DocAviv operates in the heart of one of the most innovative, vibrant and surprisingly creative arenas. The association provides a unique stage throughout the country for documentary filmmakers, bringing new audiences and encouraging creativity that expands and explores the boundaries of the genre.

The highlight of the organisation's activities is the DocaAviv Festival, Tel Aviv, which is the largest and one of the most appreciated in the world. Every year, more than one hundred and thirty new films from Israel and around the world are presented as part of a program that includes the Israeli competition, the international competition, the depth of field competition, the short competition and the student film competition. Each year, the festival awards the largest prizes in Israel to original Israeli documentary work, alongside other prizes for Israeli and international films and outstanding student films. Prizes are also awarded at the annual Student Pitching Competition of DocuYoung. As of 2018, DocAviv has been selected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars) as one of the leading festivals whose winners are automatically eligible for an Oscar nomination. From this year, the winning films in the Israeli, international and short competitions will be eligible to submit their Oscar nominations in the documentary category.

The association has made it its mission to encourage and promote young documentary work through annual projects such as DocuYoung, films are screened at the festival. To expose the documentary work and bring it to the widest possible audiences, the organisation holds annual regional festivals such as Docaviv-Galilee in Ma'a lot Tarshiha, DocAviv Negev in Yeruham and throughout the Negev, as well as screenings of dozens of documentaries in various cultural centres throughout the country. During the year DocAviv operates the DocAviv Cinema, which screens the best documentaries of the year every month, and as of 2020 also the Docustream program.