La Jolla, CA, February 2023 - 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 ~~
Chris Burke – No Ordinary Campaign
Chris Burke (USA), No Ordinary Campaign, Doc Feature – At 37, Brian Wallach was diagnosed with ALS—on the same day he and his wife Sandra brought their daughter home from the hospital. In an instant, everything changed. They went from being a couple only a few years removed from both working at the White House to not knowing if Brian would live to see his 40th birthday. A broken system offered no hope for a cure. This is the story about what happened next. Brian and Sandra moved with astonishing speed to build a patient-led revolution reminiscent of the HIV fight. A doc unfolding in realtime as one couple fights for their own future while seeking to build a brighter one for thousands of others. Emmy-winner Burke’s deft direction shapes a powerful doc that skillfully blends impeccable technical craft with heart moving behind-the-scenes segments, touching interviews, a palpable sense of urgency and a feeling of cautious triumph. A potent and inspirational triumph. A Chan Zukerberg Initiative project, produced by Tim Rummel, Executive Producers Emmy / Peabody winner Katie Couric, Jeff MacGregor and featuring interviews with President Barack Obama.
~~ Outstanding Achivement ~~
Camille Hardman and Gary Lane (USA), Still Working 9 to 5, Doc Feature – With the highest grossing comedy of 1980, 9 to 5, the laughs hid a serious message about women in the office. Still Working 9 to 5 explores why workplace inequality 40 years later is no longer a laughing matter. Directors Hardman and Lane masterfully create a potent impact by blending a “making of” doc with a cautionary tale of issues still very topical and important today. Sexual harassment, equal pay, maternity leave and promotions are still pervasive issues in the modern workplace today and reflective of broader issues of inequality. This exceptional doc walks a perfect tight rope between conveying information, a call to action, inspiration, and entertainment. It features outstanding scripting, tight editing and a thoroughly captivating narrative. Features compelling interviews with Oscar winner Jane Fonda, Oscar winner Dolly Parton, Oscar-nominee Lily Tomlin, Oscar winner Rita Moreno, Oscar winner Allison Janney and Emmy-winner Dabney Coleman. Executive producers Oscar-winner Geralyn Dreyfous, Regina K. Scully and EP and songwriter Grammy-winner Shane McAnally.
Oliver Goetzl (Germany), JUNGLE BOOK BEAR, Doc Feature – Narrated by Emmy, BAFTA and Peabody winner Sir David Attenborough this doc is an intimate portrait of Sloth Bears never before filmed. Wildlife filmmaking is a special breed of documentary requiring creative solutions, innovative concepts, enormous amounts of time and (often!) personal danger and bravery. Gold standard wildlife filmmakers Goetzl and Ivo Nörenberg spent 200 days filming in the field in remote India to capture behavior that had been previously unknown to science! Goetzl’s entertaining scripting provides a heart-warming personal portrayal of the bears, with pitch-perfect editing and sound design accompanied by a enlivening score. A superbly crafted and entertaining doc showcasing the best of the wildlife filmmaking form.
~~ Award of Excellence Special Mention ~~
Dawn Gifford Engle (USA), Shirin Ebadi: Until We Are Free, Doc Feature – Ebadi was the first Muslim woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. A heroic human rights lawyer she bravely continues defending women and children against the brutalities of the Iranian regime who imprisoned her and her family, broke her marriage and seized her home. Tight, compelling, impactful.
Roberto Burchielli (Italy), The lost beauty, Syria, Doc Feature – Golden Globe Italy winner Raoul Bova, goes to Syria to recount the work of the Italian red Cross and Syrian Arab Red Crescent. It’s the story of Syrian communities and their cultural heritage affected by the wars and showcases the critical work done by these groups. Raw, real and heartwarming.
Peter Schnall (USA), Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes, Doc Feature- Seven-time Emmy winner Schnall’s, captivating portrait of the complex, compassionate Ron Carter – iconic and legendary bass player, who overcame racial discrimination in pursuit of perfecting his craft. Hosted by Oscar winner Jon Batiste with absorbing interviews with family and colleagues.
