Biarritz, January 31, 2025 – The closing ceremony of the seventh Fipadoc International Documentary Festival took place this evening in Biarritz, celebrating some of the most powerful and thought-provoking documentaries of the year. Prestigious awards were presented to outstanding filmmakers across various categories, highlighting exceptional storytelling, impactful themes, and cinematic excellence.
Grand Prix for International Documentary
Winner: Black Box (Black Box Diaries) by Shiori Itô (Japan)
The jury, composed of Nicolas Philibert, Mila Turajlić, and Mandisa Zitha, praised Itô’s courageous and deeply personal narrative exposing the struggles of seeking justice in Japan. The film, awarded €5,000 by the Nouvelle Aquitaine region, captivated audiences with its raw sincerity and resilience.
Grand Prix for French Documentary
Winner: Bosco Grande by Giuseppe Schillaci (France – Italy)
Schillaci’s film, depicting the complex world of a tattoo artist in Palermo, impressed the jury—Lofti Achour, Lucile Commeaux, and Claus Drexel—with its striking visuals and nuanced storytelling. The award was endowed with €5,000 by the City of Biarritz.
Grand Prix for Musical Documentary
Winner: Soundtrack to a Coup d’État by Johan Gimonprez (Belgium, France & Netherlands)
The jury, including Stéphane Davet, Nicholas McRoberts, and Priscilla Pizzato, commended the film’s exploration of music’s role in political struggles, particularly through the lens of jazz artists and the legacy of Patrice Lumumba. The winner received €5,000.
Grand Prix Impact Documentary
Winner: Yintah by Jennifer Wickham, Brenda Michell & Michael Toledano (Canada)
Honored for its powerful portrayal of the Witsuwit’en people’s resistance against environmental exploitation, Yintah was awarded €10,000 by La Cinémathèque du documentaire and the Indarra Fund. The jury included Irène Challand, Sylvain Louvet, and Olivier Saby.
Human Rights in Motion Award
Winner: Tata by Lina Vdovîi & Radu Ciorniciuc (Romania, Germany & Netherlands)
Awarded €5,000 by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, this documentary sheds light on domestic violence and labor exploitation in Europe. The jury praised its emotional depth and powerful call for social change.
INA-madelen Audience Award
Winner: Golo et Ritchie by Martin Fougerol & Ahmed Hamidi (France)
Voted best by the Biarritz audience, this film won €5,000, sponsored by the INA-madelen platform.
SMART Award
Winner: Human Violins by Ioana Mischie (Romania, France)
Recognized for its artistic originality, this digital documentary won €3,000 from the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department.
Short Film Award
Winner: Exit Through the Cuckoo’s Nest by Nikola Ilić (Switzerland)
The jury, impressed by its storytelling and visual style, awarded the film €3,000.
CINÉ+ Award
Winner: The Flats by Alessandra Celesia (France, Belgium, Ireland & United Kingdom)
This film, depicting life in a Belfast neighborhood, secured a €15,000 theatrical release deal with Ciné+.
SACEM Award for Original Score
Winner: The Watchman by Lou du Pontavice & Victoire Bonin Grais (France, Belgium)
Composer Camille El Bacha’s exceptional score was recognized for its narrative contribution.
Young Europeans Jury Award
Winner: Murmuring Hearts by Vytautas Puidokas (Lithuania, France & Norway)
Awarded €3,000, this film explored themes of identity and violence with poetic imagery.
New Talent Award
Winner: Confession by Rebeka Bizubová (Slovakia)
The jury lauded this powerful and intimate documentary, awarding it €3,000.
PFDM Award
Winner: Sudan, Remember Us by Hind Meddeb (France, Qatar & Tunisia)
Awarded €1,000, this film documents the Sudanese youth’s fight for freedom.
Tënk Award
Winner: May It Last by Louise Chauchat (France)
The filmmaker received €500 and a four-month streaming contract with Tënk.
Michel Mitrani Discovery Award
Winner: Black Box by Shiori Itô (Japan)
Recognized for its courageous storytelling, this film marks the emergence of a significant new voice in documentary filmmaking.
Fipadoc 2025 once again proved to be a platform for groundbreaking and socially relevant documentaries. The festival’s recognition of diverse storytelling underscores the power of cinema to inspire, inform, and drive change.
