Last night, the winners of the 2020 Grierson Awards were announced with Channel 4’s Jade: The Reality Star Who Change Britain taking a double crown, Mobeen Azhar taking the Best Presenter gong and acclaimed filmmaker Asif Kapadia recognised with the BBC Grierson Trustees’ Award.
Hosted by comedian and actor, Sara Pascoe, the 2020 Griersons were presented on YouTube in conjunction with digital broadcast partners, Little Dot Studios and headline sponsors All3Media.
The 14 awards are spread across the UK’s broadcast channels with the BBC and Channel 4 taking four awards each and one apiece for ITV, Netflix and Channel 5 – winning its first ever gong. The remaining three were made up of festival and theatrical screenings.
Chair of The Grierson Trust, Lorraine Heggessey said: “2020 has been a year like no other – from the Black Lives Matter campaign, continued political upheaval in the US and elsewhere and, of course, the Cobid-19 pandemic. This tumult and its energy is reflected in our winning films.
“John Grierson believed documentaries play a crucial role in countering threats to democracy and highlighting issues that matter to society. This is amply demonstrated by the finalists and winners of this year’s awards which shine fresh light on a wide range of issues from dementia and disability rights, through civil war and ethnic cleansing to mental health and the destruction of our natural world. They are powerful, bold stories told with skill and compassion. Congratulations to them all.”
The ceremony can be watched in full at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S570YonuvG4
Winners in full:
ENVY Best Single Documentary – Domestic
WINNER:
Suicidal: In Our Own Words
Rachel Harvie, David Dehaney, Emmanuel Ayettey & Iain Pettifer for Proper Content
Channel 5
The judges said: “This was a brave film which brought us a new understanding of a topic that is often hidden away. The contributors obviously trusted the filmmaker and opened up in a way that never felt voyeuristic. It definitely stayed with us long after watching it.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
The Family Secret
Anna Hall, Sally Ogden, Luke Rothery & Brian Woods for Candour Productions
Channel 4
OPEN UNIVERSITY Best Single Documentary – International
WINNER:
Crip Camp
Nicole Newnham, Jim LeBrecht, Sara Bolder, Howard Gertler, Priya Swaminathan & Tonia Davis for A Higher Ground & Rusted Spoke Production with Little Punk, JustFilms & Ford Foundation
Netflix
The judges said: “Our remarkable winner told a hidden slice of history with warmth, tenderness and humour. It was a joyful watch but with a rawness about a movement which changed society. This was a beautifully crafted film with a story well told.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Untouchable: The Rise and Fall of Harvey Weinstein
Ursula Macfarlane, Simon Chinn, Jonathan Chinn, Poppy Dixon & Andy R Worboys for Lightbox
BBC Two
REAL STORIES Best Current Affairs Documentary
WINNER:
Undercover: Inside China’s Digital Gulag
Robin Barnwell, Gesbeen Mohammad, Guy Creasey, Simon Russell & David Henshaw for Hardcash Productions
ITV
The judges said:”This eye-opening documentary alerted the world to the terrifying control exerted over a persecuted and tortured population. We commend the courage of the undercover reporters who filmed at huge personal risk. This film had everything: immediacy, urgency and dedication to getting an important story out to the world.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Undercover with the Clerics
Paddy Wells, Mais Al-Bayaa, Nawal Al Maghafi, Monica Garnsey, Chris Mitchell & Gary Beelders for BBC News Arabic
BBC News Arabic
STORM Best Arts or Music Documentary
WINNER:
Show Me the Picture: The Story of Jim Marshall
Alfred George Bailey, Adam Biskupski, Ian Arber, Tatiana Kennedy, Amelia Davis & Nicolas Sampson a Bailey Kennedy Production for Modern Films
General theatrical release
The judges said: “Whilst the work of this artist is familiar, little was known about the individual until this revealing documentary. It’s an illuminating study of a volatile, troubled creative which transported us to the heart of their world and opened up a new vista on their work.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Terms and Conditions: A UK Drill Story
Brian Hill, Kandise Abiola, Katie Bailiff, Fraser T Smith, Stuart Briggs &Andre Johnson for Century Films
You Tube Originals
CHANNEL 5 Best Historical Documentary
WINNER:
Jade: The Reality Star Who Changed Britain – Episode 1
Robert Coldstream, Clare Cameron, Justin Badger, Jane Greaves & Edmund Coulthard for Blast! Films
Channel 4
The judges said: “Our film is timely and nostalgic. Focusing on a fascinating character, it is intellectually stimulating and manages to link themes relating to Brexit, the disenfranchisement of the working class, phone hacking and the duty of care scandal in an exciting narrative package.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Crip Camp
Nicole Newnham, Jim LeBrecht, Sara Bolder, Howard Gertler, Priya Swaminathan & Tonia Davis for A Higher Ground & Rusted Spoke Production with Little Punk, JustFilms & Ford Foundation
Netflix
SARGENT-DISC Best Science Documentary
WINNER:
War in the Blood
Arthur Cary, Morgan Matthews, Ben Brown, Saskia Rusher & Andrew Phillips for Minnow Films
BBC Two
The judges said: “The winner is an extraordinary film: captivating from start to finish. It highlighted both the objectivity and humanity of scientists. And the access and relationships of trust developed with contributors made this film a compelling, and sometimes heart-breaking, watch.”
