[3] Now open to worldwide entries, the week-long festival has been directed by film critic Jean Perret since 1995.

[6] During the early years of the Nyon International Documentary Film Festival, Erika de Hadeln negotiated with the film authorities in East Europe and Russia — and worked with documentary filmmakers including Joris Ivens, Roman Karmen, Georges Rouquier, Basil Wright, and Henri Storck.

[6] The event served as a template for film festivals that followed, including those in Amsterdam and Munich.

[6] Each year, the festival invites and pays tribute to a guest of honor who has made significant contributions in the field of documentary and/or fiction films.

Visions du Réel is part of the Doc Alliance – a creative partnership between seven European documentary film festivals.