On the occasion of its second edition, the Doxumentale Festival has once again honored exceptional works in film, literature, audio, and immersive media that challenge, inspire, and deepen our understanding of the world. From powerful documentaries that expose injustice to immersive VR experiences and groundbreaking non-fiction books, this year’s award winners stand out for their artistic vision and social impact.
What moves us, what makes things visible and who takes a stand – at tonight's awards ceremony of the 2nd Doxumentale at silent green, exceptional cinematic, literary, auditory, and immersive works will be honored for shaping social discourse and reflecting our reality.
It is worth rising up against systemic obstacles and standing up for one's rights. This is the powerful and encouraging message of THE AGE OF WATER by Alfredo and Isabel Alcántara, which will receive the award for Best Documentary this evening at 6:30 PM at silent green. The film, celebrating its European premiere at the festival, follows the discovery of radioactive contamination in the water supply of a Mexican community after the deaths of three girls – and the activism of six mothers fighting for truth and justice.
The jury, composed of Ana Castañosa Bielsa, director of the Impact Days, FIFDH – International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights of Geneva), cultural program manager Alexandra Dorisca, director Afsaneh Salari, and director Lars Kraume, explained their decision as follows: "We were moved by the grand beauty, the poetry and impact of the macro against the gigantic. It is a film that reads like a love letter to what make us human: solidarity and mutual empowerment."
The jury also awarded Special Mentions to THE THIRD ACT by Tadashi Nakamura and THE DIALOGUE POLICE by Susanna Edwards. The Audience Award goes to IM OSTEN WAS NEUES (CHANGING SIDES) by Loraine Blumenthal, which is expected to hit German cinemas later this year – and celebrated its sold-out Berlin premiere at Kant Kino. A second sold-out screening is taking place in parallel to the award ceremony at the Skatehalle in the RAW district.
Tonight's ceremony also celebrates other awardees recognized for their bold, innovative approaches to content and storytelling. Tara Paighambari (winner of the 1st Doxumentale Non-Fiction Book Prize for Café der Freiheit) and Mario Husten of Berlin WorX and the Simonović Foundation present the award for Best Non-Fiction Book to Berauscht der Sinne beraubt: Eine Geschichte der Ekstase by Racha Kirakosian – a cultural history of human ecstasy: "With analytical clarity and historical depth, she illuminates the ground beneath our notions of ecstacy." The Best Podcast Award goes to Behind Science, the successful "true science" podcast by Marie Eickhoff and Luisa Pfeiffenschneider. The jury – consisting of media educator and filmmaker Lisa-Marie Gotsche, journalist and podcaster Judith Gridl, voice coach and speaker Susanne Hauf, and screenwriter and PodFest Berlin founder Daniel Stern – praised the show for presenting "complex topics from mathematics and statistics in a relaxed, entertaining, and yet critical manner." The VX Jury, which comprised Julia Bruton (VR Women), Ahmed Gamal (Resolution Games) and Oliver Proske ("Nico and the Navigators"), also named a winning project: Soul Paint by Sarah Ticho and Niki Smit, awarded for its potential to transforming "storytelling into story-experiencing." Two Special Mentions were also given to Ancestral Secret by María José Díaz and Francisca Silva, and Nana Lou by Isabelle Andreani.
THE AGE OF WATER, THE THIRD ACT and THE DIALOGUE POLICE will be screened at least once more during the remainder of the festival.
The 2nd Doxumentale already looks back on nine successful festival days, with many sold-out screenings, and numerous filmmakers in attendance. Until June 22, Berliners can continue to explore the wide range of documentary storytelling at neighborhood cinemas and beloved local venues, including the D'Lounges – which this year often spotlight overlooked personalities – taking place in the coming days at Kunsthaus Dahlem, Dragonerareal, Nomadenkino, and Kater Blau.
The festival will close with the world premiere of the director's cut of Sophie Sonntag's BLAUES LICHT.
Selected films from the program will be available to stream online until June 30.
