The 23rd edition of the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, CPH:DOX, concluded its main competitive programming in the Danish capital on Friday, March 22, celebrating a diverse array of cinematic achievements before officially wrapping up on Sunday, March 24. The prestigious DOX:Award, the festival’s highest honor, was bestowed upon Dongnan Chen’s Whispers in May, a compelling narrative blending documentary and improvisational elements to explore the transition from girlhood to womanhood in China. This year’s festival once again underscored CPH:DOX’s reputation as a pivotal platform for groundbreaking documentary filmmaking, drawing thousands of submissions and showcasing a rich tapestry of global stories.
A Beacon for Documentary Innovation: CPH:DOX’s Enduring Legacy
CPH:DOX has, since its inception, established itself as one of the most significant documentary film festivals globally, renowned for its commitment to artistic excellence, experimental approaches, and socially relevant narratives. Founded in 2003, the festival has consistently pushed the boundaries of documentary filmmaking, challenging conventional forms and fostering a vibrant discourse around contemporary issues. Its programming spans a wide spectrum, from traditional observational documentaries to avant-garde cinematic experiments, interactive installations, and investigative journalism projects. Each year, CPH:DOX attracts a substantial international audience, including filmmakers, industry professionals, critics, and general cinephiles, solidifying Copenhagen’s status as a vital hub for documentary cinema.
The festival’s mission extends beyond mere screenings; it aims to engage, provoke, and inspire, fostering critical thinking and promoting social change through the power of visual storytelling. By offering various competition categories and substantial prize money, CPH:DOX not only recognizes outstanding talent but also provides crucial support for filmmakers, enabling them to continue their important work. This year’s edition, the 23rd in its history, continued this tradition, presenting a meticulously curated selection of films that resonated with urgency and artistic vision.
Festival Highlights and Scope of Competition
The 2024 festival’s international competition boasted an impressive lineup of 74 films, meticulously selected from thousands of global submissions. This highly competitive selection included a remarkable 53 world premieres, 17 international premieres, and four European debuts, emphasizing CPH:DOX’s role in introducing fresh voices and perspectives to the global stage. The sheer volume and geographical breadth of the submissions highlight the festival’s widespread appeal and its significance as a launchpad for new documentary works.
Throughout its duration, CPH:DOX hosted numerous screenings, industry events, debates, and masterclasses, creating a dynamic environment for exchange and collaboration. The festival is not just a showcase but a vital ecosystem for the documentary community, facilitating networking opportunities and fostering the next generation of filmmakers. The competitive categories are designed to recognize different facets of documentary excellence, from artistic innovation to investigative depth and human rights advocacy.
DOX:Award: ‘Whispers in May’ Takes Top Honors
The centerpiece of the CPH:DOX awards ceremony was the DOX:Award, sponsored by Politiken Fonden and accompanied by a prize of €10,000. This year, the top prize was awarded to Dongnan Chen’s Whispers in May. The film, a co-production across Hong Kong, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden, captivated the jury with its unique blend of documentary and improvisational storytelling. It delves into the lives of three young girls in China, focusing on a pivotal moment when one experiences her first menstruation, symbolizing the profound transition from childhood to womanhood.
The jury’s statement lauded Chen’s ability to craft a "modern-day fairytale" that navigates the complexities of this personal journey against a backdrop of societal and environmental elements, noting how the director "succeeded in sharing a modern-day fairytale that heeds monsters and factories, alike." They were particularly "charmed by a young girl’s journey," highlighting the film’s intimate portrayal and its universal resonance.
A special mention in the DOX:Award category was given to Nolwenn Hervé’s The Cord, a French world premiere offering a poignant portrait of a "maternity warrior" in Venezuela. The jury commended Hervé for her "unforgettable debut," recognizing the film’s powerful depiction of resilience and dedication in challenging circumstances.
FIPRESCI Award: ‘Amazomania’ Explores Colonial Legacy
A new addition to the CPH:DOX awards, the FIPRESCI Award, presented by the International Federation of Film Critics, marked its debut this year. This distinction was awarded to Nathan Grossman’s Amazomania, a co-production from Sweden, Denmark, and France. The film offers a critical reexamination of a decades-old film documenting the initial contact between a "white man" and the indigenous Korubo tribe in Brazil. It provocatively questions the "white man’s gaze" and the complex dynamics inherent in such encounters.
