During the much-anticipated Doc Day at the Marché du Film in Cannes, the winners of the prestigious 2025 Docs-in-Progress Awards were announced this Thursday. These awards, presented in collaboration with leading international organizations, recognize outstanding documentaries in their final stages of production. More than just a distinction, the awards have become a mark of excellence in the world of documentary filmmaking.
The selection of the winning projects was carried out by a distinguished jury composed of Maria Bonsanti, Soleil Gharbieh, and Kiyoko McCrae. It was during the official award ceremony, held as part of Doc Day, that the names of the winning documentaries were revealed. This event marked the conclusion of a day entirely dedicated to documentary cinema, with panels, discussions, and masterclasses bringing together professionals from around the world in the heart of Cannes.
The 2025 Docs-in-Progress Awards were sponsored this year by key organizations such as IEFTA, Al Jazeera Documentary, Chicken & Egg Pictures, TransPerfect Media, Rise and Shine, Alphapanda, Think-Film Impact Production, the law firm Rulli Putortì & Partners, and DAE – the Documentary Association of Europe.
Winners:
€10,000 cash prize and project follow-up by IEFTA – The International Emerging Film Talent Association.
Winner: Asphalt by Hamza Hamideh (Jordan) – Palestine Showcase
Al Jazeera Documentary to come in as co-producer, with a minimum contribution of $15,000.
Winner: Everybody to Kenmure Street by Felipe Bustos Sierra (UK) – Scotland Showcase
Presented to a woman or gender-expansive filmmaker whose film offers a creative vision and the potential to create change. Includes a $5,000 cash prize, one year of mentorship, and AlumNest membership.
Winner: Something Familiar by Rachel Close (Romania, UK) – CIRCLE Showcase
Presented to a woman or gender-expansive filmmaker whose film offers a creative vision and the potential to create change. Includes a $5,000 cash prize, one year of mentorship, and AlumNest membership.
Winner: Sama by Rabab Khamis (Palestine, France) – Palestine Showcase
€5,000 grant in post-production services, thanks to the participation of TransPerfect Media, Technical Partner of the Festival de Cannes.
Winner: The Production of the World by Brett Story (Canada, UK, France) – Canada Showcase
For the project with the best international potential, and with no attached sales agent. €3,000 cash prize, awarded to the project’s producer.
Winner: The Tiger of the East by Jorge Acevedo Carrasco (Chile, Mexico) – Chile Showcase
Two sessions of marketing consultancy with Alphapanda team members + the creation of an artwork for the film.
Winner: Two Mountains Weighing Down My Chest by Viv Li (Germany, Netherlands) – Docs by the Sea Showcase
A strategic impact workshop + an impact pitching coaching session, given by the Think-Film Impact Production team.
Winner: My Rebel Heart by Ida Kat Balslev (Denmark, Palestine) – Palestine Showcase
Three 2-hour long legal support consultations with Anna Lisa Putortì and Diana Rulli, entertainment lawyers & film legal experts.
Winner: I Heard the Calling: The Return of the Tupinambá Cloak by Myrza Muniz, Robson Dias, Célia Tupinambá (Brazil, France) – Brazil Showcase
Free one-year memberships for the team, with all associated benefits, and a rough cut consultation with one of DAE’s senior advisors.
Winner: The Flight of the Stork by Soumaya Hidalgo Djahdou (Spain, Qatar) – Spain Showcase