DISCOVERY Best Natural History Documentary
WINNER:
The Last Igloo
Christian Collerton, Will Grayburn, Joe Evans, Neil Crombie, Adam Simons & Mick Duffield for Swan Films
BBC Four
The judges said: “We were hypnotised by this atmospheric film about a livelihood that feels completely other. To document a way of life that may be lost to future generations in such an original, captivating and immersive way is incredibly important and left us all feeling enriched.”
YOUTUBE ORIGINALS Best Entertaining Documentary
WINNER:
The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan: Zimbabwe
Romesh Ranganathan, Emily Hudd, Morgan Roberts, Chris Cottam & Andy Linton for Rumpus Media
BBC Two
The judges said: “The chemistry between the lead and co-presenter on this show won us over. The winning documentary approached its subject, along with its politics and history, without any preconceptions which made for fascinating and thoroughly entertaining viewing.”
NETFLIX Best Documentary Series
WINNER:
Jade: The Reality Star Who Changed Britain
Robert Coldstream, Clare Cameron, Justin Badger, Jane Greaves & Edmund Coulthard for Blast! Films
Channel 4
The judges said: “Tonight’s winning series is of epic proportions. It tells an unlikely character’s story with great sophistication, whilst uncovering broader themes of class, race and celebrity. We applaud the storyteller’s fantastic access and their sensitivity whilst challenging the audience to consider their complicity.”
CHANNEL 4 Best Constructed Documentary Series
WINNER:
The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes
Benjamin Leigh, Trish Powell, Murray Boland, Martin Oxley, Louise Bartmann & Neil Cornish for CPL Productions & Motion Content Group
Channel 4
The judges said: “The winning series had a lightness of touch and a depth of emotion that pulled us in from the start. It was sometimes painful to watch but there were many moments of pure joy too. We felt that viewers would learn a lot from watching it.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Long Lost Family
Sally Benton, Clare Bradbury, Susie Attwood, Rick Barker & Johnny Wagener for Wall to Wall Media
ITV
BFI DOC SOCIETY FUND Best Cinema Documentary
WINNER:
For Sama
Waad al Kateab, Ed Watts, Nevine Mabro, Ben de Pear, Siobhan Sinnerton & George Waldrum for Channel 4 News & ITN Productions for Channel 4 & PBS Frontline
General theatrical release
The judges said: “The overall winner is a searingly intimate, profound film. Phenomenal journalistic skills were used to take the camera into a community facing impossible odds. Without being didactic it tells a number of truths, which were visceral and hugely moving. The judges, unanimous in their praise, said it was an incredible document of history that will stand the test of time.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Honeyland
Tamara Kotevska, Ljubomir Stefanov & Atanas Georgiev
General theatrical release
THE RUMI FOUNDATION Best Documentary Short
WINNER:
Country Girl
Ellen Evans & Pearl Doughty-White for BFI Doc Society
Open City Docs Film Festival
The judges said: “The winner stood out for its compelling storytelling. We were impressed with the film’s intimacy and style which comes from having a strong relationship with the contributor. It was a complex story that shone a light on solace and salvation, juxtaposed against a faceless bureaucracy.”
ALL3MEDIA Best Student Documentary
WINNER:
Miss Curvy
Ghada Eldemellawy & Gareth Pugh for NFTS
University/College screening
The judges said: “This unconventional, entertaining film was a joy to watch. Its original take felt personal and with access to great characters, it was able to explore dark and light themes in a fresh voice that did not shy away from controversy.”
WARNER BROS TELEVISION PRODUCTION UK Best Documentary Presenter
WINNER:
MOBEEN AZHAR for Hometown: A Killing
Forest & 7 Wonder
BBC Three
The judges said: “Our winning presenter is the complete package: captivating, inquisitive and brave. With great sensitivity and journalistic nous, they revealed the inner workings of a hidden world. And there were also lovely, touching moments which added to their naturalness and credibility.”
BBC Grierson Trustees’ Award
Asif Kapadia
Jon Creamer
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