On Thursday, the winners of the 2023 Grierson Awards were announced at a ceremony held at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. We were delighted to see so many directors, including Directors UK members, recognised for their documentary work.
The Grierson Trustees’ Award was presented to Anna Hall, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the craft of documentary. Grierson Chair Lorraine Heggesey said of Anna being presented with The Grierson Trustees Awards: “Anna Hall has consistently set out to create agenda-setting, high-profile documentaries which often challenge established thinking and lead to real change to the everyday lives of individuals and communities... I can’t think of a better recipient of this year’s BBC Grierson Trustees’ Award.”
The Grierson Hero of the Year Award was presented to Deaf & Disabled People in TV (DDPTV), for its successful work to increase diversity and inclusion in documentary and factual television. On the award, Sylvia Bednarz, Managing Director of the Grierson Trust, said: “[...] the organisation has been a real driver for increased inclusivity in our industry, successfully working with broadcasters, streamers, indies and disabled people themselves to help talented, diverse people enter and sustain successful careers in documentary making.”
The award for Best Single Documentary — Domestic was presented to Lyra, directed by Alison Millar. Meanwhile, the Best Single Documentary — International award and the Best Cinema Documentary award was presented to All That Breathes, directed by Shaunak Sen.
Retrograde, directed by Matthew Heineman, took home the prize for Best Current Affairs Documentary, with “Sr.”, directed by Chris Smith and created in association with Team Downey & Library Films, picking up the prize for Best Arts Documentary.
Best Music Documentary was presented to Moonage Daydream, directed by Brett Morgan. Meanwhile, the prize for the Best Sport Documentary category went to The Real Mo Farah, directed by Leo Burley.
The award for Best History Documentary went to Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland — Episode 3, directed by James Bluemel, and Inside our Autistic Minds — Episode 1 directed by Emma Jones and Joe Myerscough took home the prize for Best Science Documentary. Best Natural History or Environmental Science Documentary was awarded to Big Oil Versus the World — Denial, directed by Jane McMullen, and Pepsi, Where's My Jet — The Kid from Seattle directed by Andrew Renzi went home with the prize for Best Entertaining Documentary.
The prize for the Best Documentary Series category was awarded to Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland, directed by James Bluemel.
The award for Best Documentary Short was presented to Lady of the Gobi, directed by Khoroldorj Choijoovanchig. With Woman, directed by Mia Harvey, was awarded the prize for Best Student Documentary.
Congratulations to all of this year's fantastic winners and nominees, across all categories! You can read the full list here, along with judges’ comments.
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