPADOC is an international documentary film festival founded in 2018 (first edition held January 2019) and headquartered in Biarritz, France. It operates as a French non-profit (legal name: FIPADOC | Festival international du film documentaire) and runs an annual festival every January that screens 150+ documentary films from approximately 35 nationalities across competitive categories including International, National, Musical, Impact, Immersive, and Short documentaries. The festival serves three primary customer segments: (1) film industry professionals (producers, commissioning editors, distributors, festival programmers, directors) who attend FIPADOC Pro for networking, pitch sessions, and co-production deal-making — a record 2,627 accredited professionals attended in 2025, with 350 international attendees from 51 nationalities; (2) general public audiences in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region who purchase festival passes and individual tickets; and (3) educational audiences (school groups, university students, young filmmakers) reached through the Campus program and its partner cinema network across 14 cinemas in Pyrénées-Atlantiques.

The festival's product portfolio extends beyond screenings to include FIPADOC Pro (industry days with pitch sessions, conferences, and masterclasses), Biarritz Immersive (a VR/AR/360° documentary space operated in partnership with HERVÉ), the Impact Lab (impact strategy coaching with Think-Film Impact Producing), Story Lab (3-month script development program with Le Socle Formations and SCAM), DOC À LA PAGE (book-to-film pitch sessions with 12 books annually), and Meet & Match Visegrad (a regional networking initiative). Core technology consists of the Festicine platform handling ticketing and professional accreditation, interactive venue mapping, and a video recording/streaming system for industry sessions.

FIPADOC's business model combines three revenue streams: (1) ticket and pass sales (€60 full festival pass, €25 weekend, €15 day, €8 single session, with reduced rates for under-26s, people with disabilities, and job seekers), (2) professional accreditation fees, and (3) government and institutional subsidies from Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Ville de Biarritz, Département des Pyrénées-Atlantiques, CNC, Centre national de la musique, ALCA, the European Union (Erasmus+), and the Council of Europe. Major prizes are funded by these public bodies plus corporate sponsors including Banque Populaire, SACEM, Enedis, France Télévisions, and INA-madelen. The festival is positioning itself as the opening major international documentary event of the calendar year, with an annual Focus program rotating through European territories to deepen institutional relationships.

Name

FIPADOC

Legal name

FIPADOC | Festival international du film documentaire

Website

https://fipadoc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FIPADOC is a French non-profit organization that operates an annual international documentary film festival in Biarritz, France, serving documentary filmmakers, industry professionals, and general audiences through competitive screenings, professional pitch sessions, educational outreach, and immersive VR/AR programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Documentary Film Festival

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)

akta.pro primary industry

Film Festivals & Festival Organizers (MPADAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Campus & Educational Screenings (Universities, Schools) (MPADAKAI), Screening Rooms & Cinematheques (Nonprofit/Institutional) (MPADAKAF), Social Issue & Advocacy Documentaries (MPADADAG), Business, Politics & Current Affairs Documentaries (MPADADAJ), Multimedia Learning Production (Video, Animation, Interactive) (EDAGAKAG)

Keywords

• Documentary film festival
• Film industry events
• Co-production market
• Educational film programs
• Immersive media experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Festival Pass and Ticket Sales: The festival generates revenue through the sale of festival passes (Full Festival pass at €60, Weekend pass at €25, Day pass at €15) and individual session tickets (€8/€4). Passes provide unlimited access to screenings subject to availability and are nominative and non-transferable.
2. Professional Accreditations: The festival sells professional accreditations to industry attendees (around 2,627 accredited professionals in 2025), granting access to FIPADOC Pro industry events, pitch sessions, conferences, and networking activities.
3. Government and Institutional Subsidies: FIPADOC receives financial support from public institutions including the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Ville de Biarritz, Département des Pyrénées-Atlantiques, CNC (Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée), Centre national de la musique, ALCA, and the European Union (Erasmus+). Major prizes are also funded by these bodies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FIPADOC is an annual international documentary film festival held in Biarritz, France, featuring competitive screenings of documentary films, industry-focused days for film professionals, educational outreach programs for schools and universities, and immersive technology experiences. The festival combines public-facing cultural programming with B2B industry services such as co-production market activities and professional networking events.