Zeberiah Newman (USA), Right to Try, Doc Short – A raw and unflinching look at Jeffrey Drew as he puts his life on the line for an experimental treatment to cure HIV and uncovers the big business of pharma. Achingly authentic portrayal from Newman (producer Late Late Show with James Corden). Producers Brian Clisham, Oscar-winners Octavia Spencer and Andrew Carlberg.
Kate Cohen and A.D. Freese (USA), Amara and Ry’Shauna, Doc Short – follows 12 year-old Amara and 19 year-old Ry’shauna examining their experiences in the foster care system. It exposes the distress of children trapped within this complex and chaotic bureaucracy with compelling interviews illustrating both the devastating effects and their incredible resilience.
Maggie Jones and Brad Jones (USA), CANCER/EVOLUTION: The Dustbin of History, Doc Feature – Episode 1 of a docuseries on the metabolic theory of cancer. From Nobel laureate Otto Warburg, a gay, Jewish scientist under aegis of the Nazis – it shows how his theories informed discoveries, biases and politics of future research. Interesting interviews and exceptional graphics.
Pavel Cherepin (Ukraine), Cyberwar 2022, Doc Feature – The testimony of cyber activists, security officers and professional hackers tells the story of the cyber war of Russia against Ukarine and beyond. Beautiful craft, a heart pounding soundtrack and exceptional editing. Shocking data of the global prevalence of cyber-attacks and a chilling conclusion cyber wars have no ending.
Matt Cohn and Joey Rossetti (USA), Freedom Reigns, Doc Feature – Part boy-horse-whisperer tale, part Autism Spectrum Disorder study, and part solution for America’s dismal wild mustang program. Informative, inspiring, heart wrenching and heartwarming – a testament to the dedication of founder Alicia Goetz. With Temple Grandin. Producer Jesse Raiford (Hitfire Media).
Levi C. Maaia (USA), Pathways to Invention, Doc Feature – Innovators, inventors and entrepreneurship come together in this informative and entertaining doc. Pathways explores the worlds of accomplished inventors in materials, software, hardware, biotech and agriculture. An excellent synergy of technical production and storytelling. Tight editing and upbeat soundtrack. Lemelson-Mit.
Matt Elliott (United Kingdom), A Royal Marines Disposition, Doc Short – A strong performance by Tip Cullen brings to life this narrated docudrama about a soldier’s experience during the Falklands war. Harrowing stories come alive through the exceptional script of John Alden chronicling the journey from near death to victory. Orange Sky Productions
~~ Award of Excellence ~
A’magine (USA), At Your Cervix, Documentary Feature
Andrew Paterson (Singapore), China and the New Pacific, Documentary Feature
Anne Tsoulis (Australia), The Silent World of Barry Priori: Signing not Waving, Documentary Short
Anthony Sarracco (Canada), PADRE PIO, Documentary Feature
Bill Wisneski (USA), Almost Home: Life After Incarceration, Documentary Feature
Daniel Grace and Aaron Carnahan (USA), Doctor/Patient, Documentary Feature
Glen Paul Stasiuk (Australia), Survivors of Wadjemup, Documentary Short
Jeff Bird (Australia), Kombi Man, Documentary Feature
Jerry McNutt (USA), Somehow Hopeful: The Story of a Woodsman, Documentary Feature
Joanne l Williams (USA), The Exchange. In White America. Kaukauna & King 50 Years Later, Documentary Feature
Karen Kramer (USA), The Renegade Legacy of Bleecker and MacDougal, Documentary Feature
