Copenhagen, Denmark – The 23rd edition of CPH:DOX, the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, culminated with the announcement of its prestigious award winners in the Danish capital on Friday, celebrating a diverse array of cinematic achievements that tackle pressing global issues and push the boundaries of documentary form. While the festival officially concludes on Sunday, the eagerly awaited revelation of the CPH:DOX winners underscored the event’s commitment to showcasing compelling and thought-provoking narratives from around the world.
A Global Platform for Documentary Excellence
CPH:DOX has solidified its reputation as one of the world’s premier documentary film festivals, consistently attracting a global cohort of filmmakers and industry professionals. This year’s competition featured an impressive lineup of 74 films, meticulously selected from thousands of submissions. The extensive program included 53 world premieres, 17 international premieres, and four European debuts, reflecting the festival’s critical role in introducing new and significant works to an international audience. The sheer volume and geographic spread of the entries highlight CPH:DOX’s influence as a barometer for the state of contemporary documentary cinema, emphasizing its capacity to unearth hidden gems and amplify underrepresented voices.
The festival’s ethos revolves around fostering critical engagement with societal issues, encouraging dialogue, and challenging conventional perspectives. Its various competitive sections are designed to recognize films that excel not only in artistic merit but also in their investigative depth, human rights advocacy, and experimental approach to storytelling. This commitment to both form and content distinguishes CPH:DOX within the crowded international film festival circuit.
DOX:Award Honors Intimate Chinese Narrative
The coveted DOX:Award, the festival’s top prize, was bestowed upon Dongnan Chen’s Whispers in May. The film, a co-production spanning Hong Kong, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden, captivated the jury with its unique blend of documentary and improvisational elements. It intimately follows the lives of three young girls in China, particularly focusing on one who experiences her first menstruation, a pivotal moment signaling the profound transition from girlhood to womanhood. The jury praised Chen for her ability to weave "mythical stories about hidden worlds" and for giving "breadth and depth to quotidian moments," creating a "modern-day fairytale" that resonates with universal themes of growth and self-discovery.
In a strong showing for female filmmakers, Nolwenn Hervé’s The Cord, a powerful portrait of a "maternity warrior" in Venezuela, received a special mention in the DOX:Award category. This French production was lauded for its unforgettable debut, highlighting stories of resilience in challenging environments. These films collectively underscore CPH:DOX’s dedication to spotlighting personal narratives that reflect broader societal shifts and human experiences.
Challenging Perspectives with the FIPRESCI Award
The newly introduced FIPRESCI Award, presented by the International Federation of Film Critics, recognized Nathan Grossman’s Amazomania. This Swedish, Danish, and French co-production offers a critical re-examination of a decades-old film documenting the first contact with the Korubo tribe in Brazil. The jury commended Amazomania for its "contemporary and thought-provoking perspective on an intrusive culture clash," delving into themes of "loss of innocence, the complex colonial legacy of the human gaze, and the devastating impact of capitalism." The film serves as a potent reminder of the ethical considerations in documentary filmmaking and the importance of revisiting historical narratives with fresh eyes. Its selection reflects a growing critical discourse within the industry about representation and the power dynamics inherent in storytelling about marginalized communities.
Activism and Democracy in the F:ACT Competition
The F:ACT Award, which bridges filmmaking with investigative journalism, went to Emma Wall and Betsy Hershey’s Just Look Up. This American and Danish co-production offers a compelling portrait of young climate activist Michael Greenberg, the founder and leader of the Climate Defiance movement. The jury lauded the film for its urgent and important subject matter, managing to be "funny, uplifting and even hopeful" while addressing the global climate crisis. It highlights the growing influence of youth activism and the role of documentary in galvanizing public awareness and action.
A special mention in this category was given to Stephen Maing and Eric Daniel Metzgar’s The Great Experiment. Described as a "cinematic time capsule capturing a volatile era in American history and offering an intimate portrait of democracy in crisis," this U.S. and Mexican co-production resonated with its timely exploration of political divides and societal fragmentation. The jury praised its "cinematic precision and emotional depth," identifying it as an "essential witness" to a pivotal moment in history.
