The documentary films AMERICAN PROMISE, directed by Michèle Stephenson and Joe Brewster, BLACKFISH, directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, GRANITO: HOW TO NAIL A DICTATOR, directed by Pamela Yates, THE HOUSE I LIVE IN, directed by Eugene Jarecki and NO FIRE ZONE, directed by Callum Macrae have been selected as the winners of the 4th BRITDOC Impact Award. The BRITDOC Impact Award celebrates the documentary films that have made the greatest impact on society. Each film receives $15,000 to reward their extraordinary commitment, passion and achievements in using storytelling to provoke change.
The winning films and their champions:
AMERICAN PROMISE, Dir. Michèle Stephenson and Joe Brewster (@PromiseFilm)
The journey of two African American families pursuing the promise of opportunity through the education of their sons. A vital contribution in bridging the educational achievement gap in America.
“These filmmakers gave 13 years, and their childrens school years to this film. And it pays off. American Promise has made an invaluable contribution to closing the racial achievement gap” – Russell Simmons, co-founder Def Jam Records
BLACKFISH, Dir. Gabriela Cowperthwaite (@blackfishmovie)
Blackfish is an expose of the controversial captivity of orcas, and its dangers for both humans and whales. From protests to petitions, the film provoked a huge backlash against SeaWorld known as the ‘Blackfish Effect’.
“Seeing the work that Blackfish has done by shining a light on the treatment of orcas in captivity gives me incredible faith for the part that documentaries can play in addressing social and environmental injustice in the future.” – Susan Sarandon, actor and activist
GRANITO: HOW TO NAIL A DICTATOR, Dir. Pamela Yates (@skylightpix)
Telling the extraordinary story of how a film, aiding a new generation of human rights activists, helped tip the scales of justice in Guatemala. In the conviction of a dictator, Granito is a testament to the power of documentary film
“Granito serves as a vital reminder that courageous documentary filmmakers can profoundly impact the cause of justice in the world. This film helped the Maya people of Guatemala hold the perpetrators of their genocide accountable. It poignantly portrays their suffering, their resistance and their hope for the future.” – Amy Goodman, Host & Executive Producer, Democracy Now!
THE HOUSE I LIVE IN, Dir. Eugene Jarecki (@drugwarmovie)
Exploring the human rights implications of the War on Drugs – the longest conflict in US history, and the least winnable. Could this be the beginning of the end for the ‘war on drugs’?
“The team continues to seek ways the film can help more fundamentally shift the national conversation away from seeing drug control as a criminal justice issue to seeing it as a matter of public health” – Danny Glover, actor and activist
NO FIRE ZONE, Dir. Callum Macrae (@nofirezonemovie)
The shocking proof of secret war crimes committed during the final bloody months of the Sri Lankan Civil War. Holding the Sri Lankan government accountable for human rights violations on an epic scale.
“This film is the only film that gives me faith in journalism. It’s not only the most important account of what happened to the Tamils, it’s actually become part of the fabric of their history” – M.I.A, musician and artist
This year sees the introduction of the #NetflixHi5 Award; recognising the winning film that receives the highest number of support tweets in the days following the announcement.
Twitter followers of #britdocimpact are invited to participate in deciding which of the five winners receive an additional $5,000 prize. It will be awarded to the film team that gets the most support tweets in the days following the announcement. Tweets with #NetflixHi5 and the films twitter handle will be counted up until Midnight PST on Monday 24th November.
The #NetflixHi5 will be announced on on Tuesday 25th November.
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