‘Superb. Great access, revelatory, thought-provoking, excellent talent’
Bushido Films for Channel 4 Documentaries YouTube
The talent, the access, the reach and the innovation were all provided as the reasons that this documentary rose above its competitors.
In tackling what the judges noted is a well-known issue, host David Navarro was able to offer an “engaging” journey through the topic in a way that was “eye-opening and felt current”.
With up to £50m-worth of phones stolen annually and as many as 200 snatches happening every day across the UK, phone theft is a prevalent crime affecting Brits daily. At its core, Phone Snatching Exposed is a bold experiment: not just documenting phone theft, but actively stepping into it.
All judges praised the “brilliant choice of host” and understood that the doc was not simply an “exposé on phones” but also covered e-bikes and urban culture as well showcasing and properly unpacking a “really major issue in cities”.
“Superb. Great access, revelatory, thought-provoking, excellent talent,” one said. “Despite being challenged by inability to follow phones, the writing pulled off a satisfying narrative and delivered an informative and entertaining doc that reveals hidden worlds. Huge views and engagement demonstrate that it struck a chord and sparked debate.”
Shortlisted
Battle for Bangladesh
BBC Eye Investigations for BBC
In this investigation BBC Eye exposed the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leading role in the deadly crackdown against protesters in the July uprising in 2024 that led to 1,400 deaths. The team spent close to a year gathering and analysing evidence and testimony to establish what happened and who was to blame for the country’s worst violence since independence.
Big Cats Unleashed
BBC Studios Natural History Unit for PBS Nature
This doc aimed to prove how digital-first content can transform a landmark natural history series into an immersive, multi-platform educational event. Going beyond the “how-to” of filmmaking to explore the “why” of animal behaviour it provides a deep dive into the science and evolution of Botswana’s apex predators.
Gurning To Win
Peninsula Films for GetPulped YouTube & Pulped.com
Written by and featuring emerging comedian Tom Little, this is an accessible look at a small town in Cumberland that honours the ancient eccentric tradition of gurning. The film is a paean to real people in real life scenarios enjoying themselves, getting on with their neighbours, keeping up traditions, and acknowledges the past. It’s the portrait of a community.
I Exposed the UK’s Rental Scam Industry
Postcard Productions for Channel 4 Documentaries YouTube
This title sets out to reimagine what a public service documentary can look like on YouTube, combining investigative journalism with the scale, pace and ambition of creator-led content to reach a young digital-native audience. The documentary unpacks how rental scammers operate, exposing their tactics and showing audiences how to stay safe, and is designed to resonate directly with younger demographics, which tend to be victims of such underhanded practices.
Unmasking China’s Cryptoqueen
BBC for BBC
The documentary told the story behind the largest ever cryptocurrency seizure in the UK. The BBC’s reporting revealed exclusive information about Qian Zhimin, the mastermind behind the scam, which affected a staggering 120,000 people. Featuring rare access to Chinese victims this investigation illustrates the far‑reaching social, economic, and legal consequences of this cross-border fraud and money laundering case.
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