The FIPRESCI jury recognized Amazomania for its "contemporary and thought-provoking perspective on an intrusive culture clash." Their statement emphasized the film’s exploration of "the loss of innocence, the complex colonial legacy of the human gaze, and the devastating impact of capitalism." The jury praised its capacity to revisit and reexamine historical imagery, suggesting its potential for "relearning" in an era saturated with visual content. This award highlights the festival’s commitment to films that engage with crucial historical and ethical questions.
F:ACT Award: ‘Just Look Up’ Champions Climate Activism
The F:ACT Award, bridging filmmaking with investigative journalism, recognizes films that tackle pressing societal issues with journalistic rigor. Supported by International Media Support (IMS) and the Danish Union of Journalists with a prize of €5,000, this year’s award went to Emma Wall and Betsy Hershey’s Just Look Up. The documentary, a United States and Danish co-production, presents an intimate portrait of young climate activist Michael Greenberg, the dynamic founder and leader of the Climate Defiance movement.
The jury’s statement lauded Just Look Up for addressing "a subject that couldn’t be more urgent and important, but is often overlooked." They commended the film’s ability to be "funny, uplifting and even hopeful," creating a "well-crafted, beautifully observed story about a group of young people trying to save the world from self-inflicted destruction."
A special mention in the F:ACT category was given to Stephen Maing and Eric Daniel Metzgar’s The Great Experiment, an international premiere from the United States and Mexico. Described as "a cinematic time capsule capturing a volatile era in American history and offering an intimate portrait of democracy in crisis," the film was praised by the jury as a "remarkable artistic work capturing a historic turning point in the political landscape, affecting all of us." They noted its "cinematic precision and emotional depth" in laying bare the "profound divides within American society."
NORDIC:DOX Award: ‘The Secret Reading Club of Kabul’ Honors Resilience
The NORDIC:DOX Award celebrates outstanding documentaries from the Nordic region, accompanied by a €5,000 prize. The winner for this edition was Shakiba Adil and Elina Hirvonen’s The Secret Reading Club of Kabul, a Finnish and Norwegian co-production. The film chronicles the courageous stories of young Afghan women who, inspired by Anne Frank, defy the Taliban regime by forming a clandestine reading club.
The jury’s powerful statement underscored the film’s vital importance: "Through great precision and resilience, the directors create an echo chamber where the voices of silenced children can circulate freely." They emphasized how the film "exposes the brutal dismantling of women’s rights under an authoritarian regime," affirming "the power of documentary cinema to make injustice visible and the voice of the oppressed heard."
Another Nordic gem, Homesick (Hjemsøgt), the second feature documentary from director Taekyung Tanja Inwol Sørensen (known for A Colombian Family), received a special mention in this category. This Danish, South Korean, and Finnish co-production explores themes of family and belonging through the personal lens of the filmmaker, a South Korean adoptee who grew up in Denmark.
NEXT:WAVE Award: Spotlighting Emerging Talents
The NEXT:WAVE Award, with its €5,000 prize, is dedicated to spotlighting emerging filmmakers and innovative cinematic currents. This year’s winner was Irene Bartholomé’s Dream of Another Summer, a Spanish and Lebanese co-production. The film uses the city of Beirut as its epicenter, embarking on a meditative journey that explores the "scars of the past, the awareness of the present, and the dreams of the future."
The jury praised the film for its "rigorous formal approach and a conscious gaze," which immerses viewers "in a suspended space." They highlighted its ability to transcend the local narrative, becoming "an existential reflection on the fragility of the human condition."
A special mention was given to Tom Adjibi’s This is Not a French Film, a Belgian and French co-production. The jury was "surprised from beginning to end with its playful form and charming narrative," appreciating how it unfolds "in the intersection of fiction and documentary." The film was commended for its humorous and disarming exploration of "the complexity of identity and representation" within the Belgian film industry.
HUMAN:RIGHTS Award: Documenting Global Struggles
Sponsored by the Danish Institute for Human Rights with a €5,000 prize, the HUMAN:RIGHTS Competition focuses on films that champion human rights and shed light on critical global issues. The winner was Maryam Ebrahimi’s The Phantom Pain of Rojava, a Swedish and Norwegian co-production. The film lyrically portrays the unbreakable bond among a group of brave, predominantly women fighters who find beauty and companionship in their struggle.