Kyle Saylors (USA), A Perfect Love, Documentary Short
Maartje Nevejan (Netherlands), Descending The Mountain. a Story about Mushrooms and Meditation., Documentary Feature
Matt Elliott (United Kingdom), A Royal Marines Disposition, Script / Writer (Mark John Alden)
Michael Maloy (USA), Finding Enid With Love, Documentary Feature, History / Biographical
Monique N. Matthews (USA), Birthing Justice, Documentary Feature
Nick Bolton and Jess Milne (Australia), I am Living, Documentary Short
Quincy Davis (USA), Voices of the Wisdom Keepers, Documentary Feature, Native Peoples
Ryan Dickie, Miranda MacDougall, Callum Gunn and Harry Hill (Canada), In the Land of Dreamers, Documentary Feature, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Sean O’Connor (USA), KUMARI: A Father’s Dream, Documentary Short
Simone Vrech (Italy), The Longobard Warrior, Documentary Short, History / Biographical
Sorin Pavelesco (Canada), Farming Without Harming (The Power of Regenerative Agriculture), Documentary Feature
Stewart M. Schulman (USA), Left Alone Rhapsody – The Musical Memoir of Pianist John Bayless, Documentary Feature
Wayne Camilleri and Stephan Wellink (Australia), The Sculpture, Documentary Feature, Editing
World Surf League (USA), We Are One Ocean 2022 Impact Summary, Documentary Short
Zeberiah Newman (USA), Unexpected, Documentary Short
Zeberiah Newman (USA), Right To Try, LGBTQ+
Zoya Lynch (Canada), Beyond Begbie, Documentary Short
~~ Award of Merit Special Mention ~~
Alberto Nacci (Italy), ARTIST’S VOICES, Cinematography
Ariel Levy (USA), The Brookwood Film, Documentary Feature
Ashley Zahorian (USA), The Preacher to the Popes: Raniero Cantalamessa, Documentary Feature, Original Score (Composed by James B. Gardner)
Brian Seifferlein and David Koehn (USA), We Will Not Be Silent, Documentary Feature
Chris Mugford (United Kingdom), Silencing History, Documentary Short, Religion / Ethics
Craig Norley (United Kingdom), Yr Wyddfa | Snowdon 24, Documentary Feature
Esther Takac (Australia), THE NARROW BRIDGE, Documentary Feature, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Frankie Kraft (USA), Help Her Live, Documentary Short
Jane Hammond (Australia), Black Cockatoo Crisis, Documentary Feature
Jonathan Knight (USA), Invented Before You Were Born, Documentary Feature
Patrick Guthrie (USA), RugbyTown, Documentary Short
Richard Yelland (USA), UNDIVIDED: Pandemic with A Purpose, Documentary Short
Rory Herbert, Red Cedar Films (United Kingdom), EVA, Documentary Feature
Ryan Marley (Canada), Candidato 34, Documentary Short
Tiziana Caminada (Switzerland), Hell in Paradise, Documentary Feature
~~ Award of Merit ~~
Aaron Hosé (USA), One Pint at a Time, Documentary Feature, Editing
Abby Marshall (Australia), Injustice, Documentary Short (Student)
Alberto Nacci (Italy), ARTIST’S VOICES, Documentary Feature
Andrea Sambuccetti (USA), The Water Wall, Documentary Short, Women Filmmakers
Angelo Loy and Martino Mazzonis (Italy), LOOSING GROUND, Documentary Feature
Bertuzzi Elena and Chatrefou Laure (France), A Debaa for the 14th of July, Documentary Feature, Creativity / Originality
Bo Zhang and Guopeng Zhai (China), HEAVY RAIN IN 96 SCENES, Documentary Short
Bruce Spiegel (USA), City of Steel, Documentary Feature
Chaoqi Zhang (China), Flying On Land, Documentary Short
Clenét Verdi-Rose and Champagne Verdi-Rose (USA), Radici, Documentary Feature
