Impact DOCS Awards

The Impact DOCS Awards Announces Latest Winners!

La Jolla, CA, January 2022 - The Impact DOCS Awards goal is to discover and honor the achievements of filmmakers who produce high quality documentaries. Impact DOCS puts filmmakers first and provides a direct opportunity for recognition and publicity for high quality productions. It is international in scope and has granted awards to producers in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Palestine, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, and the United States.

~ Best of Show ~ 

Earth Emergency – Susan Gray

Susan Gray (USA), Earth Emergency – Doc Feature – Narrated by Golden Globe winner Richard Gere this potent documentary illustrates the little known concept of “Climate Feedback Loops”.  Emmy-nominee Gray brings her formidable directing talents to this piece turning unfamiliar and difficult concepts into understandable models. Driven by straight spoken narratives from experts and scientists – she includes clear and creative graphics that illustrate these ideas. Made all the more impactful by commentary from His Holiness, the Dalai Lama and climate activist Greta Thunberg. The result is a tight, impactful, moving doc – inspiring the viewer to action. Outstanding cast and crew – potently written by Bonnie Waltch (Nova / Discovery Channel / PBS) with eye-catching graphics, outstanding sound design and moving soundtrack. A must-see with the power to IMPACT the world on a wide scale. Aired PBS. Presented to the Members of the House of Parliament and by HRH Prince Charles as part of his COP26 Glasgow presence at the Terra Carta Action Forum.

~ Best of Show ~ 

MILKED – Amy Taylor

Amy Taylor (New Zealand), MILKED, Nature / Environment / Wildlife – “MILKED” exposes the whitewash of New Zealand’s multi-billion-dollar dairy industry and the horrific animal abuse, human health issues and environmental devastation all dairy “farming” perpetrates. Wrapped in an engaging story following charismatic host and Māori activist Chris Huriwai – it also features interviews with high-profile experts Dr. Jane Goodall, environmentalist and former actress Suzy Amis Cameron and Cowspiracy co-director Keegan Kuhn, as well as experts from the fields of ecology, economy, politics, medicine and more. Well balanced and based on solid science, it exposes the brutal animal cruelty, the sustainability crisis as well as the dangerous denial of impending agricultural disruption, but it also offers innovative solutions for countries around the globe to change their fate. Exceptional research, insightful scripting and tight editing.  This doc in wide circulation has the potential to create a huge IMPACT.

 ~ Outstanding Achievement -

Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight – Benjamin Uttley

Benjamin Uttley (United Kingdom), Silver Spitfire – The Longest Flight, Doc Feature – Pilot Matt Jones embarks on a daring expedition with a small team to do something no one has ever done before flying a 1940’s Silver Spitfire around the world in only four months. With an engaging crew this documentary follows their voyage – with stunning cinematography providing breathtaking images from Europe to North America, Russia, Asia, Arabia and back again. An endearing cast of characters creates an immersive portrait, brimming with danger, drama and emotion. Exceptional craft in every way, tight editing and beautiful sound design.

 ~ Outstanding Achievement -

The Hunger – Ruan Magan

Ruan Magan (Ireland), The Hunger, Doc Feature – Narrated by Oscar-nominee Liam Neeson – this is a meticulously in-depth story of the great Irish famine of the 1840’s and the extraordinary circumstances, policies and belief systems that shaped it. Deftly directed with eye-opening new research, it reveals how the crisis was a manifestation of class struggle and how British authorities, the landed gentry and the Irish Catholic middle classes each contributed to the tragic fate of the millions who suffered and died. With a gorgeous score by Natasa Paulberg and creative editing by Keith Walsh. Aired RTÉ as a two part series.