Here's the list of all Doxumentale winners including jury statements
Best Documentary
THE AGE OF WATER by Alfredo and Isabel Alcántara (main prize)
We were moved by the grand beauty, the poetry and impact of the macro against the gigantic. It is a film that reads like a love letter to what make us human: solidarity and mutual empowerment. A tale of David versus Goliath demonstrating the brave leap from victimisation to activism through the respectful portrayal of the courageous protagonists. Uncovering the disinformation and cover-up of what affects us all, it's a beautiful story of resilience and resistance for the preservation of the future generations.
THE THIRD ACT by Tadashi Nakamura (special mention)
Personal and eloquently universal, this tale of cross-generational trauma and how it can be transformed is a tender portrayal of three generations. It's the story of two journeys of self-discovery on the tumultuous path of self-acceptance. This intimate family movie touched us by its depiction of the end of our journey as human beings that all of us will have to reconcile with when the time comes.
THE DIALOGUE POLICE by Susanna Edwards (special mention)
A simple yet powerful story that takes us to the heart of an institution known for its often hermetic nature. With unprecedented access to its protagonists and an honest approach, the director invites us to reflect on essential topics such as freedom of speech and the protection of democratic process and its limitations.
Best Non-Fiction Book
Berauscht der Sinne beraubt: Eine Geschichte der Ekstase by Racha Kirakosian
This book seduces upon second glance. Its title flirts—with expectations, perhaps even with clichés. But what the author unfolds is far from fleeting ecstasy. There is no escape from reality here, but rather a sharp-eyed descent into the very foundation of rapture and the role of it throughout history. With analytical clarity and historical depth, she illuminates the ground beneath our notions of ecstacy. Her language is precise yet never dry—on the contrary, it opens eyes and awakens the senses without ever losing its head. A book that does not pander, but remains elegantly defiant. A book that thinks—and invites us to think with it. The Jury was unanioumus: This book masterfully bridges scholarly depth and narrative suspense, never losing the reader in complexity—and always with a touch of poetry.
Best Podcast
Behind Science by Marie Eickhoff and Luisa Pfeiffenschneider
Behind Science takes us on a journey into the world of numbers – smart, bold, and socially relevant. The two hosts present complex topics from mathematics and statistics in a relaxed, entertaining, and yet critical manner. With clear voices, a concise and engaging conversational style, and excellent technical execution, they deliver science communication that resonates and makes an impact. This podcast proves: thorough research, real storytelling, and a passion for sharing knowledge can bring even the driest numbers to life. Congratulations to Marie Eickhoff and Luisa Pfeiffenschneider!
Best VX
Soul Paint by Sarah Ticho and Niki Smit (main prize)
Soul Paint invites you to explore your emotional story through creativity. By engaging with your inner world, a narrative unfolds—your own. This is only possible in VR, where your creation becomes a mirror of yourself. In that reflection, new understandings of your emotions begin to form. The playful yet profound exchange with your emotional flow can shift your reality beyond the experience itself. Soul Paint expands what VR can be—transforming storytelling into story-experiencing. You can return anytime and, if you choose, leave your story behind to exist forever. In this space, there's no fixed beginning, middle, or end—only infinite possibility.
About the Doxumentale
The Doxumentale (12–22 June 2025) is a Berlin-based festival for documentary formats that promotes films, new media, non-fiction books, and podcasts. It offers a platform for filmmakers, journalists, authors, artists, scholars, and audiences to meet and collaborate.
From 12 to 15 June, the D'Hub industry programme will take place alongside the main programme, offering the film sector new ideas in panels, workshops, and networking events. One highlight will be The Good Media Pitch, Germany's first film and impact programme, which will connect selected projects with experts from civil society to foster potential partnerships.
The festival and industry programme receive significant support from the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg.
Press Contact
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me regarding possible interview requests, screeners or questions. You can reach me via ketzscher@posteo.de or +4917620730333.
About The Good Media Network
The Doxumentale is being organized by The Good Media Network, an initiative that supports outstanding films and media projects striving for a fairer, more sustainable, and more inspiring world.
