Fifteen documentary films have been shortlisted for the inaugural Henry Awards for Public Interest Documentary, with three films from Africa making the cut.
The event is organised by the Documentary Film in the Public Interest Initiative, a programme by the Shorenstein Center, a Harvard Kennedy School of Government research centre.
The three African semifinalists are Coconut Head Generation from Nigeria-France directed by Alain Kassanda, Four Daughters from Tunisia-France-Germany-Saudi Arabia directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, and Milisuthando from South Africa-Colombia directed by Milisuthando Bongela.
The Henry Awards programme is administered by the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, with financial support provided by Linda and John Henry. The winner of the grand prize will receive $100,000, with four finalists also receiving cash prizes. Winners will be announced in April.
Statement from organisers
According to Nancy Gibbs, Director of the Shorenstein Center, “We are living through historic shifts in where, how, and from whom people get the information that shapes their understanding of the world. At such a moment, when ‘truth’ is often reduced to a cage match between fact and faith, documentary film serves as a vital witness to the public interest. The Henry Awards aim to elevate and celebrate films that play a critical role in an information ecosystem that serves as a foundation for a free society.”
Sara Archambault, Director of the Documentary Film in the Public Interest Initiative, added: “At a time when major studios and streaming platforms are prioritising documentary as entertainment or commerce, the Henry Awards seek to champion the essential work of documentaries that elevate public understanding. Anchored by core values like ethical practice, investigative excellence, and artistic integrity, this award seeks to spotlight films and film teams committed to contributing to the common good through their craft.”
Coconut Head Generation, Four Daughters, and Milisuthando are selected alongside other films from different parts of the world, including The Stroll from the United States, If we Burn from Hong Kong, and Youth (Spring) from France, Luxemburg, Netherlands, amongst others.
Full list of the 15 semifinalists for the 2025 Henry Awards for Public Interest Documentary:
- ANHELL69 | Director: Theo Montoya; Producers: Bianca Oana, David Hurst, Juan P. Castrillón, Theo Montoya | Colombia, Romania, France, Germany
- ANOTHER BODY | Directors: Sophie Compton & Reuben Hamlyn; Producers: Elizabeth Woodward, Sophie Compton, Reuben Hamlyn | United States, United Kingdom
- COCONUT HEAD GENERATION | Director: Alain Kassanda; Producers: Emilie Guitard, Alain Kassanda | France, Nigeria
- FOUR DAUGHTERS | Director: Kaouther Ben Hania; Producers: Nadim Cheikhrouha with Habib Attia, Thanassis Karathanos, Martin Hampel | Tunisia, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia
- HOLLYWOODGATE | Director: Ibrahim Nash’at; Producers: Talal Derki, Odessa Rae, Shane Boris | Germany, United States
- IF WE BURN | Directors: James Leong & Lynn Lee; Producers: James Leong, Lynn Lee | Hong Kong
- KOKOMO CITY | Director: D. Smith; Producers: D. Smith, Harris Doran, Bill Butler | United States
- MILISUTHANDO | Director: Milisuthando Bongela; Producers: Marion Isaacs, Milisuthando Bongela | South Africa, Colombia
- Q | Director: Jude Chehab; Producers: Jude Chehab, Fahd Ahmed | United States, Lebanon
- QUEENDOM | Director: Agniia Galdanova; Producers: Igor Myakotin, Agniia Galdanova | France, United States
- THE STROLL | Directors: Kristen Lovell & Zackary Drucker; Producer: Matt Wolf | United States
- THREE PROMISES | Director: Yousef Srouji; Producer: Marielle Olentine | Palestine, United States
- WHILE WE WATCHED | Director: Vinay Shukla; Producers: Vinay Shukla, Luke W Moody, Khushboo Ranka | India, United Kingdom
- YOUR FAT FRIEND | Director: Jeanie Finlay; Producer: Jeanie Finlay | United Kingdom, United States
- YOUTH (SPRING) | Director: Wang Bing; Producers: Sonia Buchman, Mao Hui, Nicolas R. De La Mothe, Vincent Wang | France, Luxemburg, Netherlands
