‘Terrific, smart and engaging’
Northern Child for Channel 4
“Any documentary that changes the law on this budget deserves an award.”
Succinctly put by one of this year’s judges, this extraordinary piece of investigative journalism exposed the rapidly growing and highly dangerous issue of the ease at which blueprints for firearms can be accessed online. Not only did it highlight the issue, but also drove real-world legislative change, with Birmingham MP Kaur Gill taking the bill to parliament after reviewing the documentary’s research.
The judges also praised presenter Snake Denton for being “terrific, smart and engaging”, able to make a complex story “more of an interesting and appealing watch” where the viewer didn’t feel “like they’re being dictated to on a serious topic”. This was combined with a filmmaking approach that one judge said felt as though “Snake was vlogging, making you feel like you’re part of the journey”.
Since the show transmitted, the Private Member’s Bill has been incorporated into the wider Border Security, Asylum and Immigration bill, which has passed its second reading in Parliament , bringing the UK closer to closing this loophole and ultimately protecting lives.
SHORTLISTED
Every Woman with Sophie Kasaei
Dare Pictures for MTV Shores YouTube
Featuring Geordie Shore’s Sophie Kasaei, this digital series set out to offer a raw, vulnerable look at fertility. Judges praised Kasaei and the other contributors for their unflinching honesty and the emotional vulnerability at the heart of the show, which became MTV’s most successful digital original to date, accumulating a whopping 28m views, according to Paramount.
Songs From Inside
BBC World Service: 100 Women for BBC
Telling the remarkable true story of three women currently inside a notorious Iranian prison for taking part in protests against the hijab, this short documentary was praised for its combination of investigative journalism with innovative and creative storytelling. The film has been viewed over 1m times in the UK alone.
Surviving the Holocaust: John Hajdu’s Story
Redbricks Media for BBC Teach Website
Commissioned and debuting on BBC Teach, this short-form documentary is just six minutes in length but packs in enormous originality and technical excellence. Educating and moving, the film guides viewers through the harrowing story of Holocaust survivor John Harding, making history feel immediate and personal for a new generation.
The Dark Side of Modelling: Uncovered – Paid to Party
Flying Shoe Films & Meldrum Dent for Channel 4 Documentaries YouTube
Delving into the dark side of modelling, model and journalist Sydney Lima goes on a mission to investigate what’s behind suspicious-looking model adverts, resulting in the frightening revelation that one of the most prominent image modelling agencies on social media is coercing women into sex work. Since the film’s release, the UK government has reached out to Channel 4 to explore potential legislative solutions.
Who is Flooding West Africa with Opioids?
BBC for BBC News YouTube
In just 15 minutes, this film distils a two-year BBC Eye investigation into the trafficking of opioids into West Africa, a region which has been gripped by an escalating crisis for years. The film was a truly global collaboration - led by a diverse team based across India, Ghana, Nigeria and the UK - with real world impact.
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