Nikolaus Geyrhalter is an Austrian filmmaker, was born in Vienna, Austria in 1972. He has directed, produced, written, and worked as cinematographer for numerous documentaries. He formed his own production company at 22 years old. His first documentary was the 1994 film Washed Ashore (German: Angeschwemmt), about life on the Danube. Mr. Geyrhalter was invited as a jury member in 2017, but was unable to participate. This year he will contribute greetings, contribute to the closing event and honor two award winners.

The Festival focuses on independent documentary cinema that incorporates both poetic narrative and social blockbusters; footage and mockumentary; art-house and science-fiction; classic and experiment.

The Festival organizers are convinced that films about real characters from all over the world can break down old stereotypes and bring together people of polar mentalities. Finely-told documentary stories can help find ways of understanding another culture and establish common ground when realities clash. Such films can also help bring closer aspirations and hopes of other people and even find the meaning of life.

DOKer invites the public to look at the world through the eyes of documentary makers from dozens of countries and share universal emotions, reflections and aspirations. From the opening sequence the viewer is projected into an unknown reality and within an hour may get familiar with strange culture and traditions from around the world, learn many facts and phenomena and become intimate with various characters.