 ~ Outstanding Achievement -

Oliver Goetzl – Baboons – A Really Wild Family

Oliver Goetzl (Germany), Baboons – A Really Wild Family, Doc Feature – Wildlife filmmaking is in a league of its own – and Goetzl’s doc is a masterclass in the form. The African Rift Valley and an enormous cave offer a magnificent backdrop for a very special band of olive baboons. Goetzl and his team follow a young monkey as he grows up and captures the dynamics of the family with exceptional craft and a witty and thoroughly entertaining script – making this family of baboons relatable to the audience (while never anthropomorphizing the troop). Every piece of this doc is professionally exceptional – creative filming, scripting, sound design and soundtrack.

 ~ Award of Excellence Special Mention ~

Mark Ruberg (USA), Oyáte un Itówapi – Pictures of My People – MLK Day Feature, Native Peoples – Four-time Emmy winner Ruberg’s powerful film follows retried Pro Athlete, Oglala Lokota Jim Warne as he movingly addresses the challenges and systemic racial injustice Native Cultures face in America. Sharply written, lush cinematography, impactful sound design garnered three Emmy nominations.
 

Luc Marescot (France), Green Forests and Red Carpet, Doc Feature – Emmy-nominated Marescot, a veteran director of documentaries forays into the feature film world to reach a larger audience with his messages of environmental destruction. This well crafted and entertaining doc chronicles his quest from France to Hollywood and finally a meeting with Academy Award winner Juliette Binoche.

Frances Causey (USA), The Long Shadow, Doc Feature – Emmy Award-winning former CNN Senior Producer Causey, and producer Sally Holst deliver a potent, informative and excruciatingly honest portrait of systematic racism in the USA as she traces her family’s legacy of white privilege, from slavery to modern day. Outstandingly researched, superbly scripted, impactful and beautifully crafted. Aired PBS.

Andrew Paterson and Shahul Hameed (Singapore), Climate for Change: Closing the Loop, Doc Feature – Brilliantly examines the concept of the circular economy and its potential benefits for the world’s environment. Provocative information, exceptional research, tight editing, impactful interviews, beautiful cinematography and stunning graphics. Documentary Unit of Channel NewsAsia at Mediacorp in Singapore.
 

Ramesh Sharma (South Africa / India ), Ahimsa Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless, Doc Feature – A compelling, well-researched doc explores Gandhi’s Non-Violence; inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, Poland’s Solidarity Movement, The Velvet Revolution and Nelson Mandela’s Apartheid fight. Touching interviews with HH Dalai Lama, President Lech Walesa and Ghandi’s family.

Gary “Litefoot” Davis (USA), Strong Hearts: An Indigenous Love Letter to My Sons, Doc Short – A lush, powerful and poetic doc – creatively taking the form of a letter imparting a father’s wisdom to his sons from an indigenous world view. A raw and vulnerable account of history and lessons to live a life of dignity, purpose and reclaim their Native roots. Set against sweeping backdrops with evocative music.

Luis Robledo and Vanni Mangoni (USA), The Song That Calls You Home, Doc Feature –provocative and mind-opening – a personal, scientific and mystical exploration of Amazonian curanderismo (healing) – with focus on Ayahuasca and Master Plant teachers used for millennia by the Shipibo people. Following the journey of the filmmakers themselves. Pretty cinematography, gorgeous graphics, moving soundtrack.

Klaus Scherer (Germany), Online Hate Speech: Underway with Criminal Prosecutors, Doc Feature – Veteran journalist Scherer’s expose about online hate speech and the measures that are taken to prosecute the perpetrators. Follows the police raids with potent and measured interviews with the prosecutors, perpetrators and antagonists. A harrowing picture of a pervasive problem. A masterclass in investigative journalism.

Simone Vrech (Italy), Langobardi – Alboino e Romans, Doc Feature – An historic account of the Alboin, the first Lombard king who arrived in Italy with his population and the founded the village of Romans. Told through interviews with informative scholars it recounts the facts and the realities of daily life – and features gorgeous reenactments with opulent cinematography that delivers emotional influence. Beautiful scenery carries the story and the through line to modern times.
 

