The Grierson Trust has announced the winners of the 2024 British Documentary Awards in association with All3Media.
The awards were handed out at a ceremony hosted by actor and comedian Kerry Godliman and attended by hundreds of leading filmmakers, producers and executives from Britain and around the world, at Roundhouse in Camden, London.
Channel 4 picked up the highest number of awards – five in total, followed by the BBC with three, Netflix with two and Paramount+ with one winner. Two documentaries won in two categories: 20 Days in Mariupol, from FRONTLINE, PBS and The Associated Press, won the Best Current Affairs Documentary award and Best Cinema Documentary award. Me and the Voice in My Head, produced by Hungry Bear Media for Channel 4, won the Best Single Documentary – Domestic award, with Joe Tracini winning the Best Documentary Presenter award.
This year’s award winners, which were recognised by the jurors for their excellence, spanned a wide range of subjects with powerful documentaries on the war in Ukraine, a Turkish singer’s personal journey recovering from tragedy as she bravely campaigned against femicide, and a fresh take on the history of racism in the USA. Other winning films provided an insightful portrait of the reality of living with a serious mental health condition, an exploration of Muslim faith in modern Britain, a different perspective on the power of sport, and a unique look at a Korean film club.
In addition to the programme awards, this year’s Grierson Trustees’ Award was presented to Stacey Dooley.
Lorraine Heggessey, Chair of the Grierson Trust says: “This year’s Grierson Awards showcase the creativity and ambition of the best documentary makers and the richness that the diversity of our industry brings to the screen. The winning films tell compelling stories on a wide range of domestic and international subjects. Documentary makers around the world are under pressure not just from budgets but also from the increasingly polarised climate in which they operate. Through these awards the Trust salutes their commitment and bravery, along with recognising and thanking commissioners and funders for their continued support for the genre.”
Full list of 2024 winners:
ENVY Best Single Documentary – Domestic:
Me and the Voice in My Head
Hungry Bear Media Ltd for Channel 4
Joe Tracini, Tom Green, Tommy Forbes, Dan Baldwin, Garry Crystal, Georgie Bayford
Jurors praised this compelling documentary for its original approach and effective creative storytelling devices. They were mesmerised by the lead author, who was driving their own narrative. Described as an intense and sometimes uncomfortable watch, this documentary tackles a difficult subject with an honest, humorous and vulnerable tone, and gives audiences insight into the true voice of the contributor.
Best Single Documentary – International
My Name is Happy
October Films, Red Zed Films, Horovel Films for Channel 4
Nick Read, Ayse Toprak, Adam Bullmore, Mahmut Kaya, Meryem Yavuz, Anna Price
The jurors applauded this as an inspirational story about overcoming adversity in a society where women are under constant threat of losing their lives. The filmmakers expertly show us the slow and moving recovery journey of the titular character at the centre of this unfolding narrative. Through her compelling voice over, she shines a light on the growing issue of femicide and how in the aftermath of tragedy, she is able to be a powerful voice for change and protest.
Televisual Best Current Affairs Documentary
20 Days in Mariupol
FRONTLINE, PBS and The Associated Press for Theatrical release
Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner, Raney Aronson-Rath, Derl McCrudden, Vasilisa Stepanenko
Jurors praised this documentary as an exceptional film with true power. Described as a painful and moving watch, this film brings a human inflection and takes audiences beyond the news story. Jurors believe that this documentary will be seen as a powerful historical document and something we’ll look back on in years to come.
Best Arts Documentary
Yellow Door: ’90s Lo-fi Film Club
Broccoli Pictures Co. Ltd for Netflix
Kim Hyung-oak, Lee Hyuk-rae
The jurors were charmed by the fresh and unique storytelling of this film. They praised the documentary for its originality and different visual style in the portrayal of its captivating subjects, managing to be both fresh and nostalgic at the same time.
Sky Documentaries Best Music Documentary
Milli Vanilli
Keep On Running Pictures, Fulwell 73, MRC for Paramount+
Luke Korem, Bradley Jackson, Jon Michael Simpson, Hanif Abdurraqib, Kim Marlowe, Patrick Berry
The jurors lauded this music industry fable as an incredible story brilliantly told, with funny, captivating characters throughout. The film explored layers of exploitation, race and class through great use of archive, fantastic access and insightful, fascinating interviews. It’s a documentary sure to enthral and appal audiences far and wide.
Broadcast Sport Best Sports Documentary
Mighty Penguins
Meadowlark, Firelight, Fever for theatrical release
Louis Myles, Ahmed Twaij, Smriti Keshari, John Skipper, David Kempshall, Kirin Alvi
With humanity at its heart, this documentary sends a strong message that sport is a love language. Jurors were moved by the lead author’s authenticity, warmth and passion for building powerful community. Told with humour and a light touch approach, the film spotlights personal stories and the genuine impact sport can have.
Best History Documentary
Stamped from the Beginning
A Netflix Documentary, One Story Up Production for Netflix
Roger Ross Williams, David Teague, Alisa Payne, John Fisher, Francesca Sharper, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
The jury lauded this documentary as a creative, fresh, uncompromising thesis on the history of racist ideas against black people in America. With a singular vision that drew on the testimony of under-represented academic voices, the stylish mix of animation and contemporary archive really elevated the film.
