Determine when and how documentaries should be submitted. Submission information should include type of documentaries being accepted, their length and any other information needed to fit the type of festival being held.
Set a date and time for the documentary festival. Make sure you set the date and time for a period when most people would best be able to attend regardless of work schedules.
Find a location to hold the festival. It should be a place that has a wide screen or at least be able to fit one and that has acoustics that would be good to show movies.
Make decisions regarding which documentaries will be shown at the festival.
Publicize the festival. Cover all forms of media and be sure to publicize in media that specifically targets the audience for the type of festival you're holding.
Plan a question and answer session with the directors following the viewing of each film. Keep the Q & A to five minutes. That allows enough time for questions to be answered and to keep the festival moving.
Organize a reception that will follow the festival. It should be simple and allow those who attend to mingle with the directors of the documentaries.