 ~ Award of Excellence ~ 

Alena Činčerová (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Canada), IDENTITY ES (Czech and Slovak title), Concealed Identity (English title), Documentary Feature
Amy Taylor (New Zealand), MILKED, Women Filmmakers
Barbara Bentree (USA), ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN, Documentary Feature, Women Filmmakers, Original Score (Composed by John Rangel)
Brent Deal (USA), Doc vs Parkinson’s, Documentary Feature
Cam William MacArthur (Canada), Before They Fall, Documentary Feature
Dan Redfield (USA), Granted: A Wish Story, Documentary Feature
David Casals-Roma (Spain), The Voice of Thaïs, Documentary Feature
Enver Samuel (South Africa), Murder in Paris, Documentary Feature
Frances Causey (USA), Is Your Story Making You Sick?, Documentary Feature
Gary Kent (Australia), The Soldier’s Uniform, Documentary Short
Helen Stehli Pfister (Switzerland), SERGEY TANIN -THE PIANIST WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, Documentary Feature

Hualien Forest District Office, Yen Wen Ru and Change Yuan Yu (Taiwan), Morisaka Memories – The Modern-day Legacy of Hualien’s Lintianshan Forest, Documentary Feature
Hugo Dayan (France), So, still digging?, Research
Igal Bursztyn (Israel), Our Beds are Burning, Documentary Feature
Jeff Reilly (USA), Tipping The Pain Scale, Documentary Feature
Jon Osaki (USA), Not Your Model Minority, Documentary Short
Jordan Orsak (USA), DELIVERING HOPE, Documentary Feature, Viewer Impact: Motivational / Inspirational
Kate Cohen, Straight Up Impact (USA), Luna, Documentary Short
Klaus Scherer (Germany), Online Hate Speech: Underway With Criminal Prosecutors, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Luis Robledo and Vanni Mangoni (USA), The Song That Calls You Home, Original Score (Composed by Luis Robledo)

M. Douglas Silverstein (USA), The Relentless One, Documentary Short, Direction
Mary Darling and Robbie Hart (Canada), In Search of a Better World, Documentary Feature
Mathilde Damoisel and Tomas Van Houtryve (France), Far West, l’Histoire oubliée., Documentary Feature
Niall Doran, Bookend Trust/Bookend Enterprises (Australia), SURVIVORS: Rediscovering the Short-Tailed Rain Crayfish, Documentary Short, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Pejman Alipour (Iran), Where the Winds Die, Documentary Short
Samuel Austin (United Kingdom), Awakening the Soul, Documentary Feature
Simone Vrech and Matteo Grudina (Italy), Langobardi – Alboino e Romans, History / Biographical
Steve Meixell (USA), Unearthing Ogawa, Documentary Feature, Direction
Thomas Harman, Middlesex University (United Kingdom), Riot in the Meadow, Documentary Short (Student), Narration / Voice-Over Talent (Roberta Taylor)
Tim Whalen (USA), The Balance, Documentary Short
Tim Whalen (USA), Bløm // Farm to Fourth Ave., Documentary Short
World Surf League (USA), We Are One Ocean, Documentary Short

 ~ Award of Merit Special Mention ~

Betty Rodgers and Ken Rodgers (USA), I Married the War, Documentary Feature, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Darla Rae (USA), Courageous Warriors; Beauty from the Ashes, Original Score (Composed by Timothy Buckman), Viewer Impact: Motivational / Inspirational
Dr. Sohan Roy (India), Black Sand, Documentary Short
Garrett Clancy (USA), Crazy Cat Lady, Documentary Feature
Hugo Dayan (France), So, still digging?, Documentary Feature
Ian Robert Smith (United Kingdom), UNSEEN, Documentary Short
Koko VanDernoot (USA), Why I Give, Documentary Short (Student)
Ḻäwurrpa Maypilama and Pat Josse (Australia), Djäkamirr:caretaker of pregnancy and birth, Documentary Feature, Native Peoples
Lisa Doolittle (Canada), Becoming Unlimited, Documentary Short
Lyndal Redman (Australia), You Are Not Alone – Web Series, Documentary Short, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Malcolm A. Velazco (Philippines), TCCON Philippines, Documentary Feature, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Mary Elizabeth Gentle, Alia Tarraf and Dr. Staci Emerson (USA), A Hidden Star, Original Song (Sorrow composed by Gareth Dunlop)
Ryan Stock and Betty Chung (USA), One Last Drop, Documentary Feature