Product overview

FIPADOC is an international documentary film festival based in Biarritz, France, operating as a multi-component platform combining a main festival with professional industry programs, educational outreach, and immersive technology experiences. The core FIPADOC Festival runs annually in January featuring competitive documentary selections across International, National, Musical, Impact, and other categories. FIPADOC Pro provides professional industry days with pitching sessions, conferences, and networking. Campus delivers educational programming for students and young filmmakers. Biarritz Immersive showcases VR, AR, and interactive digital documentary experiences. Additional specialized offerings include the Impact Lab for impact strategy coaching, Story Lab for script development training, DOC À LA PAGE for book-to-film adaptation, and Meet & Match Visegrad for regional professional networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FIPADOC Pro: The industry days section of the festival, bringing together documentary professionals for networking, pitches, and professional development sessions.
• Campus
• Biarritz Immersive

Products and services

• FIPADOC Festival Annual international documentary film festival held in Biarritz, France, featuring competitive screenings of documentary films, special events, and public programming for general audiences and documentary enthusiasts.
• Industry Days Industry-focused days within the festival designed for film professionals including distributors, buyers, broadcasters, producers, and commissioning editors, offering networking, co-production opportunities, and project showcases.
• Educational Programs Educational outreach programs targeting schools, universities, and students, providing access to documentary film content and learning opportunities tied to the festival program.
• Immersive Technology Experiences Immersive technology experiences combining documentary content with immersive media formats, offered as part of the festival program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,627 accredited professionals in 2025, up from previous years (described as a 'record' for the 7th edition)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

