Factual

The eighth edition of FIPADOC, the international documentary film festival held in Biarritz, officially came to a close on Friday, 30 January 2026, unveiling a rich and politically resonant list of award winners. Once again, the festival confirmed its role as a key European platform for auteur-driven documentaries, social impact storytelling, and innovative non-fiction forms.

The Grand Prix for International Documentary was awarded to Redlight to Limelight by Bipuljit Basu (India, Finland & Latvia), produced by Unshaides Productions. Praised by the jury for its humanist vision, the film was recognised as a powerful reminder of cinema’s ability to rebuild communities and inspire social change. The award is endowed with €5,000 by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region.

In the French competition, The Strike by Gabrielle Stemmer received the Grand Prix for French Documentary. Produced by Blue Monday Productions, the film was described by the jury as “a radical and joyful experiment” and a bold political statement on freedom. The prize, endowed with €5,000 by the City of Biarritz, underlined the festival’s commitment to formally daring national works.

Music took centre stage with The Orchestra by Philippe Beziat winning the Grand Prix for Musical Documentary. The jury highlighted the film’s refined analysis of the human and artistic mechanisms behind a symphony orchestra, filmed with empathy and narrative precision. The award carries a €5,000 endowment.
The Grand Prix Impact Documentary – Banque Populaire went to An Eye for an Eye by Tanaz Eshaghian and Farzad Jafari (Iran, France, Denmark, USA). The jury commended the film for its unflinching look at the death penalty and women’s rights, recognising its ability to humanise complex legal and ethical dilemmas. The prize includes €10,000, split between a licence fee and a cash award to the directors.

The Human Rights in Motion Award was awarded to Trade Secret by Abraham Joffe (Australia, United Kingdom). The film exposes contradictions within global environmental protection systems, denouncing secrecy and double standards. The award is endowed with €5,000 by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The INA-Madelen Audience Award went to The Extraordinary Journey of Mister Jack by Sarah Moon Howe (Belgium, France), selected by public vote and endowed with €5,000.
In the immersive category, Impulse: Playing With Reality by May Abdalla and Barry Gene Murphy won the Smart Biarritz Immersive Award, thanks to its innovative use of interactive technologies to explore neurodivergence, with narration by Tilda Swinton. The prize carries €3,000.
The Short Film Award was awarded to What Does the Mud Whisper? by Dea Tcholokava (Georgia), a poetic and sensory work rooted in Georgian folklore and ancestral rituals.

Emerging voices were strongly represented. Drawn in Water by Heta Jokinen (Finland) won the New Talent Award, while Elysian Fields by Anna-Maria Dutoit received the Tënk Award for young creators.
The Michel Mitrani Discovery Award went to Lamb of God by Massimiliano Camaiti (Italy), praised for its rigorous cinematic language and its dialogue between the sacred and the profane.
Finally, the Coup de Cœur dans les Murs Award, decided by a jury of inmates, was awarded to Maïmouna, the Voice of the 9-3 by Anouk Burel and Antonin Boutinard Rouelle, celebrating documentary cinema as a mirror of shared humanity.