Humanitarian Award Winners 2025 |

Best Shorts Humanitarian

2025 HUMANITARIAN AWARD WINNERS

The Humanitarian Award honors filmmakers who are bringing awareness to issues of Ecological, Political, Social Justice and Equality, Health and Wellness, Animals, Wildlife, Conservation and Spiritual importance while at the same time demonstrating excellence in storytelling and filmmaking craft. Congratulations to this year’s illustrious winners who are committed to making a difference in the world through memorable filmmaking. To read more about the award CLICK HERE:

Grand Prize

Take Heart: Songlines – Close the Gap
Mike Hill & Lorraine Kabbindi White

Mike Hill and Lorraine Kabbindi White (Australia), Take Heart: Songlines – Close the Gap Day Featurette, Doc Short – Emmy-winner Hill and Kabbindi White expose the relentless impact of Rheumatic Heart Disease on Indigenous Australians, claiming at least two young lives weekly. Blending intimate storytelling with urgent advocacy, it amplifies the voices of families and communities striving to eliminate RHD by 2030.

Outstanding Achievement

The Whistle –Nancy LaPook Diamond

Nancy LaPook Diamond (USA), The Whistle – From the Oscar-winning Six Point Harness Studio, this exquisitely crafted animated film transforms a powerful true story into a deeply moving exploration of empathy, moral courage, and the choices that define humanity in times of darkness. Under the deft direction of industry veteran Greg Franklin, the film’s masterful animation, expressive character design, and evocative use of color create a richly immersive world where emotion is conveyed through every frame. With extraordinary visual storytelling, nuanced performances without dialogue, and a carefully constructed narrative arc, the film delivers a timeless reflection on integrity, compassion, and the strength required to stand for what is right. Producer Nancy LaPook Diamond (Sophie and the Rising Sun) Executive Producer Josh Gad (Frozen, The Book of Morman, Beauty & the Beast). Written by Wendy Willis and Greg Franklin.

Bloody Trophy – Ewa Galica

Ewa Galica (Poland), Bloody Trophy – A hard-hitting and visually compelling investigation into the devastating global trade in rhino horn, this film combines fearless storytelling, meticulous research, and exceptional cinematography to expose the criminal networks threatening one of the planet’s most endangered species. Award-winning director Galica brings a powerful cinematic approach to this urgent issue, using rare access, revealing interviews, and disturbing footage to create a gripping portrait of exploitation, greed, and the human cost of wildlife trafficking. Beyond uncovering a hidden world of international crime, the film highlights the courage of conservationists, veterinarians, and activists who stand against extinction and fight to protect these magnificent animals. A story that immerses viewers in the courage, sacrifice, and moral conviction that define humanity when tested by darkness.

My Otter Diary
Aranya Parva Creations / Oxford Scientific Films /All3Media International

Aranya Parva Creations / Oxford Scientific Films / All3Media International (India / UK), My Otter Diary – A breathtaking and deeply immersive documentary experience, this film combines extraordinary wildlife storytelling, masterful cinematography, and a powerful conservation message to reveal the delicate connection between nature and humanity. Wildlife filmmaker Sugandhi Gadadhar’s impactful direction and reflections, alongside Emmy-winning and BAFTA-nominated EP Caroline Hawkins and Emmy and BAFTA-winning Oxford Scientific Films, crafts an intimate portrait of life along India’s rapidly transforming waterways, capturing the beauty, intelligence, and resilience of the smooth-coated otter in a world under increasing threat. Through stunning visuals, a richly evocative score by Emmy-winner Brollyman, and remarkable access developed over three years, the film transcends traditional wildlife filmmaking to become a moving exploration of survival, coexistence, and the fragile ecosystems we share. A visually stunning and emotionally resonant journey, it celebrates the wonder of the natural world while illuminating the urgent need to protect it.

Over My Dead Body – Meital Cohen Navarro

Meital Cohen Navarro (USA), Over My Dead Body – A powerful and emotionally resonant exploration of love, identity, and cultural heritage, this thought-provoking film showcases exceptional direction by Navarro and outstanding performances that bring depth, authenticity, and emotional complexity to every character. Skillfully navigating the tensions between personal freedom, family devotion, faith, and generational expectations, the film creates a richly layered portrait of love tested by tradition and change. With its universal themes and compelling storytelling, it delivers a poignant reflection on the difficult choices that arise when deeply held values collide with the desire to live an authentic life.

The Language of Light: Ashley Gilbertson – Fiona Cochrane

Fiona Cochrane (Australia), The Language of Light: Ashley Gilbertson – Expertly directed by acclaimed filmmaker Cochrane, this powerful documentary delivers an intimate and unflinching portrait of award-winning photographer Gilbertson and the emotional weight behind his extraordinary work. Through deeply affecting interviews and authentic cinematography by Emmy-Nominee Mark Street, the film reveals the compassion, trauma, and resilience behind a career spent documenting humanity’s darkest moments. With exceptional storytelling and profound emotional depth, it offers a rare glimpse into the heart of a photographer who has witnessed the unimaginable and captured humanity in its rawest form. Airs SBS TV and Apple TV – from f-reel Film and Television.

Only Russia Beyond – Artur Molęda

Best Shorts Competition Humanitarian Awards 2025

Artur Molęda (Poland), Only Russia Beyond – A masterfully crafted investigative documentary, this film showcases the exceptional reporting of renowned journalist Molęda and striking cinematography that transforms a complex world of intelligence, technology, and geopolitics into a compelling cinematic experience. Through rare access to a Polish Navy intelligence vessel monitoring the Russian fleet near its waters, the film captures the tension and precision of modern information warfare while revealing the unseen battles shaping global security. With powerful storytelling, immersive visuals, and a refined journalistic approach, it delivers a timely and thought-provoking examination of vigilance, strategy, and the forces defining today’s world.

What Could Have Been – Amanda Barakat & Sam Chou

Amanda Barakat and Sam Chou (Canada), What Could Have Been– A hauntingly beautiful and emotionally resonant animated film, this work powerfully reflects on the futures of children stolen by war, transforming a story of loss into a profound meditation on hope, love, and human connection. Through nuanced direction by Barakat and Chou, evocative animation, and deeply thoughtful visual storytelling, the film explores how conflict shapes identity, family, and the lives left behind. Balancing heartbreak with tenderness and imagination, this beautifully crafted work captures the universal longing for possibility, dignity, and a future shaped by love, learning, and joy.

Robbed of Childhood – Marcin Zaborski

Best Shorts Competition Humanitarian Awards 2025
Marcin Zaborski (Poland), Robbed of Childhood – A powerful and unflinching documentary, this film exposes the devastating realities faced by the youngest victims of Russia’s war in Ukraine through deeply personal testimonies and extraordinary human stories. With compelling direction by Marcin Zaborski, it transforms the staggering realities of abductions, bombings, trauma, and loss into a deeply moving examination of children robbed of their safety, innocence, and futures. Through sensitive storytelling and a profound commitment to truth, the film goes beyond statistics to reveal the human cost of war and delivers an urgent call for justice, accountability, and protection of the most vulnerable. Award of Distinction