The International Emmy Award for Best Documentary is presented since 1967 by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (IATAS) to the best documentaries produced and aired initially outside the United States.

[1] According to the rules of the International Academy, documentary is a factual presentation providing an in-depth analysis of a specific subject or point of view supported by evidence and informed commentary, on any subject other than art and artists.

[2] The program should fit the minimum format length of a televised half-hour time slot.

If the program contains multiple parts with a continuing storyline beyond one episode, or share the same concept, two (2) episodes must be submitted to represent the series as a whole.

The program may employ partial re-enactment, stock footage, stills, animation, stop-motion or other techniques, as long as the emphasis is on fact and not on fiction United Kingdom has the most awards for this category with 23 (including wins for both BBC and Channel 4).