‘I found this film immersive and hard hitting with great interviews and strong archive’
Dare Pictures for Channel 4 Documentaries YouTube & Channel 4 Streaming
“A gripping and provocative watch,” says one judge of this no-holds-barred account of the UK prison system.
The doc stood out to judges for its use of raw, unfiltered footage recorded inside British prisons, exposing drug use, violence, sexual misconduct, and corruption among prison staff. Combining investigative reporting and firsthand testimony, the film creates a sense of immediacy and authenticity for viewers.
Presenter David Navarro’s presence was highlighted by one judge as lending the doc “validity”, having spent 10 years in prison himself. His experience of life behind bars proved invaluable in gaining contributors’ trust.
Another judge says: “Some fantastic access and granular detail that really added texture and colour to what’s happening inside UK prisons. David Navarro was an authentic and unshowy hand on the tiller, teasing out natural input from the varied contributors.”
UK Prisons Exposed: Sex, Drugs & Corruption marks director Riva Japaul’s first solo directing credit, having spent two years developing the project with Navarro – and a number of our judges noted that it was an impressive and well-constructed debut.
Another judge sums it up: “I found this film immersive and hard hitting with great interviews and strong archive. It is a shocking look at a key public service that is in decline.”
Shortlisted
Behind Bars: Sex, Bribes & Murder
Forest for BBC
In this compelling exposé of the prison system, journalist Mobeen Azhar investigates a viral prison sex tape, uncovering an illicit prison economy driven by inappropriate relationships, coercion and contraband. Whistleblowers speak candidly about a culture of corruption and abuse inside Britain’s prisons, with each new account driving the story forward in unexpected ways.
Blood Parliament
BBC Africa Eye & BBC World Service for BBC Africa’s YouTube
This film reveals the brutal response from security forces to youthful protesters who breached Kenya’s parliament on 25 June 2024 when lawmakers voted to approve tax hikes. Blood Parliament became the most watched BBC World Service film within 48 hours of broadcast, across all 43 World Service YouTube channels.
Exposed: China’s Spycam Porn
BBC Eye Investigations for BBC World Service
This doc exposes the lucrative underground industry based on secretly filming guests in Chinese hotel rooms. Criminals install hidden cameras and profit from people’s most intimate moments without their knowledge or consent – prompting ordinary people to take extreme precautions, such as buying scanning devices and sleeping inside tents in their hotel room.
Fake Friend: The Ticket Scammer
Spun Gold TV & Method in Motion for BBC iPlayer
A sharp investigation into Miles Hart, a 28-year-old who leveraged his status and connections to persuade friends and acquaintances that he could secure VIP access to sought-after events, and created an alleged Glastonbury ticket scam worth more than £1m. Living a high-flying lifestyle, his customers began to ask questions when festival tickets failed to arrive and refunds never came.
Hunting My Sextortion Scammer - UNTOLD
Full Fat Television for Channel 4 YouTube
Jordan Stephens fronts this investigation into sextortion scams, where criminals pose as attractive young women on social media and encourage young men to send explicit images or videos. The scammers then use the material to blackmail victims, threatening to release it publicly unless money is paid. The film also features the family of teenager Murray Dowey, who took his life after being targeted by such a scam.
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