 ~ Award of Merit ~

Adriana Davis and Carole Basri (USA), Saving the Iraqi Jewish Archives: A Journey of Identity, Documentary Feature
Andrew Harper (USA), Gut Soup, Documentary Short
Andrew Jowett, More Kids On Sailboats (USA), Win(d) Over Cancer, Documentary Short
Andy Yardy (USA), Kidnapped Redemption, Documentary Feature
Annie Leclair (Canada), Grounded, Documentary Short, Viewer Impact: Motivational / Inspirational, Use of Film / Video for Social Change
Ashraf Mswaki and Eva Lundgren Stenbom (Sweden), Jikubali, Documentary Feature
Brenda Gillis (USA), Living Years, Documentary Short
Brent Deal (USA), Chasing Gold, Documentary Feature
Brett A. Schwartz (USA), Raised Up West Side, Documentary Feature
Jean Grover (USA), Thalidomide in the USA: the Forgotten Survivors, Documentary Short
Celia de Coca (Spain), Let’s talk, sister (Hablemos, hermana), Documentary Short
Chaerin Park (Korea), The Plight of the Child Soldier, Documentary Short (Student)
Cheryl Bookout and Cheri Gaulke (USA), Inside the Beauty Bubble, Documentary Short
Chloe Lipman (USA), Cowruption, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising (Student), Use of Film / Video for Social Change (Student), Nature / Environment / Wildlife (Student), Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery (Student)

Chris Schueler (USA), Vaccination from the Misinformation Virus, Documentary Feature, Viewer Impact: Content / Message Delivery
Christina Georgiou (Cyprus), The Stray Story: A dogumentary, Documentary Feature, Women Filmmakers
Crystal Alcantara Cebedo (USA), Nomad: A Lifer’s Journey Through California Corrections, Documentary Short, Use of Film / Video for Social Change
Dan Rippl (USA), Sun, Soil & Water, Documentary Feature, Viewer Impact: Motivational / Inspirational, Original Score (Composed by Brian Steckler)
Daniel E. Kennedy (USA), Living Through It, Documentary Short
Daphne Matziaraki (Greece), Into the Sea, Documentary Short, Women Filmmakers
Darla Rae (USA), Courageous Warriors; Beauty from the Ashes, Documentary Feature, Original Song (Girls Like Me written by Timothy Buckman and Turi Aleta), Health / Medicine / Science, Viewer Impact: Content / Message Delivery, Women Filmmakers
Dawn Alexander (USA), Chi-Town Guns, Gun Violence & NRA, Documentary Feature, African American, Women Filmmakers
Dritan Arbana (Albania), Australia My Home: An Albanian Migration, Documentary Feature
Edu Marin (Spain), Sea Weavers, Documentary Short, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Emmanuel Bouvet (USA), The Green Wave: French Polynesia, Documentary Feature
Giacomo Arrigoni (Italy), Spicy Calabria, Documentary Feature, Narration / Voice-Over Talent (Esmeralda Spadea)