Best Science Documentary
The Jennings vs Alzheimer’s
Expectation Entertainment for BBC
Niamh Kennedy, Colin Barr, Arthur Cary, Rick Barker, Emma Lysaght, Jess Austin
Balancing science communications and showcasing ordinary family life, jurors praised this remarkable film for exploring memory in new, creative ways. Thoughtful contributors, beautiful archive and an innovative approach to storytelling made for an immersive experience for the audience, as the microcosm of one family’s history reveals an extraordinary story of medical revolution.
Best Natural History or Environmental Documentary
Silverback
An Off the Fence Production for BBC in co production with France Télévisions in association with Featuristic Films for BBC
Miles Blayden-Ryall, Andrew Zikking, Guy Gilbert, Sam Dawe, Tanwen Hughes, Amy Freeman
With a compelling, layered story set against a complex political, economic and cultural background, jurors commended this powerful authored documentary for its clever handling of the moral quandary at the heart of the narrative. An emotional watch, the filmmakers’ bravery in capturing truly wild, unhabituated animals in an extraordinary way – and in such a dangerous environment – truly impressed the panel who were unanimous in their praise.
Channel 4 Best Popular Culture Documentary
Big Zuu Goes to Mecca
Acme TV for BBC
Zuhair ‘Big Zuu’ Hassan, Kiz Hoque, Ross Cameron, Adnan Ahmed, Jaimie D’Cruz
This documentary was described by the jurors as enlightening, joyous and with positive energy from start to finish. It was brilliantly directed and explored a powerful subject matter in a very accessible way. The jury were captivated by the charismatic, warm personality at the heart of the film, who was so refreshingly honest and open they couldn’t fail to engage the audience as they embarked on a very personal journey.
Netflix Best Documentary Series
The Push: Murder on the Cliff
Candour Productions for Channel 4
Anna Hall, Luke Rothery, Josephine Besbrode, Tom Whitaker, Kate Reid
This phenomenal documentary series painted a picture of a difficult story but was told with true humanity and integrity. Jurors described the series as outstanding, heart wrenching, and visually stylish. With a gripping narrative, the series was commended for its exceptional access and sensitive approach.
Best Cinema Documentary
20 Days in Mariupol
FRONTLINE, PBS and The Associated Press for Theatrical release
Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner, Raney Aronson-Rath, Derl McCrudden, Vasilisa Stepanenko
Jurors described this film as vital, devastating and viscerally cinematic. The filmmakers drew the audience close to the action with a powerful voiceover, a simple but impactful score and deft cinematography; always pointing the camera at the right subject in immensely difficult circumstances. This powerful documentary allows audiences to bear witness to – and emotionally connect with – the atrocities in the film.
All3Media Best Student Documentary
The Waiter, the Scientist and Jenny
National Film and Television School – University/college screening
Joe Snelling, Ben Sales, Omar Gabriel Delnevo, Nir Perlman, Carl Mason, George Philip Blake
This incredibly touching documentary was described by jurors as bare, revealing and beautifully filmed. The film took audiences on a journey with its observational approach and showed confident filmmaking. Jurors were gripped by its intimate and gentle approach – it was a compelling watch, and they felt the trust between filmmaker and the subject.
Best Documentary Short
Ted & Noel
Happenstance Films for Channel 4
Julia Alcamo, Dan Hodgson, Mary Pattisson, Sarah Keeling, Morgan K Spencer, Peter Edwards
The filmmakers captured this endearing, gentle, inspirational character with expertise, producing a short story with incredible depth. Exploring issues around race, sexuality, elder abuse and more, the film skilfully weaves together so much context, history and heart to create a neat and emotionally compelling package which left the jurors wanting more.
Best Documentary Presenter
JOE TRACINI for Me and the Voice in My Head
Hungry Bear Media Ltd for Channel 4
Joe Tracini, Tom Green, Tommy Forbes, Dan Baldwin, Garry Crystal, Georgie Bayford
The candour and humour in this film truly captivated the jurors from start to finish. Brave in its approach to storytelling the script was described as original, fresh, and funny, and felt genuinely authored by its presenter. Just as they came close to being the subject of the film, the smart and timely narration put them back in the driving seat, and the jury commended them for really interrogating other contributors, which could not have been easy. Impressive, entertaining and a uniquely creative way to present a very difficult topic.
BBC Grierson Trustees’ Award
Stacey Dooley
“Stacey Dooley has brought a refreshing new voice to documentary making and has consistently brought challenging subjects to new audiences, especially younger viewers and children. Her films and series have fearlessly tackled the big issues that affect young, diverse and marginalised people around the world. Her emotional intelligence enables her to build a natural rapport with her interviewees and she is also willing to challenge those in authority by asking direct, difficult questions. This has earned her respect from audiences and peers alike, and she has regularly been mentioned by our Grierson DocLab trainees as the inspiration for wanting to become a documentary maker. We are all thrilled to recognise Stacey’s contribution to documentary making with this year’s Trustees’ Award.”
The Grierson Trust is grateful to all its sponsors who help support the awards including headline sponsors All3Media and category sponsors BBC, Channel 4, ENVY, Netflix, Sky Documentaries, Broadcast Sport and Televisual, as well as supporters the British Council, Picture Shop and Satusfaction.
Jon Creamer
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