Ola Staszel to become the new director of DOK Leipzig

The film and literature scholar Ola Staszel is to become the new director of the documentary film festival DOK Leipzig. This was decided by a selection committee chaired by Leipzig's Head of Cultural Affairs Skadi Jennicke, the festival announced.

Staszel is to succeed the current festival director Christoph Terhechte, who is retiring early for personal reasons, on January 1, 2026. Leipzig City Council has yet to make a final decision on the appointment.

Born in Poland, Staszel was most recently co-head of the Neisse Film Festival in the border triangle between Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. She is known for focusing on Eastern European topics, said Jennicke, Head of Cultural Affairs. This will continue a tradition of the Leipzig documentary film festival.

DOK Leipzig will be held this year from October 27 to November 2. A total of 252 long and short documentaries as well as animated films are on the program at DOK Leipzig.