The Grierson Trust has announced the winners of the 2025 British Documentary Awards in association with All3Media. The awards were handed out at a ceremony tonight attended by leading filmmakers, producers and executives from Britain and around the world.
The BBC picked up four awards, with Sky Documentaries winning in three categories and Mubi in two categories. Channel 4, TNT and RTÉ won one category each. Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park, produced by True Vision Productions for Sky Documentaries received two awards on the night: Best Crime and Justice Documentary and Netflix Best Documentary Series.
This year’s award winners spanned streamers, broadcasters and theatrical releases and covered a wide range of issues – from landmark documentaries exploring the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine and land rights in the occupied West Bank, to the police misconduct following the shocking murders of two sisters in the UK. Other winning films included an exploration of untold stories from England’s Rugby World Cup-winning squad, an intimate portrait of a creative couple caring for each other, a unique look at connections between postpartum mental health and the portrayal of witches in western society, the bravery of a teenage girl’s search for her missing family members and the story of two actors performing Shakespeare in the ultra-violent video game, Grand Theft Auto.
The 2025 BBC Grierson Trustees’ Award was presented to editor, Rupert Houseman, who was recognised for the breadth, quality and diversity of the documentary projects he has worked on over many years in the industry, alongside his longstanding commitment to developing and nurturing the next generation of editing talent.
Lorraine Heggessey, Chair of the Grierson Trust says: “As I bow out after 11 years, I have once again been so impressed with the creative and editorial talent of this year’s Grierson Award winners and nominees. Their films are as strong as ever despite the challenges the documentary community is currently facing. What particularly stands out this year is the representation of creative talent from a wide range of backgrounds and the richness of the stories and approaches to documentary-making that have resulted from that progress. Long may it continue!”
Full list of winners with jury comments:
Envy Best Single Documentary – Domestic
Witches
Ardimages UK, Montgomery Avenue, Mubi, Garden Studios for Mubi
Elizabeth Sankey, Manon Ardisson, Chiara Ventura, Jeremy Warmsley, Chloë Thomson, May Davies
Originality, emotional depth, and inventive storytelling. This film takes a challenging, often overlooked subject and makes it both accessible and compelling through a uniquely personal narrative voice, innovative use of archive, and a striking visual style. A powerful blend of humour, emotion, and intellectual ambition, it’s a brave, genre-pushing film that stays with audiences long after the credits roll.
Broadcast International Best Single Documentary – International
No Other Land
Antipode Films, Yabayay for Channel 4
Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Fabien Greenberg, Bård Kjøge Rønning
The jury lauded this documentary as a devastatingly powerful and unflinching portrayal of life amid crisis, captured with extraordinary intimacy and sensitivity. Through remarkable footage and a deeply human central relationship, it offers profound insight into the complexities of power, community, and storytelling in a divided world. Both emotionally raw and ethically resonant, it stands as an urgent and unforgettable work of documentary filmmaking.
Televisual Best Current Affairs Documentary
Life and Death in Gaza
BBC Eye, BBC Storyville for the BBC
Natasha Cox, Lara El Gibaly, Haya Al Badarneh, Sarah Keeling, Simon Cox, Mustafa Khalili
Jurors commended this film for its raw, unfiltered portrayal of war and the human stories within it. With unprecedented access and extraordinary use of user-generated content, it delivers an immersive, authentic experience that captures the immediacy and intensity of conflict. Powerful, insightful, and deeply human, it represents the very best of investigative documentary filmmaking.
Bleeding Fingers Best Arts and Music Documentary
Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other
Manon et Jacob, Final Cut For Real, Fremantle, Louverture Films for theatrical release
Jacob Perlmutter, Manon Ouimet, Signe Byrge Sørensen, Mandy Chang, Joslyn Barnes, Estephan Wagner
A visually stunning and emotionally rich portrait of love, aging, and artistic identity, told with exceptional intimacy and care. This documentary’s distinctive storytelling approach, marked by trust, restraint, and aesthetic precision, offers a rare and powerful look at the complexities of a creative partnership. A quietly bold and original film, it stands apart for its sensitivity, craft, and depth.
Best Crime and Justice Documentary
Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park
True Vision Productions for Sky Documentaries
Alex Thomas, Sian Guerra, Lindsay Konieczny, Jane Greenwood, Ian Watts, Brian Woods
A powerful, compassionate, and impeccably executed exploration of a devastating case of police incompetence and racial injustice. Through extraordinary access and moving, intimate interviews, it gives voice and dignity to the victims’ family while building a deeply human and emotional narrative. Beautifully shot and sensitively crafted, it stands as a masterclass in storytelling, authenticity, and ethical filmmaking.
Best Sports Documentary
Unbreakable: England 2003
TNT Sports, Buzz 16 for TNT Sports
Chris Hay, Andrew Hewitt, James Leith, Nichola Adams, Tom Boswell, James Turner
A raw, profound, and deeply personal exploration of a sporting world we rarely see. Told with unflinching honesty, it offers a powerful commentary on male culture and vulnerability, delivering moments that are both heartbreaking and unforgettable. Brilliantly crafted and emotionally resonant, it’s an outstanding film that lingers long after viewing.
