The Grand Jury Prize for International Competition at Sheffield DocFest has been awarded to “At the Door of the House, Who Will Come Knocking,” marking the feature directorial debut of Maja Novaković from Bosnia-Herzegovina.
An emotional Novaković accepted the award during a ceremony on Sunday evening, which also saw accolades for “The Boy and the Suit of Lights” and “No Other Land,” the latter having previously won the top documentary prize at the Berlin Film Festival.
“Thank you to my small but very brave film crew,” Novaković said, visibly moved. “I don’t know what to say. I’m so happy and thrilled and, must admit, confused. I need a brandy.”
The film, “At the Door of the House, Who Will Come Knocking,” centers on an aging man named Emin and his equine companion, described as “his only true confidant.” The jurors praised the film for its cinematic excellence, noting how the director slowly unveils a story of isolation and trauma set against a backdrop of beauty and deep historical scars. They called Novaković an emerging director to watch.
In addition to Novaković’s win, “The Boy and the Suit of Lights” took home the Grand Jury Award for the International First Feature. Directed by Inma De Reyes, the film follows Borja, a boy in a small Spanish town encouraged by his grandfather to pursue bullfighting. De Reyes has described the film as a reflection of Borja’s internal struggle between familial expectations and his own personality, capturing his journey to adulthood.
The Tim Hetherington Award, named after the late British photojournalist killed in Libya, was awarded to “No Other Land.” Directed by the Palestinian-Israeli collective of Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, and Rachel Szor, the documentary depicts the lives of Palestinian villagers in Masafer Yatta, an area of the occupied West Bank. The film has already garnered numerous awards, including top prizes at the Berlinale and Millennium Docs Against Gravity in Poland.
“Flowers,” directed by José Cardoso, won the Grand Jury Award for the International Short Film, making it eligible for Oscar consideration. This year’s Sheffield DocFest, the U.K.’s most prestigious all-documentary festival, showcased 48 world premieres and numerous international, European, and U.K. premieres.
The full list of winners announced on Sunday evening includes:
International Competition (Grand Jury Award):
The Grand Jury Award for the International Competition was awarded to “At the Door of the House Who Will Come Knocking,” directed by Maja Novaković. The jury, comprising Heather Haynes, Mohamed Saïd Ouma, and Havana Marking, praised the film for its artistic vision and courageous storytelling.
Special Mention: “Mother City,” directed by Miki Redelinghuys and Pearlie Joubert, was recognized for the filmmakers’ bravery, passion, and commitment.
International First Feature Competition:
The Grand Jury Award for the International First Feature Competition went to “The Boy and the Suit of Lights,” directed by Inma de Reyes. The jury, including Liselot Verbugge, Kristine Barford, and Diego Pino Anguita, commended the film for its visually stunning reflection on culture and society.
Special Mention: “Silent Men,” directed by Duncan Cowles, was noted for its vulnerable approach to a sensitive subject.
International Short Film Competition:
The Grand Jury Award for the International Short Film Competition was awarded to “Flowers,” directed by José Cardoso. The jury, consisting of Andy Mundy-Castle, Lindsay Poulton, and Moustapha Sawadogo, appreciated the film’s strong sense of purpose and style.
Special Mention: “Dancing Palestine,” directed by Lamees Almakkawy, was recognized for its fresh perspective on Palestine and its culture.
Tim Hetherington Award:
The Tim Hetherington Award was presented to “No Other Land,” directed by Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, and Hamdan Ballal. The jury, including Joan Parsons, Toni Kamau, and Mariia Tsypiashchuk, praised the film for its powerful collaboration and storytelling.
International Virtual Reality Competition:
The award for the International Virtual Reality Competition went to “Perinatal Dreaming. Understanding Country,” created by Marianne Wobcke, Volker Keuchelmeister, and Lucia Barrera. The jury, comprising Abby Sun, John O’Shea, and Zinha Morgan-Bennett, commended the work for its cultural and ancestral knowledge.
Youth Jury Award:
The Youth Jury Award was presented to “HAIYU – Rebel Singer Mariem Hassan and the Struggle for a Free Western Sahara,” directed by Alex Veitch, Brahim B. Ali, Mohamedsalem Uered, and Anna Klara Åhrén. The youth jury appreciated the film’s hopeful message and authentic representation.
Special Mention: “Life on the Edge,” directed by Johnny Langenheim and Sebastian Feehan, was recognized for its championing of indigenous stories and mental health awareness.
The 2024 Pitch Session Winners included “Camels of the Sea,” directed by Vikram Singh, which won the Whickers Pitch, Film & TV Funding Award, and “Replica,” directed by Chouwa Liang, which received the development prize.
The Podcast Pitch first prize went to “Rewriting the Narrative” by Christina Hardinge, and the second prize went to “Degenerate” by Matt Durai.
The Channel 4 First Cut Pitch was won by Helen Waddell, securing a commission for her first 60-minute film.
The inaugural Al Jazeera Documentary Channel Co-Production Award was given to “Kikuyu Land,” directed by Andrew H. Brown and Bea Wangondu.
Sheffield DocFest continues to be a significant platform for documentary filmmakers, celebrating diverse voices and compelling stories from around the world.