42 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Région Nouvelle-AquitainecoreOthersMajor institutional funder of FIPADOC, providing funding for the Grand Prix Documentaire International (€5,000) and general festival operations. Also funds the European First Film pitches and youth creation prizes through Erasmus+ France / Éducation Formation.
• Ville de BiarritzcoreOthersHost city and institutional funder of FIPADOC, providing funding for the Grand Prix Documentaire National (€5,000) and hosting the festival across its venues.
• Département des Pyrénées-AtlantiquescoreOthersDepartmental institutional partner supporting the festival, including funding the Prix Smart-Biarritz Immersive (€3,000) and Campus educational programs. Also partner for the Biarritz Immersive space.
• CNC (Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée)coreOthersFrance's national film and moving image centre, providing institutional support and funding for industry programming. Organizes co-production forums and provides expertise on financing.
• France TélévisionscoreOthersMajor French public broadcaster and commissioning editor at FIPADOC Pro. Provides the Prix Découverte Michel Mitrani (€3,000 + broadcast). Representatives participate in conferences, pitch sessions, and industry meetings.
• ARTEcoreOthersFranco-German public broadcaster and key commissioning editor at FIPADOC Pro. Representatives participate in industry panels and coproduction meetings.
• HBO MaxcoreOthersInternational streaming platform participating as commissioning editor at FIPADOC Pro, represented at industry sessions and conferences.
• ALCA (Agence Livre, Cinéma & Audiovisuel Nouvelle-Aquitaine)majorOthersRegional cultural agency for Nouvelle-Aquitaine supporting FIPADOC, including co-organizing the Premiers Films en Région pitch sessions and providing regional industry programming.
• HERVÉmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company responsible for implementing and operating the Biarritz Immersive space at FIPADOC, managing VR, AR, 360°, and interactive documentary experiences.
• Think-Film Impact Producing (TFIP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational impact producing organization partnering with FIPADOC to deliver the Impact Lab program, providing methodology and expertise for documentary impact campaigns.
• Le Socle FormationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining organization partnering with FIPADOC to deliver the Story Lab program, a 3-month documentary writing and pitching development course culminating in presentations at the festival.
• SCAM (Société Civile des Auteurs Multimédia)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench authors' rights society supporting FIPADOC through the Story Lab program and broader professional programming. Represents screenwriters and creators.
• SCELFminorOthersSupporting partner for DOC À LA PAGE, the literary adaptation pitch session at FIPADOC Pro.
• CNL (Centre National du Livre)minorOthersSupporting partner for DOC À LA PAGE literary adaptation sessions.
• CFC (Centre Français d'Exploitation du Droit de Copie)minorOthersSupporting partner for DOC À LA PAGE literary adaptation sessions.
• Fondation Jan MichalskiminorOthersSupporting partner for DOC À LA PAGE literary adaptation sessions.
• Federación de Gremios de Editores de EspañaminorOthersSpanish publishers' federation partnering for the 2026 Focus on Spain and Portugal, bringing Spanish publishers to present works at DOC À LA PAGE.
• LCP - Assemblée nationaleminorOthersFrench public broadcaster (Public Senate channel) participating in FIPADOC Pro industry sessions and conferences.
• Public SénatminorOthersFrench public broadcaster participating in FIPADOC Pro industry sessions.
• M6minorOthersFrench private broadcaster participating in FIPADOC Pro industry sessions.
• T18minorOthersFrench regional broadcaster participating in FIPADOC Pro industry sessions.
• NOVO19minorOthersFrench media platform participating in FIPADOC Pro industry sessions.
• TV3 CatalunyaminorOthersCatalan public broadcaster participating in FIPADOC Pro industry sessions.
• Institut du Film Documentaire (IDF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzech documentary institute partnering through Meet & Match Visegrad program to connect Visegrad region documentary professionals with French and European industry.
• Madoke (Hongrian Documentary Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHungarian documentary association partnering through Meet & Match Visegrad program.
• Krakow Film Foundation (KFF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish film foundation partnering through Meet & Match Visegrad program.
• DocLab PolandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish documentary lab organization partnering through Meet & Match Visegrad program.
• Centre National de la Musique (CNM)minorOthersFrench national music centre supporting the FIPADOC Pro program, particularly the music documentary programming.
• SACEMminorOthersFrench music authors' society funding the Prix Sacem de la musique originale (€3,000) awarded at FIPADOC.
• INA-madelenminorOthersFrench broadcasting platform providing the Prix du public award (€5,000) at FIPADOC.
• Assembléeparlamentaire du Conseil de l'EuropeminorOthersParliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe funding the Prix Droits humains en action (€5,000).
• TënkminorOthersFrench documentary streaming platform awarding the Prix Tënk (€500 + platform distribution) to a film in the Jeune Création section.
• Doc Around EuropeminorOthersEuropean documentary network co-funding the Prix des jeunes Européens (€2,000).
• Cinémathèque du documentaire – Images de la cultureminorOthersFrench documentary film library acquiring impact documentary films for the Images de la culture catalog (€5,000 acquisition) as part of the Grand Prix Impact award.
• ProcirepminorOthersFrench producers' guild participating in FIPADOC Pro industry programming.
• SPI (Syndicat des Producteurs Indépendants)minorOthersFrench independent producers' union participating in FIPADOC Pro industry programming.
• USPA (Union des Syndicats de Producteurs Audiovisuels)minorOthersFrench audiovisual producers' union participating in FIPADOC Pro industry programming.
• Docs BarcelonaminorOthersSpanish documentary festival partnering through coproduction forum with FIPADOC.
• Dok.Fest MünchenminorOthersGerman documentary festival partnering through coproduction forum with FIPADOC.
• Lau HaizetaraminorOthersBasque documentary forum partnering through coproduction forum with FIPADOC.
• Bio to BminorOthersDocumentary industry event partnering through coproduction forum with FIPADOC.
• Al JazeeraminorOthersInternational broadcaster awarding the Al Jazeera award at FIPADOC's International Pitches coproduction forum.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hot Docs: Hot Docs is a leading North American documentary festival in Toronto with competitive sections and a strong industry program (Hot Docs Forum, Doc Accelerator). Competes with FIPADOC for international documentary projects seeking global festival exposure and co-production financing.
• Cinéma du Réel: Cinéma du Réel is France's premier documentary festival held at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, with competitive sections and an industry platform (Dream Factory / Rough Cut platform). Domestic French competitor sharing many of the same institutional funders (CNC) and overlapping filmmaker/professional pools.
• DOK Leipzig: DOK Leipzig is Germany's premier documentary and animated film festival with competitive sections and industry programs. Direct competitor for German/European documentary premieres and a long-standing documentary marketplace, particularly relevant given FIPADOC's first-edition focus on Germany.
• Visions du Réel: Visions du Réel is a Swiss documentary film festival in Nyon focused on artistic and auteur documentary cinema, with competitive sections and an industry platform (Visions du Réel Industry). Overlapping in target audience (international professionals, arthouse documentary ecosystem) with FIPADOC.
• CPH:DOX: CPH:DOX is a major international documentary festival in Copenhagen with competitive sections, a substantial industry program (CPH:DOX Forum for buyers/sellers/commissioners), and a strong focus on emerging formats. It directly competes with FIPADOC for European documentary premieres, industry attendance, and commissioning editor presence.
• Thessaloniki Documentary Festival: Thessaloniki Documentary Festival is a major European documentary festival in Greece with competitive sections, an Agora industry market, and educational programs. Overlaps with FIPADOC in target audience, institutional European funders, and Mediterranean/southern European industry networks.
• Sheffield DocFest: Sheffield DocFest is a UK documentary festival with a strong industry focus (Doc/Fest Sessions, MeetMarket, Talent Lab) and competitive sections. Direct competitor for European documentary industry attendance, commissioning editor participation, and emerging filmmaker pitching platforms.
• IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam): IDFA is the world's largest documentary film festival and the most direct competitor to FIPADOC, running an annual festival with competitive sections, an industry program (IDA Forum forums), and educational outreach. Both festivals serve the same international documentary professional community and compete for premieres, commissioning editors, and emerging filmmaker submissions.

Emerging players

• DocsBarcelona: DocsBarcelona is a Spanish documentary festival and industry event with a co-production forum partnered with FIPADOC. Smaller scale but emerging as a complementary Iberian documentary hub, especially relevant given FIPADOC's 2026 Focus on Spain & Portugal.

Regional players

• Festival dei Popoli: Festival dei Popoli is Italy's oldest documentary festival, focused on Italian cinema, but with international scope and industry programming. It is a regional peer given FIPADOC's Focus on Italy in 2024 and overlap in Mediterranean documentary ecosystem, but operates primarily in Florence serving a different national market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkgasVEp2CuplyxwjwwXOaw
• Facebookfacebook.com/fipadoc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fipadoc
• Instagraminstagram.com/fipadoc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FIPADOC