MajorDocs: Documentary Film Festival in Palma Begins — Program Insights and Tips

MajorDocs in Palma: Seven days of cinema, conversations and short nights

Today, on 25 November 2025, the documentary film festival MajorDocs begins at CineCiutat in Palma. If you enjoy seeing real stories on the big screen, keep the next few days free: through Saturday international documentaries and a curated program of short films by and about the Balearic Islands will be screened.

This year’s selection takes you to many places: from Cuba and Ukraine to Peru and Berlin. Thematically it spans the contemporary — everyday life in wartime, digital parallel worlds and mental health are just a few chapters. This is not a festival for quick effects, but for films that stay with you.

What’s showing — and what does it cost?

The program includes eight feature-length documentaries, complemented by short films from local producers. Screenings usually start in the late afternoon and run into the evening; convenient if you want to stroll through the old town beforehand or grab a coffee on the Passeig del Born. A festival pass costs €35, individual screenings are available for €5 — very fair, considering how much work goes into these projects.

Talks and masterclasses

In addition to the films, there are masterclasses and audience talks with filmmakers. One of the guests mentioned is the British filmmaker Ben Rivers, who will speak in smaller groups about research work and the eye for long-form documentaries. These talks are often the best part: you meet other curious people, exchange opinions and learn how a film came together.

Practical note: CineCiutat is centrally located and easy to reach in the evenings. The foyer can get crowded during event times — so bring a little patience, and perhaps a jacket for the cool November air on the way home.

What I’m looking forward to

I personally like festivals because they open up new perspectives. A film about digital life that I hadn’t known yesterday can stick in my head for weeks. So, if you have a soft spot for quiet, powerful images: go, give yourself time for a screening and stay after the credits — sometimes the best conversations start right then.

The full program is available online on the festival’s website — check screening times in advance, there are overlaps and some events sell out quickly. See you at the cinema, maybe at the 7 pm screening, with or without popcorn — it doesn’t matter. The important thing is: great stories and a full house.