Core van der Hoeven (Netherlands), Blades, Documentary Short
David Tice (USA), Grid Down, Power Up, Documentary Feature
Derek Roberts (United Kingdom), I’m Jit and I’m an Alcohlic, Documentary Feature
Eme (Melissa) Eidson (USA), Slow Fashion, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Fred Grace (Nepal), The World Cup Whistleblower, Documentary Short
Gary Null, Ph.D. (USA), Science for Hire, Documentary Feature
George Gittoes (Australia), No Bad Guys, Documentary Feature
German E. Velasco (USA), Tracking Ceci, Documentary Feature, Use of Film / Video for Social Change
Gregorio Davila (USA), L.A. A Queer History, Documentary Feature
Ingrid Kamerling (Netherlands), Blue Monday, Documentary Feature
Isabel Rivero-Vilá (USA), AFRYKAS and the Magic Box, Documentary Feature
Ivan Rodin (Russia), Happy, Documentary Short (Student), History / Biographical (Student)
Julia Blagny (Bolivia), Be Water – Andes to Amazonia, Documentary Feature
Justin MacGregor, Jamie Lane, Émilie Dumesny, Hugh Whelan, Ricardo Agostini, Emma Nickle, Barry Murphy, J. McBain, V. Keane, R. McKeon, M. Rios Sanchez, L. Vallely, J. Sang, K. Lin, B. Dederichs , F. Ramírez-Burgos, A. Boner-Scally and 44 more students at Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) , Is There Anybody Out There? Young Voices From Inside a Pandemic, Documentary Feature
Karin Schill (Sweden), Leprosy – A Forgotten Disease, Documentary Short
Kimberly Smith (Canada), Severe Brain Injury Recovery; Shooting For The Stars, Documentary Short, Disability Issues
Kostoula Tomadaki (Greece), Mother of the Station, Documentary Feature
Lance Hoovestal, Ph.D., Casey G. Williams and Ian S. Williams (USA), America Boxed In, Documentary Feature
Mark Thompson, K Thompson (USA), Memphis Proud: Voices of a Southern LGBTQ+ Community, Documentary Feature, LGBTQ+
Michael David Squier (USA), The Baja Bug Movie, Documentary Feature
Nomi Sofer (USA), Voices of Reentry, Documentary Feature, Use of Film / Video for Social Change
Peter Shatalow (Canada), Bill Lishman – The Man Who Flew With The Birds, Documentary Feature
Quinn Early (USA), INTO THE LIONS DEN, Documentary Short
Raquel Gómez-Rosado (Spain), Exploiting Eden, Île-à-Vache, Documentary Feature, Women Filmmakers
Richard Allen (USA), St.Marks Place, Documentary Short
Robin Shepherd and Mattie Scariot (USA), Sue’s Story, Documentary Short
Roel Swierenga (Netherlands), 48.000 Names, Documentary Short
Sarah Myland (United Kingdom), Private View, Documentary Short
Sean Dobra (Australia), These Two Hands – The Story of Bowen therapy, Documentary Feature
Sharon Kelly Baker and Pascal Dieckmann (USA), UNITED WE ARE DREAMING, Documentary Feature
Shawn Malangyaon (USA), Tri-Hard: A Documentary Short Film, Documentary Short (Student)
Tom Dwyer and Lisa Palattella (USA), Frank Bey: All My Dues Are Paid, Documentary Feature
Zoe Coldham (United Kingdom), Journey to the West, Documentary Feature
~~ Award of Recognition ~~
Abie Ekenezar, A’Noelle Jackson, Mona Das and Preston Standiferd (USA), Bad Ass Women Doing Kick Ass Shit, Documentary Feature
Angelo Musco (USA), THE LAND OF SCARS, Documentary Feature
Anne Lewis and Laura Varela (USA), raúlrsalinas and the poetry of liberation: un trip, Documentary Short
Armin Nasseri (USA), George Hobbs: Stick Figure Wisdom, Documentary Feature
Becca Foxx (USA), Portrait of Etika, Documentary Short
Catarina Neves (Portugal), Not Done Yet, Documentary Feature
