Category: BEST DOCUMENTARY – 2025 ARFF BERLIN

(Honorable Mention)

Original Film Title: Alignment – A True Story of Surrender

Director’s Name: Adam Charles Shereston

Writer’s Name: Adam Charles Shereston

Producer: Sally Page

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Country of Filming: France, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom

Language: English

Runtime: 50 minutes 14 seconds

Film Description:

Former British Royal Family game keeper Adam Shereston gets led into the world of horse whispering and healing after he hears a mysterious wise voice whisper that he is immortal.

Haunted for years by a deep inner restlessness caused by his father’s unexpected death and exhausted from chasing worldly achievement, former Royal Family gamekeeper Adam Shereston is called on a soul-searching mission of Surrender. Working for the Queen had offered it’s own trials and tribulations but nothing could prepare him for a sudden spiritual awakening where he first hears a wise voice whisper that he is immortal. Consumed by anxiety and grief and wrestling with doubt, this voice surprisingly leads Adam into a deep connection with horses. Through their silent wisdom and unspoken partnership, Adam discovers a mirror for his soul and they show him a powerful path to healing his inner wounds and help dissolve his emotional armour. During this time, defeat becomes his deliverance as God slowly reveals himself further, shattering old patterns and false identities. From confusion to clarity, Adam realises a deeper reality and learns to walk in truth, discovering his purpose by handing it over to a greater unwavering love than himself.

Alignment is the powerful autobiographical story of Adam’s spiritual journey through trauma into transcendence. A living testament to the truth of the transformative power of awakening and spiritual surrender with a powerful message for the modern world.

(Finalist)

Original Film Title: Make it to Munich

Director’s Name: MARTYN ROBERTSON

Writer’s Name: MARTYN ROBERTSON

Producer: LOUISE STORRIE

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Country of Filming: Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom

Language: English

Runtime: 1 hour 32 minutes

Film Description:

Hot from closing Glasgow Film Festival 2025 and shot in the run-up to Euro 2024, Make It To Munich follows Ethan Walker, a promising teenage footballer from Aberdeenshire who, just months into a football scholarship at a New York State University, suffers life-threatening injuries (including multiple fractures, two brain haemorrhages and the complete dislocation of his right knee) in a road traffic accident. Aided in his recovery by pioneering Glasgow surgeon (and former Rangers footballer who was signed by Graeme Souness and worked with Ally McCoist) Professor Gordon Mackay, Ethan decides to cycle from Hampden to Munich for Scotland’s opening match against Germany in Euro 2024 -just nine months after his accident. Entrusted by the Scotland National team to carry the match pennant on his back for the whole journey and deliver it in time for kick off, Ethan is accompanied in this epic quest by Gordon, Tartan Army foot-soldier Stephen Collie and Martyn (filmmaker) himself. Make It To Munich is an uplifting story of human willpower, scientific ingenuity and the questionable wisdom of making a film with one hand while the other one grasps the handlebars for a 1200 Kilometres cycle.

(Honorable Mention)

Original Film Title: WATERWAY NO58

Director’s Name: Umut Karaduman

Writer’s Name: Umut Karaduman

Producer: JTW FILM

Country of Origin: Turkey

Country of Filming: Turkey

Language: Turkish

Runtime: 25 minutes 28 seconds

Film Description:

Waterway No58 is an architectural documentary that delves into the construction process of a unique building rising in Istanbul’s Bostancı district. While showcasing the striking relationship between the travertine-clad façade and daylight—and the understated harmony of metal and stone—the film also brings to light the human effort behind this elegant surface. From architects to craftsmen, laborers to material producers, it intimately captures the collective stories and labor that shape the building. Waterway No58 offers not only a study of form, but also a portrait of process—where light, material, and human endeavor converge to create an architectural memory.

(Finalist)

Original Film Title: ORIGIN – OF PUPPETS AND PEOPLE

Director’s Name: Anja Krug-Metzinger

Writer’s Name: Anja Krug-Metzinger

Producer: Anja Krug-Metzinger

Country of Origin: Germany

Country of Filming: Germany

Language: German

Runtime: 1 hour 6 minutes 57 seconds

Film Description:

In a world where digital avatars dominate our attention, an analog miracle unfolds: puppets that open people’s hearts. “ORIGIN – Von Marionetten und Menschen” is a cinematic odyssey that blurs the boundaries between documentary and philosophy.
At the center are Marlene Gmelin and Detlef Schmelz, two puppeteers who are more than artists – they are archaeologists of the human soul. Their satirical play “A few degrees plus – The Climate Conference” serves as a Trojan horse to penetrate the fortress of our collective repression.
While animal diplomats haggle over water rights on stage, the camera reveals a fascinating paradox behind the scenes: the deeper the puppeteers immerse themselves in their art, the more alienated they become from the world they are trying to save.
“ORIGIN” is a multi-layered web of art, psychology and anthropology. It is an invitation to unravel the threads of our own existence and to question who is actually pulling the strings in our lives – be it evolutionary impulses, social norms or the omnipresent algorithms of social media.