Incredible Films (USA), Hautism and Wilderwood, Documentary Short
Jake Tupman and Jack Somerville (Latvia), UTA – The Climb for Kosovo, Documentary Short
Jane Swanko (USA), I WILL SOAR, Documentary Feature
Jason Head (USA), Fighting for Daybreak, Documentary Feature
Jessica Sarah Flaum (USA), Abortion: Add To Cart, Documentary Short
John E. Quatroche II (USA), Deaf Reach: Hope for Pakistan, Documentary Short, Disability Issues
Karla B. Duarte (USA), On The Beat: Feeling Body, Documentary Short, Women Filmmakers
Kate Twa (Canada), Smashed: Breaking the Cycle of Alcohol Use Disorder, Documentary Short, Viewer Impact: Motivational / Inspirational
Kiki Sage Prager (USA), AD[HD], Documentary Short (Student)
Krista Rowe (Canada), Promise House: Heather’s Story, Documentary Feature
Laura Hand (USA), The Tent Mender, Documentary Feature
Linda D. Taylor (USA), Champions Together, Documentary Feature
Linda Lee (Canada), A Coral Call from the Maldives, Documentary Short
Lisa Janae (USA), Common Characters, Documentary Short, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Mariam Avetisyan (Armenia), The Desire To Live, Documentary Feature, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising

Mary Elizabeth Gentle, Alia Tarraf and Dr. Staci Emerson (USA), A Hidden Star, Documentary Feature
Mehmet Akif Güler (Turkey), The Last Photo, Documentary Short
Michael Shaw (Australia), Living in the Time of Dying, Documentary Feature, Native Peoples, Nature / Environment / Wildlife, Viewer Impact: Content / Message Delivery
Niva Kay, Emily McDowell, Nia Phipps and Phil Stebbing (New Zealand), High Tide Don’t Hide, Documentary Feature
Niya Aleksandrova and Ayelet Heller (Bulgaria), Next Generation, Documentary Feature
Olga Lucía Jaramillo S. (USA), Of Dreams, Documentary Short, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Olga Lucía Jaramillo S. (USA), The United States was my Mom, Documentary Short, Dramatic Impact
Richard Newman (USA), Addicted to Joy, Documentary Feature
Rodney Roldan (USA), Country and Courage, Documentary Feature
Ross Kauffman (USA), Waterproof, Documentary Short
Stephen Kolb (USA), Who Cares About DC?, Documentary Feature
Taimoor Sobhan (Myanmar), Exodus, Documentary Short, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Tiago Bortolini and Ariel Kuaray Ortega (Brazil), Xadalu and Jaguaretê, Documentary Feature, Native Peoples
Vanessa Prigollini (Mexico), CONTRASTS, Documentary Short
Walter Schlomann (USA), Ezra: May His Memory Be For A Blessing, Documentary Feature
William McKeever and Paul Rachman (USA), Emperors of the Deep, Documentary Short

~ Award of Recognition ~

Alan J. Chriest (USA), Overweight, Documentary Short
Amanda Christmas (Canada), Lost Lake: Gone but not Forgotten, Documentary Short
Antonio Bellido Marín (Spain), TRIP TO THE TAX PARADISE  – RUMBO AL PARAISO FISCAL, Documentary Feature
Aref Alvandy (USA), Lastovo 46, Documentary Short
Awais Bashir (USA), Dancing On Water, Documentary Short
Brenda Patricia Garza (USA), Political Agenda, Documentary Short (Student)
Chloe Lipman (USA), Cowruption, Documentary Short (Student), Health / Medicine / Science (Student)
Christine Kenton (USA), My name is Nobody, Documentary Short
Damien Donnelly (Ireland), My Life as a Piece of Space Debris, Documentary Short
Deborah Wright (USA), The Great Suppression: How Covid-19 Reignited the Fight for Life & Liberty, Documentary Feature, Editing, Original Score (Composed by James Lindsay), Sound Editing / Sound Mixing
Diana Puzikova (USA), Still Suffering, Documentary Feature
Diane Robinson (USA), THE YOUNG VOTE, Documentary Feature
Diogo Varela Silva (Portugal), Do Bairro (From the Neighborhood), Documentary Feature