David Chihhorng Lee (USA), 8th Place Trophies, Documentary Short
Eme (Melissa) Eidson (USA), Slow Fashion, Documentary Short
Emiko Carlin and Nathan Crumrine (USA), T.H.E. Human Side (a short documentary), Documentary Short
Eugénie Bouquet (Switzerland), Not in Love, Documentary Short (Student)
Gloria Z. Greenfield (USA), Civilization in the Danger Zone, Documentary Feature
Gregorio Davila (USA), UNIDAD: Gay & Lesbian Latinos Unidos, Documentary Short
Guy Letourneau, Fallen By Choice Productions Inc. (Canada), Boom, There Goes The Neighbourhood, Documentary Short
J Z Murdock (USA), Pvt. Ravel’s Bolero, Documentary Short
Jason Harney (USA), Wrist Lock: The Martial Arts’ Influence on Police Use of Force, Documentary Feature
Jillian Li (USA), Finding Palemahan, Documentary Short (Student)
John R. Bowey (USA), My Otherland: Linden Jordan, Documentary Short
Joy Wu (USA), Mah Jongg Queen, Documentary Short (Student)
Justin MacGregor, Jamie Lane, Émilie Dumesny, Hugh Whelan, Ricardo Agostini, Emma Nickle, Barry Murphy, J. McBain, V. Keane, R. McKeon, M. Rios Sanchez, L. Vallely, J. Sang, K. Lin, B. Dederichs , F. Ramírez-Burgos, A. Boner-Scally and 44 more students at, Is There Anybody Out There? Young Voices From Inside a Pandemic, Direction
Ken Allen (Australia), Miyawaki Man, Documentary Short
Kimberly Toms, Roulez Media (USA), Escaping Fed, Documentary Feature
Lee Jessamine (Australia), Saving Wedge, Documentary Short (Student)
Loki Mulholland (USA), 544: A Civil Rights Story, Documentary Short
Marci Lynne Krown (USA), Making A Difference in Their Community; Dave’s Rock Garden, Documentary Short
Mary Hanlon (USA), The Mirrored Road, Documentary Feature
Matthew R Howe (USA), Lone Star Surf, Documentary Short (Student)
Matthew Solomon (USA), What If We Abolished the Police?, Documentary Feature, Use of Film / Video for Social Change
Michael D. McNeely (Canada), Advocacy Club, Documentary Feature
Michael Tiranoff (USA), Portrait of a Weaver, Documentary Feature, Editing
Nancy Paradis (USA), Back to the Heart, Documentary Feature, Viewer Impact: Motivational / Inspirational
Pamela Hoge and Christine Anderson (USA), Mighty Oak, Documentary Feature
Pankaja Brooke (United Kingdom), Escape Artist, Documentary Short
Paul Aidan Cooke (United Kingdom), Roebourne, Documentary Short
Paul Cooke (United Kingdom), We’re not making Gone with the Wind, Documentary Short
Ramon Castillanes Tenoso and Peter D Deocos (United Kingdom), KATAGMAN, Documentary Short
Richard Jordan (USA), The Pandemic, The Panther & The People, Documentary Feature
Robert Cameron (United Kingdom), Molecular Chirality: A Scientific Documentary, Documentary Short
Ron Elliott (Australia), Earthship Freo, Documentary Feature
Sarah Harvey (Canada), CHOMP, Documentary Short
Sasivimon Youkongkaew (Thailand), Tham Luang Rescue : Power of Unity, Documentary Feature
Searaya Alina Sinnette (USA), THE SEED, Documentary Short
Shihyun Wang (USA), No money, no credit, no problem, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Steven F. Dansky (USA), Attend Me: Dispatches from the Pandemic, Documentary Feature
Tamecca Rogers (USA), CROWN, Documentary Feature
Toneal M Jackson (USA), The Four I’s of the Black Man, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Yvonne Bauer (United Kingdom), Killed in Qatar, Documentary Feature
06.02.2023 | Impact DOCS Awards's blog
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