The jury’s statement highlighted the film’s artistry and its profound message: "The filmmaker weaves together the current fights for not only the land, but also for the women who inhabit the land." They commended Ebrahimi for achieving "the perfect balance between their continued precariousness and their ongoing model of dignity and dedication to their cause," concluding with a powerful nod to the film’s ethos: "So, in the spirit of the film — women, life, freedom — the award goes to Maryam Embrahimi."
A special mention in this category went to Poh Si Teng’s American Doctor, an international premiere from the United States, Palestine, Malaysia, and Denmark. The jury recognized it as "an urgent account of a human rights violation that is still unfolding in front of our eyes," acknowledging its focus on "the systematic killing of medical professionals and children in Gaza and its depiction of the lasting effects on those who work to ease the suffering of the victims."
NEW:VISION Award: Pushing Cinematic Boundaries
The NEW:VISION Award, with a €5,000 prize, celebrates artists’ films and boundary-pushing cinematic experiments. This year’s winner was Rico Wong’s Compact Disc, a Hong Kong and United Kingdom co-production. The film offers a deeply moving and intimate portrayal of young friends who revisit their involvement in recent protests, using low-fidelity technologies to collectively reassemble their fragmented memories.
The jury praised the film’s innovative approach, noting its "experimental use of low-tech pixelated media and genuine storytelling that allow for a range of emotions to surface without glossing over or drawing cathartic closure." They highlighted how the film "turns its blurry images back on its subjects: mirroring, animating, layering — finding in the act of recollection not just a record of what was endured but a way of carrying it forward together."
Tulapop Saenjaroen’s Local Sensations, a European premiere from Thailand, received a special mention. The jury described it as "a genuinely surprising and beautifully crafted cinematic essay on how to avoid becoming a shrine," commending its unique blend of black-and-white 16mm, digital footage, and animation to reimagine the monument as "something fluid and unfixed."
INTER:ACTIVE EXHIBITION AWARD: Immersive Storytelling
CPH:DOX also recognized excellence in immersive projects with the INTER:ACTIVE EXHIBITION AWARD, granting a DKK 10,000 (approximately $1,550) cash prize. The winner was Sacha Wares’ Inside: The Childhood of an Artist, a multisensory VR experience and international premiere from the United Kingdom. This work was lauded for its powerful demonstration of how VR can evoke a deeply human experience, leaving viewers with a lingering sense of reflection.
The jury’s extensive statement detailed the experience: "The simplicity of its imagery — almost naïve in tone — echoes the fragility of childhood memory, while gradually allowing an idyllic atmosphere to take on subtle undertones of unease." They highlighted the multisensory elements, including subtle scents, and the narrative’s grounding in the story of Judith Scott, an artist with Down Syndrome whose life was transformed by her sister’s advocacy. The experience was praised for being "sensory, crafted and poetic, letting us experience a fragile memory."
A special mention was given to Mads Damsbo and Laurits Flensted-Jensen’s Dark Rooms, an immersive VR experience and Danish premiere from Denmark, Germany, and Taiwan. The jury commended Dark Rooms for its courageous exploration of sexual awakening through real stories, challenging boundaries and bringing taboos into the open. They declared it "a new standard… for what VR can achieve as an artistic and narrative medium," being "both technically impressive and artistically ambitious."
Anticipation for the Audience Award
While the main jury awards have been unveiled, the festival still holds one more significant announcement. The Audience Award, generously sponsored by the Danish public service broadcaster DR with a prize of €10,000, is slated to be announced on March 26. This award reflects the public’s choice and often highlights films that resonate broadly with festivalgoers, adding another layer of recognition to the diverse program.
Broader Impact and Future Implications
The 23rd edition of CPH:DOX reaffirmed its vital role in the global documentary landscape. The themes explored by this year’s winning films — from intimate narratives of identity and coming-of-age to urgent calls for climate action, human rights advocacy, and critical examinations of colonial legacies — reflect the pressing concerns of our contemporary world. The festival not only showcases cinematic artistry but also acts as a crucial platform for dialogue, fostering awareness and encouraging engagement with complex societal issues.
The recognition of filmmakers from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds, alongside the emphasis on innovative forms and technologies like VR, signals CPH:DOX’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of documentary as both an art form and a tool for social change. These awards will undoubtedly elevate the profiles of the winning filmmakers and their works, ensuring broader international distribution and impact. As the festival officially concludes, its influence will continue to reverberate, inspiring new narratives and challenging audiences worldwide to see the world through a more critical and empathetic lens.