Duncan Lauer (USA), Future’s Resistance, Documentary Short (Student), Special Effects: Animation (Student)
Ellis Jennings Jr. (USA), EJs Warriors The Documentary, Documentary Feature
Ethan Ireland (USA), The Signal in the Noise, Documentary Feature
Francis Gumm (USA), GAY MEANS HAPPY, Documentary Short
George Leontakianakos (Greece), Bella Bimba, Documentary Short
Gerard M. Cahill (USA), LIVING WATER, Documentary Short
Guy Letourneau, Fallen By Choice Productions Inc (Canada), She Builds her Home, Documentary Feature, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Hans Peter Glasmann (USA), The Good The Bad and The Slow, Documentary Feature
Harri James, The O’Kelley Lab (USA), O’Kelley Legends: 2e Behind the Scenes, Documentary Feature
Iñès Compan (France), ECCE OJO, Documentary Feature, Viewer Impact: Content / Message Delivery
Jason Greer and Vanessa Cicarelli (USA), SHE, Documentary Feature

Jason Harney (USA), The Making of a Cheer Team, Documentary Feature
Jon Francis (USA), Ben, Documentary Short, Religion / Ethics
Joshua Peterson and Amelia Peterson (USA), Ghostlight, Documentary Feature
Kovid Mittal (India), 6387 meters black peak, Documentary Feature, Viewer Impact: Motivational / Inspirational
Leif Petersen and Yvette Kruger (South Africa), The State of the Nation, Documentary Feature
LJ Frizell (USA), Seven Square Miles, Documentary Feature
M Kaplan (USA), Liar-In-Chief: A Chronicle of the Trump Presidency Through the Eyes of An Outraged Graphic Artist, Documentary Feature, Creativity / Originality
Marie LeBlanc (Canada), Multiple Chemical Sensitivity&Environmental Illness-Awareness & Acknowledgement, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Martha Davis (Canada), PANDALAND:  Making IT Count, Documentary Short, Creativity / Originality
Mitch Waters (USA), Ten Days of Peace, Documentary Short

Mitch Waters, H2Os Video (USA), Financial Literacy, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Monica Levinson and Steven Hentges (USA), The Stories of Us, Documentary Feature
Monique Principi and Stephanie Boyles Griffin (USA), An Overview of Wildlife Fertility Control, Documentary Short
Patricia A. Burke (USA), A Different Kind of Trash Talk, Documentary Short
Raginie Duara (India), A different path to recovery, Documentary Short
Reid Craft and Brandon M. Wattenbarger, Rugged Compass Entertainment (USA), The Edge of Adventure with Adam Asher, Documentary Feature, On-Camera Talent (Adam Asher)
Richard Nelson Anderson (USA), Where Sky Meets Eternity, Documentary Feature
Robyn Roots (Jones), Klosa Productions (USA), 2020 Year of the Nurse, Documentary Feature
Roel Swierenga (Netherlands), PUSHBACK, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Shaun T. Pulsifer (Canada), 36 Days, Documentary Short
Shihyun Wang (USA), Ernest, History / Biographical
Stefanos Tai (USA), WE DON’T DANCE FOR NOTHING – a photo-montage, Documentary Feature, Editing
Stephen Hamm (USA), A River Speaks, Documentary Short
Susan Ruth Downs, MD and Alex Voss (USA), Something Ain’t Right, Documentary Feature
Thomas Paige (USA), The Gathering: Roots & Branches of Los Angeles Jazz, Sound: Overall Impact
Vic Compher (USA), Angels and Saints – Eros and Awe, Documentary Feature, Special Effects: Animation (Amy Patrone), Original Song (Angels and Saints composed by Rodney Whittenberg)
Willem Aerts (Netherlands), Looking for Curtis, Documentary Short
Yannis Vamvakas (Greece), CHASING PLANETS FOR 60 YEARS STAMATIS (TOM) KRIMIGIS, Documentary Feature
Yong Jin Yoon (Korea), A letter from Carl Jung, Documentary Short