Sheffield DocFest 2025: Celebrating Documentaries and Resilience
The 32nd Sheffield DocFest has wrapped up in England, showcasing a remarkable array of documentary films. At the festival’s closing gala held at Sheffield’s Crucible Playhouse on Sunday, director Anastasiya Miroshnichenko’s film Welded Together took home the prestigious Grand Jury Award for the International Competition. The jury praised the film as “a portrait of resilience and strength—both of the main character and the community that stands in solidarity.” It poignantly contrasts the warmth of human generosity against the backdrop of alcoholism in Belarusian society, offering an honest and touching depiction of a young woman striving to keep her family united.
Kicking off on June 18, Sheffield DocFest featured an impressive lineup of 51 world premieres from 68 different countries. In a collaborative effort with Showroom Cinema, the festival will continue its DocNights screening program throughout the year, ensuring that the spirit of documentary filmmaking lives on.
Winners of Sheffield DocFest 2025
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Grand Jury Award for the International Competition
Welded Together – Directed by Anastasiya Miroshnichenko (France, Netherlands, Belgium, 2025)
Special Mention: The Gas Station Attendant – Directed by Karla Murthy (USA, 2025) -
Grand Jury Award for the International First Feature Competition
Comparsa – Directed by Vickie Curtis and Doug Anderson (Guatemala, USA, 2025)
Special Mention: Carmela and the Walkers (Carmela y los Caminantes) – Directed by Luis Herrera and Esteban Coloma (Ecuador, 2025) -
Grand Jury Award for the International Short Film Competition
In a Whisper (Dans un Souffle) – Directed by Catarina Gonçalves (Portugal, Hungary, Belgium, 2025)
Special Mention: Oscurana – Directed by Violeta Mora (Honduras, Hungary, Portugal, Belgium, 2025) -
Tim Hetherington Award
Sudan, Remember Us (Sudan Y’a Ghali) – Directed by Hind Meddeb (France, Tunisia, Qatar, 2024) -
International Virtual Reality Competition
Speechless Witness of a Wandering Tree -
Youth Jury Award
Runa Simi – Directed by Augusto Zegarra (Peru, 2025)
Special Mention: The Stand – Directed by Christopher Auchter (Canada, 2024) -
Shine Global Children’s Resilience Award for Documentary
Comparsa – Directed by Vickie Curtis and Doug Anderson (Guatemala, USA, 2025) -
The Whickers Pitch, Film & TV Funding Award 2025
1st prize: The Video Guy – Sam Howard and Alexander Dickerson
2nd prize: Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Koval Bhatia -
The Podcast Pitch
1st prize: Redemption Man – Chris Mitchell
2nd prize: The Great Gay Penguin Cover Up – Jesse Lou Lawson -
First Cut Pitch
Clio Symington -
Climate Spring Pitch
Michelle Sanders, Downstream - Al Jazeera Documentary Channel Co-Production Award
Gaza Sunbirds and Power – Elaine
Sheffield DocFest continues to be a platform for powerful storytelling, celebrating the art of documentary filmmaking while highlighting essential social issues. Stay tuned for more screenings and updates as the DocNights program unfolds throughout the year!
