The Grierson Trust has announced the winners of the 54th Grierson British Documentary Awards in association with Banijay UK. The awards were handed out at a ceremony on Tuesday night.
The BBC picked up four awards, with Netflix winning three awards, and Channel 4 and Sky Documentaries both winning two awards. ITV, National Geographic, Olympics.com and S4C each won in one category.
This year’s award winners span forensic investigations into the Grenfell disaster, the conflict in Gaza, the brutality of the US justice system and the most prolific serial abuser associated with the Church of England. Alongside these are an uplifting tale of the power of sport to unite a community in Afghanistan, a moving examination of climate change through the lens of an unlikely relationship between a man and a stork, and a heartwarming and humorous look at overcoming obstacles to intimacy. Other winning films examine the huge emotional and personal challenges of a leading surgeon’s extraordinary job, and an intimate and moving portrait of wartime Britain through the eyes of those who lived through it as children.
Among the winning documentaries, six were directed by women, eight by men, and two by female-male co-directing teams.
The 2026 BBC Grierson Trustees’ Award was presented to Anna Godas, CEO and co-founder of documentary film company Dogwoof, in recognition of the important role she has played for more than 20 years in securing financial backing for multiple critically acclaimed documentaries which have played to audiences worldwide.
Tom McDonald, Chair of the Grierson Trust says: “This year’s Grierson Awards highlight the continued power of documentaries to investigate injustice, reflect the world around us and explore issues with a fresh eye. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of John Grierson first coining the word “documentary,” the talented filmmakers we celebrate this evening are a testament to the creativity, ingenuity and determination that – despite a challenging landscape – proves that the genre continues to innovate and is still in rude health.”
Full list of winners with jury comments:
Envy Best Single Documentary – Domestic
Grenfell: Uncovered
Rogan Productions for Netflix
Production team
One of the most gripping, vital and urgent films seen in a long time, the jurors were astounded by the access, meticulous research and obvious contributor care in this documentary. Cataloguing a chain reaction of failures with clarity and rigour, this is a masterclass in structure. Propulsion and drive were perfectly balanced with emotion to create an intelligent, definitive document of a tragic event.
Broadcast International Best Single Documentary – International
The Perfect Neighbor
Message Pictures, SO’B Productions, Park Pictures for Netflix
Geeta Gandbhir, Alisa Payne, Nikon Kwantu, Sam Bisbee
The jury praised this documentary as a courageous and innovative film that uses a single harrowing incident to expose the wider realities of systemic oppression and racial violence. They were deeply impressed by its authenticity and cinematic craft, as well as the sensitivity with which such a painful story was told and the exceptional care shown towards those who took part. A truly remarkable achievement.
Televisual Best Current Affairs Documentary
Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel’s War
Zandland for ITV/ITVX
Benjamin Zand, Josh Reynolds, Maya Rostowska, Matan Cohen, Tom Giles
The jury described this film as a powerful and important piece of journalism with extraordinary and revelatory access. They were impressed by its sensitive handling of shocking material while managing to also offer a nuanced perspective. An essential story expertly told.
Bleeding Fingers Music Best Arts and Music Documentary
Songs from the Hole
Cocomotion Pictures, Question Culture in association with Impact Partners, and Artemis Rising Foundation for Netflix
Contessa Gayles, James “JJ’88” Jacobs, Richie Reseda, David Felix Sutcliffe
Jurors praised this film’s astounding access and exceptional creative execution. The documentary’s narrative, pace and style were described as rich and distinctive – weaving in moral questions with an immersive, unique approach that was utterly compelling – telling one person’s story in a way that illuminates a world of systemic failures. A film about art that became art in and of itself.
Best Sports Documentary
Champions of the Golden Valley
Olympic Channel, XTR Studios, Sturgefilm , Tideshift, Optimist, Taleem for Olympics.com
Ben Sturgulewski, Katie Stjernholm, Yiannis Exarchos, Baktash Ahadi, JT Taylor, Justin Lacob
This is a one-of-a-kind sports documentary that takes audiences on a visually stunning and profoundly emotional journey. The jury was captivated by its striking cinematography, sweeping score and, most importantly, its uplifting story of a remote community brought together by a sport. A truly life-affirming film about hope and resilience found in the most difficult of circumstances.
Best History Documentary
Children of the Blitz
Minnow Films for BBC
Jack Warrender, Sophie Jones, Morgan Matthews, George Grafton, Sonia Khan, Anna Price
Entrusted to those who lived through it, this profoundly moving collection of testimonies offers a fresh and deeply personal perspective on a well-documented moment in history. The jury was struck by the honesty and vividness of these regional life stories, and by the thoughtful way in which they are brought together through beautiful graphics, archive material and striking images of the cities as they look today. Both engrossing and historically significant, this is a compelling film that brings the past vividly to life, offering a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving these voices and experiences for future generations.