Best History Documentary
The Zelensky Story
72 Films, Open University for the BBC
Michael Waldman, Jecca Powell, Louis Lee Ray, Martin McDonnell, Ben Brown, Jonathan Smith
Jurors praised this film for its masterful storytelling that combines clarity, depth, and emotional resonance to illuminate a pivotal period in contemporary history. Through exceptional use of archive and a compelling central character, it weaves personal narrative with global context, offering insight into the roots of conflict and power. Funny, tense, and profoundly engaging, it transforms complex history into an effortlessly rich and enlightening watch.
Best Science and Natural History Documentary
Britain’s Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story
Hardcash Productions for the BBC
Simon Rawles, Esella Hawkey, Steve Williams, Susie Boniface, Liz Knowles, Alex Booth
This is a powerful and emotionally devastating documentary that combines integrity, craft, and urgency to tell a deeply affecting and lesser-known story. With extraordinary personal testimony, strong archival work, and thoughtful storytelling, it sheds light on post-colonialism, racism and systemic injustice – all while handling complex themes like disability and class with great care and depth. Unflinching yet compassionate, it’s a film that moves, informs, and demands change.
Best Returning Documentary Series
Life and Death Row
BBC Studios Documentary Unit for the BBC
Production team
Jurors praised this compelling documentary series for its phenomenal observational filmmaking and exceptional access that delivers constant revelations and emotional impact. Brilliantly edited and full of unexpected twists and turns, it kept jurors deeply engaged while challenging perceptions at every turn. A standout achievement in documentary storytelling that lingers long after viewing.
Channel 4 Best Popular Culture Documentary
Grand Theft Hamlet
Rebecca Wolff, Julia Ton for Mubi
Pinny Grylls, Sam Crane, Julia Ton, Rebecca Wolff, Mark Oosterveen
This documentary is a bold and original take that deftly captures themes of loneliness, connection, and creativity with humour and emotional depth. Its playful, meta approach and clever use of cinematic form make it feel both intimate and epic, shifting seamlessly between hilarity and poignancy. Unexpected, inventive, and genuinely moving, it is one of the year’s most distinctive and emotionally resonant films.
Netflix Best Documentary Series
Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park
True Vision Productions for Sky Documentaries
Alex Thomas, Sian Guerra, Lindsay Konieczny, Brian Woods
This deeply respectful and powerful series stands out for its restraint, balance, and emotional impact. With exceptional access and a victim-led approach, it humanises all contributors, capturing the complexity of systemic failure while maintaining a strong emotional core. Forensic in its detail and compassionate in its storytelling, it’s a confident, thoughtful, and unforgettable piece of filmmaking.
Sky Documentaries Best Cinema Documentary
Mediha
LoveWorld Media, Enderby Entertainment, Rhino Films, People in The Park, Together Films for theatrical release
Hasan Oswald, Mediha Alhamad, Annelise Mecca, Fahrinisa Oswald, Alexander Spiess, Stephen Nemeth
This raw, emotionally powerful work offers a deeply personal perspective with striking honesty and intimacy. The film’s innovative storytelling, atmospheric sound design, and unflinching vulnerability create a cinematic experience that lingers long after viewing. Bold, affecting, and socially impactful, the jurors marked it as a truly original and unforgettable documentary.
All3Media Best Student Documentary
Welcome Home Freckles
National Film and Television School for University/college screening
Huiju Park, Benjamin Kodboel, Clare Maleeny, Edoardo Vella, Levi Giger, Nathan Hendren
The jurors lauded this film for its brave and deeply personal exploration of generational trauma told with remarkable emotional depth and sophistication. Beautifully shot and expertly edited, it combines powerful storytelling, exquisite cinematography, and subtle sound design to create an intimate and moving portrait of family, pain, and hope. Honest, restrained, and profoundly affecting, it stands out as an accomplished and mature piece of filmmaking.
Best Documentary Short
Chernobyl: My Promised Land
Story Films for Sky Documentaries
Mark Dominic Devlin, Kateryna Voropai, Bruce Fletcher, Anton Short
Jurors praised this film for its extraordinary storytelling, emotional depth, and sense of place that felt expansive despite its brief runtime. With remarkable access and layered, human storytelling, this short documentary captures themes of resilience, belonging, and community against the backdrop of history and displacement. Cohesive, compelling, and beautifully crafted, jurors declared this film as a masterclass in documentary filmmaking.
Best Documentary Presenter
BLINDBOY BOATCLUB for Blindboy: The Land of Slaves & Scholars
Connla’s Well Productions for RTE
Blindboy Boatclub, James Cotter, Sally Roden, Amelie De Buyl Pisco, Emer O’Clery, Mark Bennett
Jurors applauded this documentary for bringing a fresh, personal, and deeply thought-provoking perspective to the screen. With honesty, poetic insight, and a uniquely engaging voice, this presenter drew audiences into subjects they might not normally explore, challenging perceptions and sparking genuine reflection. Their authenticity and originality make their work both distinctive and profoundly impactful.
BBC Grierson Trustees’ Award
Rupert Houseman
Grierson Trustees have lauded Houseman for the breadth, quality and diversity of the documentary projects he has worked on over many years in the industry, alongside his longstanding commitment to developing and nurturing the next generation of editing talent.
The Grierson Trust is grateful to all its sponsors who help support the awards including headline sponsors All3Media and category sponsors BBC, Bleeding Fingers, Broadcast International, Channel 4, ENVY, National Geographic, Netflix, Sky Documentaries and Televisual, as well as official music partners Audio Network, and supporters the British Council, The Farm, Realscreen and Sargent Disc.
Jon Creamer
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