The International Documentary Challenge is a timed filmmaking competition where filmmaking teams from around the world have just five days to make a short documentary film. This year's challenge, which is the 5th edition, takes place March 4-8, 2010 with the Hot Docs premiere of the Finalists in early May.
At The International Documentary Challenge all of the registered participants make their films during the same time period in March 4-8 and are required to ship the movie by the deadline. In addition to being restricted on time, the filmmakers must choose between two assigned documentary genres and are assigned a specific theme that will dictate the content and direction of their film.
The top 12 films, which are determined by a panel of judges, premiere at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival in Toronto where the winners are announced. After the premiere, there are additional theatrical screenings in major cities, possible television exposure and a DVD elease of the best films. The films are also streamed on the Doc Challenge website for voting for the Audience Award and many films, including non-finalists, can be seen on the SnagFilms Doc Challenge Channel.