Best Science and Natural History Documentary
Confessions of a Brain Surgeon
Curious Films for BBC
Harriet Bird, Charlie Russell, Dov Freedman, Freddie Lange-Hewlett, Yasmin Heidary-Milic, William Grayburn
Both original and informative, this documentary unpacked complex themes with nuance and sensitivity. The jurors praised the quiet confidence of the film, which was beautifully shot, superbly cast and deftly handled. An intelligent, assured and insightful portrait of a character that contains multitudes.
Best Crime and Justice Documentary
The Alabama Solution
HBO Documentary Films, Hit The Ground Running for Sky Documentaries
Production team
A standout piece of filmmaking which involved significant risk for the contributors involved and thoughtful, robust duty of care from the filmmakers as a result. This is an intimate, impeccable, passionate investigative documentary which over the course of its runtime reveals its superlative ambition and the unfathomable injustice it exposes.
Most Entertaining Documentary
Miriam Margolyes Made Me Me
Rex TV for BBC
Simon Draper, Gwyn Jones, Lana Salah
Emotional engagement, humour, insight and depth were present throughout this totally surprising, intimate and profound documentary. Jurors were taken in by the revelatory nature of the narrative and the relationship between filmmaker and subject that allowed for honesty, rawness and vulnerability.
Netflix Best Documentary Series
See No Evil
Passion Pictures for Channel 4
Production team
This documentary series took accountability to another level. Delivered with simplicity and sensitivity, the series seamlessly weaved together archive, interviews and reconstruction to deliver a powerful, emotional story. Jurors lauded the duty of care, access and interview technique evident on screen throughout.
Channel 4 Best Constructed and Formatted Documentary Series
Virgin Island
Double Act for Channel 4
Production team
Tackling taboos head-on, the jury was surprised and moved by this series’ intimacy and depth. Beneath its provocative subject matter is a deeply compassionate collection of stories about overcoming shame, isolation and low self-esteem with the potential for real world positive impact.
Sky Documentaries Best Cinema Documentary
The Tale of Silyan
Concordia Studio, The Corner Shop, Ciconia Film for National Geographic
Production Team
The originality and visual splendour of this documentary had the jury members dazzled. Artfully and tenderly exploring the relationship between humans and nature, its extraordinary subjects bring levity and joy to dire circumstances. This film is a beautifully shot fable that’s as enchanting as it is politically charged. It is pure cinema.
Banijay UK Best Student Documentary
In The Name of Mother
National Film and Television School
Sahil Saxena, Densu Moseti, Ronak Kotian, Filip Badiar, Jacob Stone, Sriramachandhran A
The jury applauded the ambition of this project: its subtlety, scope and beautiful cinematography and sound design. It is an exceptionally well crafted, intelligent and unexpected film that signals the arrival of an exciting new talent.
Analogue Best Documentary Short
Children No More: Were and are Gone
Medalia Productions, SALTY Features, Full Story Films for Sky Documentaries
Hilla Medalia, Sheila Nevins, Yael Melamede, Siobhan Sinnerton, Vesna Cudic
An important and arresting story told with restraint and sensitivity which the jury lauded for its emotional power and for the bravery of the filmmakers who placed themselves in a dangerous position. Exceptionally crafted for maximum impact, this is a crucial film about resistance to injustice.
Best Digital Documentary
Barcud
ITV Cymru Wales for S4C
Guto Rhun, Branwen Thomas, Joseff Morgan, Tobias May, Zahra Errami, Elin Howells
A touching and tender portrait, this film impressed the jury with its rule-breaking approach to the digital form, its authenticity and its rawness. It was commended for access to an underseen world, beautiful cinematography and a compelling subject.
Best Documentary Presenter
HAMZA YASSIN for Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles
Silverback Films, Open University for BBC
Laura Howard, Hamza Yassin, Siobhan Brook, Philippa Edwards, Alastair Fothergill, Loz Whitaker
Jurors were utterly charmed by Hamza Yassin, a warm and engaging presence who is completely himself in front of the camera. His passion and energy are infectious and an inspiration to the next generation.
BBC Grierson Trustees’ Award
Anna Godas
The Trustees Award recognises the role Godas has played as the driving force in developing new routes to finance and market for independent documentary, connecting filmmakers with international buyers, distributors and production partners. By expanding Dogwoof beyond traditional UK distribution, she has helped create opportunities for ambitious documentaries to secure backing and reach global audiences, while strengthening the UK’s position within the international documentary sector.
The Grierson Trust is grateful to all its sponsors who help support the awards including headline sponsors Banijay UK and category sponsors Analogue, BBC, Bleeding Fingers Music, Broadcast International, Channel 4, ENVY, Netflix, Sky Documentaries and Televisual, and supporters British Council, National Geographic, The Farm, Realscreen and Sargent-Disc.
photo credit: Victor Frankowski
Jon Creamer
Share this story