Nordic and Global Narratives of Resilience
The NORDIC:DOX Award celebrated the region’s strong documentary tradition, with the prize going to Shakiba Adil and Elina Hirvonen’s The Secret Reading Club of Kabul. This Finnish and Norwegian co-production follows young Afghan women, inspired by Anne Frank, as they bravely defy the Taliban’s oppressive regime. The jury praised the directors for creating an "echo chamber where the voices of silenced children can circulate freely," affirming the power of documentary cinema to make injustice visible and give voice to the oppressed. The film serves as a poignant testament to the human spirit’s resilience in the face of authoritarianism and a powerful call for global solidarity.
Another Nordic gem, Taekyung Tanja Inwol Sørensen’s Homesick (Hjemsøgt), received a special mention in the NORDIC:DOX competition. This Danish, South Korean, and Finnish co-production, the director’s second feature, delves into concepts of family and belonging through the eyes of the filmmaker, a South Korean adoptee raised in Denmark. The film offers a deeply personal exploration of identity and cultural heritage, a theme increasingly prevalent in global cinema.
Exploring New Waves and Human Rights
The NEXT:WAVE Award, spotlighting emerging filmmakers and new cinematic currents, was presented to Irene Bartholomé’s Dream of Another Summer (Spain & Lebanon). The film uses Beirut as an "epicenter of this meditative journey," exploring the city’s scars, present awareness, and future dreams. Special mention went to Tom Adjibi’s This Is Not a French Film (Belgium & France), celebrated for its playful form and charming narrative that explores the complexity of identity and representation within the Belgian film industry.
In the HUMAN:RIGHTS competition, Maryam Ebrahimi’s The Phantom Pain of Rojava (Sweden & Norway) emerged as the winner. The film lyrically portrays the bond among brave, predominantly women fighters in Rojava, highlighting their dignity and dedication amidst ongoing threats to their human rights. A special mention was given to Poh Si Teng’s American Doctor (United States, Palestine, Malaysia & Denmark), an urgent account of human rights violations unfolding in Gaza, particularly the systematic killing of medical professionals and children.
Innovation in Form: New:Vision and Inter:Active Awards
CPH:DOX also recognized films pushing artistic boundaries. The NEW:VISION Award went to Rico Wong’s Compact Disc (Hong Kong & United Kingdom), a deeply moving portrayal of young friends revisiting their involvement in recent protests through low-fi technologies and fragmented memories. The jury praised its experimental use of media and genuine storytelling. Special mention was given to Tulapop Saenjaroen’s Local Sensations (Thailand), a cinematic essay reimagining monuments as fluid and unfixed, posing questions about how history is questioned rather than consecrated.
The INTER:ACTIVE Exhibition Award celebrated immersive projects, with Sacha Wares’ Inside: The Childhood of an Artist (United Kingdom) taking the top prize for its multisensory VR experience. The work, praised for its power to evoke a deeply human experience, immerses viewers in a child’s perspective as the adult world becomes unstable, incorporating scent, sound, and a tangible artwork by Judith Scott. Mads Damsbo & Laurits Flensted-Jensen’s Dark Rooms (Denmark, Germany & Taiwan) received a special mention for its boundary-pushing immersive VR exploration of sexual awakening, challenging taboos with courage and precision.
The Enduring Impact of CPH:DOX Winners
The diverse roster of CPH:DOX winners reflects a dynamic and evolving landscape for documentary filmmaking. These films, often born from challenging circumstances and driven by passionate creative visions, are poised to make significant contributions to global discourse. The recognition at CPH:DOX not only provides vital exposure for these filmmakers but also often serves as a springboard for broader distribution and critical acclaim, ensuring their powerful stories reach wider audiences. The festival’s commitment to supporting emerging talent and fostering cinematic innovation cements its position as a crucial platform for the future of documentary film.
As the festival concludes, the impact of these narratives will undoubtedly extend beyond the screens in Copenhagen. The stories of resilience, activism, identity, and human rights championed by the CPH:DOX winners will continue to provoke thought, inspire action, and deepen understanding across cultures. The final Audience Award winner, sponsored by Danish public service broadcaster DR with a prize of €10,000, is set to be unveiled on March 26, further engaging the public in celebrating the power of documentary cinema.
