We are excited to announce the 2025 DOK Industry award winners. 12 prizes were presented to projects across three DOK Industry formats. Huge congratulations to the winning teams and big thanks to our award partners!
DOK Co-Pro Market
At the DOK Co-Pro Market, a total of seven awards were handed out. The Saxon Award for the Best Documentary Project by a Female Director, sponsored by the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism (SMWK) and endowed with 5,000 euros, went to “nava mamă” by Ana Vijdea.
The Deutsche Welle Award, carrying prize money of 1,500 euros, went to Olivia Yao’s “Between Three Waters”.
“The Chef Suffragette” by Magdalena Szymków received the IMAGO Archive Award, which comes with 1,500 euros and archive material worth 500 euros.
The Jacob Burns Film Centre Residency Award went to “Sense and Sensibility” by Hanna Nordenswan. The two- to four-week residency includes a 500-dollar weekly stipend, travel support, housing, and access to the JBFC arthouse cinema and Media Arts Lab with editing, audio, animation, and screening facilities.
Hazal Hanquet’s “My Aunties” received the No Nation Films Fellowship Award, offered to film teams around the world working in vulnerable conditions and facing challenges. The six-month fellowship includes an all-encompassing mentorship and consultancy package customised to best support the film team.
The Unifrance Doc Award was presented to “Akal” by Basma Rkioui. The winning project will receive subtitling services sponsored by TitraFilm and a Unifrance membership for its French producer.
Pary El-Qalqili’s “Speak Image, Speak” took home the Willow Avocats Consultations Award, which comes with two tailored consultations on navigating international collaborations with a specialist in entertainment and film law.
DOK Short n’ Sweet
At DOK Short n’ Sweet, a total of four prizes were presented. The Square Eyes Festival Consultation Award went to “LOVEBIRD” by Ferdinand Ehrhardt. Square Eyes will provide the project with a tailor-made consultation on festival strategy.
Kvet Nguyễn’s “Limits to Our Pain” scooped the Cut Through the NOISE Award. The winning team will receive a mentoring session from NOISE Film & TV that offers practical guidance on effectively preparing the short film it for festivals, premieres, and press.
Documentary Association of Europe (DAE) presented the DAE Talent Encouragement Award to Kvet Nguyễn’s “Limits to Our Pain”, which comes with a tailor-made mentoring session with a DAE senior consultant.
“LOVEBIRD” by Ferdinand Ehrhardt picked up the Ohrfilm Award, along with comprehensive music support services for the short documentary film.
DOK Preview Germany
At DOK Preview Germany, D-Facto Motion presented the D-Facto Motion Works-in-Progress Prize to “Finding Connection” by Florian Karner, providing the winning project with post-production services worth 10,000 €.
