Guardian Documentaries and arte.tv have joined forces on a new fund to support filmmakers making documentary shorts, exploring the theme of Democracy at Stake in Europe.

Announced at Sheffield DocFest, the initiative opens for submissions today and invites filmmakers from across Europe to pitch character-led short documentaries examining the challenges facing democratic societies today.

One winning project will receive £10,000 in production funding, editorial and creative support from both organisations and distribution across Guardian and arte.tv platforms. It will also be translated into seven different European languages.

“Democracy at Stake in Europe” invites filmmakers to examine pressures facing democratic systems, institutions, and societies across the continent — from the rise of authoritarian movements and threats to press freedom, to the erosion of civil rights, electoral integrity, and civic trust.

Guardian Documentaries and arte.tv are on the search for stories that “illuminate these challenges, offer fresh and personal perspectives to help audiences understand what democracy in Europe means today.”

Jess Gormley, executive producer, Guardian Documentaries said: “At a moment when democracy itself is being tested across Europe, we want to support filmmakers who are close to the personal stories that matter most. The Guardian has long been committed to reporting on the issues shaping Europe, and this partnership with arte.tv is a natural fit.  We share a belief that short-form documentaries can bring audiences together and change the way people see the world.”

Catherine Colas, commissioning editor, ZDF/ARTE said: “In all its formal and thematic diversity, the short film has long served as a voice for democracy. It possesses the unique ability to hold up a mirror to modern society and highlight its dysfunctions and contradictions in a timely and distinctive way. The partnership between the Guardian and ARTE enables new voices to be heard and gain visibility across a wide range of audiences.”

Pitching opens on 11 June and runs until 14th September, 2026. Filmmakers are invited to submit proposals for short-form documentary projects engaging with the theme of Democracy at Stake in Europe. Full submission guidelines and eligibility criteria are available here.