(Finalist)

Original Film Title: ITSANAXA

Director’s Name: Emilios Goutas

Writer’s Name: Emilios Goutas

Producer: Emilios Goutas

Country of Origin: Mexico

Country of Filming: Mexico

Language: Other

Runtime: 1 hour 6 minutes 37 seconds

Film Description:

“Itsanaxa” unravels the rich life of the Wixárika, narrated by don Antonio Carrillo, “Young Deer”, grandfather and healer. The film explores their cosmovision and traditions, from creation myths to spiritual agricultural practices. Capturing rituals and day-to-day life, don Antonio imparts his wisdom and his desire to pass on his legacy to his grandson Samuel. In the face of modern challenges such as alcoholism and Western influence, “Itsanaxa” offers a profound and critical look at the struggle to preserve an ancient culture in a changing world.

(Finalist)

Original Film Title: LIBRE Monijara

Director’s Name: David De Hannay

Writer’s Name: David De Hannay

Producer: Monica Jaramillo

Country of Origin: Colombia

Country of Filming: Colombia

Language: Spanish

Runtime: 32 minutes 52 seconds

Film Description:

“Libre Monijara” is a poetic anthropological film that captures the essence of what it means to be an artist and a woman who navigates two disparate worlds – that of her native country of Colombia and her adopted home of New York City,

The film follows the life journey of successful Colombian-American artist Monijara from her humble beginnings as a child in Colombia to her stellar career on Wall Street.

A true free spirit, Monijara seamlessly blends her Latin heritage with Western culture to create art that celebrates the resilience of women and the beauty of nature. That resilience is tested when, during filming, Monijara experiences a profound loss—the passing of her longtime boyfriend. His death becomes a catalyst that leads Monijara to turn to art as a path to healing and renewal.

Directed by David De Hannay, a photographer and visual artist renowned for his anthology documentary films, “Libre Monijara” masterfully captures Monijara’s essence as well as the strength and freedom of Latin women, the vibrancy of life, and the transformative power of art.

(Finalist)

Original Film Title: Anonymous Heroes

Director’s Name: Daniel Lutz

Writer’s Name: Daniel Lutz

Producer: Teresa Ochoa

Country of Origin: Mexico

Country of Filming: Mexico

Language: Spanish

Runtime: 26 minutes 22 seconds

Film Description:

“Anonymous Heroes” is a captivating documentary that follows the journey of Ignacio, a passionate mountain guide and climbing instructor. Through his personal story and dedication to his community, the film explores significant events that have left a lasting impact on multiple generations.

By accompanying Ignacio on his adventures, viewers are immersed in the beauty of Mexican landscapes and the richness of local culture. This documentary stands out for its ability to deconstruct stereotypes often associated with Mexico, offering an authentic and nuanced perspective of the country. “Anonymous Heroes” celebrates not only the resilience and courage of one man but also the spirit of an often-overlooked nation.

(Honorable Mention)

Original Film Title: A Rare Journey

Director’s Name: Agusta Fanney Snorradottir

Writer’s Name: Sigurdur Holmar Johannesson, Agusta Fanney Snorradottir, Hulda Bjork Svansdottir

Producer: Sigurdur Holmar Johannesson

Country of Origin: Iceland

Country of Filming: Iceland

Language: Icelandic

Runtime: 52 minutes 58 seconds

Film Description:

A Rare Journey is a powerful documentary about Ægir Þór, an 11-year-old boy from Höfn in Hornafjörður, who has been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare muscle disorder that affects his mobility.

In this documentary, we follow Ægir Þór on an extraordinary journey across Iceland, where he meets other children living with rare diseases.

Together, they share their stories, hopes, and challenges, building strong connections through their shared experience of navigating life with serious conditions.

The film offers a deep and moving insight into the lives of children facing rare illnesses, while also celebrating their strength, courage, and resilience.

(Finalist)

Original Film Title: Alive: A true story of hope

Director’s Name: Shawn Welling

Writer’s Name: Shawn Welling

Producer: Shawn Welling

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 18 minutes

Film Description:

Follow the journey of the lives of 5 children given a death sentence in the 90’s, only to be given a second chance. This miraculous story heralds a common chance meeting of a person, Dr. Burzynski, who would bring them to a common place, finding hope and being Alive 30 years later to tell their story.

(Finalist)

Original Film Title: Three shores of Aristide

Director’s Name: Ubaldo Medina

Writer’s Name: Rebeca Ulloa

Producer: Ubaldo Medina

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 50 minutes

Film Description:

A pleasant conversation with Aristides Pumariega, one of the most important Cuban caricaturists of the 20th century. His story told by himself. A journey through the history of Cuba and its music, through the paintings and caricatures of Aristide