Category: Best Documentary – 2026 ARFF Barcelona

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Section 1591_Sex trafficking of children in the U.S.A

Director’s Name: Dan Poole, Cort Kristensen

Writer’s Name: Dan Poole

Producer: Dan Poole, Cort Kristensen

Country of Origin: United Kingdom, United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes

Film Description:

As our film prepares for its broader release in summer 2026, it is available to be presented in its original 4K scope cinematic form, and Dolby Vision, showcasing an extraordinary Dolby Atmos mix by Oscar winning Paul Massey.

The documentary, Section 1591 is a gripping and poignant documentary that juxtaposes the hidden world of sex trafficking in America, with the story of former U.S. Special Forces operator Jeff Tiegs, who now fights to free the oppressed as he once did in combat.

As the film unfolds, layers of Jeff’s character are revealed, showing that he shares more with the survivors than we might initially imagine.

But Section 1591 is not just Jeff’s story—at its heart are the survivors. Their voices, courage, and resilience form the backbone of the film. As Jeff works alongside these women who have escaped their traffickers, their stories rise above statistics, humanising the devastating realities of sexual exploitation for us watching.

Supported by advocates, law enforcement officers, district attorneys, and Homeland Security, the survivors are central to exposing this hidden epidemic, dismantling networks of exploitation, and demanding justice for those still trapped.

More than a call to action, Section 1591—filmed over six years—delivers unflinching vérité footage and a powerful, survivor-driven narrative. It compels us to confront not only the harsh reality of modern sexual slavery but also the lasting scars of PTSD carried by both the women and Jeff himself.

Section 1591 is definitively an exploration of courage, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

(HONORABLE MENTION)

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.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: CONCEPCION

Director’s Name: Jochi Melero, Carlos Larrieu

Writer’s Name: Carlos Larrieu, Victor Morales

Producer: Toya Bonnin, Cesar G Concepcion

Country of Origin: Puerto Rico, United States

Country of Filming: Puerto Rico, United States, Uruguay

Language: Spanish

Runtime: 1 hour 44 minutes 44 seconds

Film Description:

This captivating documentary explores the life and legacy of César Concepción (1909-1974), a maestro of La Plena, and trailblazer in Latin music. Featuring rare performances, personal interviews with Gilberto Santa Rosa, Danny Rivera, Rafael Ithier, Frank Grillo “Machito” and other iconic figures of his era, it brings his contributions to life while showcasing the timeless power of his music.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: The Coptic Grave

Director’s Name: Ahmed Tharwat

Writer’s Name: Ahmed Tharwat

Producer: Ahmed Tharwat

Country of Origin: Egypt

Country of Filming: Egypt

Language: Arabic/English

Runtime: 60 minutes 4 seconds

Film Description:

The documentary is inspired by the story of Kyriakos, a Coptic Egyptian who lived in my predominantly Muslim village for years. His life—and his extraordinary burial in a Muslim cemetery—broke with tradition, revealing a deeper story of coexistence, identity, and belonging.

Through personal narratives and historical reflections, this film intertwines his journey with my own as a minority Muslim living in the U.S. As I return to my village, revisiting familiar places and voices, a new story emerges—one that speaks to the quiet harmony of a rural Egyptian community of 5,000 people.

(HONORABLE MENTION)

Original Film Title: THE NON–FICTION MAN

Director’s Name: Hai yi Li

Writer’s Name: Hai yi Li

Producer: Wei hao yu, Sheng hui Tang

Country of Origin: China

Country of Filming: China

Language: Chinese

Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes

Film Description:

In a quiet corner of the city, Sun Boling—a drifter claiming extraordinary experiences—wanders the streets, murmuring about fate, time distortions, and solitary trials. A film crew encounters him and tries to capture his complex worldview, woven with ancient prophecies, apocalyptic memories, and a mysterious resilience. Rejecting modern norms like health checks, he speaks cryptically of a body altered by history and survival. Through fragmented stories and songs, Sun reflects on loss, destiny, and the fragile line between reality and illusion. As the world moves on, he gradually vanishes into the unseen corners of the city—an echo of a phenomenon hidden in the dark.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Holding Up the Sky

Director’s Name: Bob Nesson

Writer’s Name: Bob Nesson

Producer: Heather Merrill

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 48 minutes 27 seconds

Film Description:

Holding Up The Sky is a powerful and timely documentary that follows the intertwined lives of Ed and Jimmy – two formerly incarcerated men whose personal journeys reveal the transformative power of education, mentorship, and opportunity, and offers a humanizing lens on reentry and resilience.
Their stories defy stereotypes. As a 17 year old in a tough Black neighborhood, Ed was repeatedly assaulted – and killed his tormentor. Jimmy, a white former altarboy, was a victim of clergy sex abuse who rebelled, joined a gang – and was convicted of felony murder at age 15. They met in the lifer’s section of a tough prison. After decades inside, they were released – and they continue their friendship.
Despite leading meaningful lives on the outside— building a business, contributing to their communities, and mentoring others—Ed and Jimmy remain under lifetime parole, a system of intrusive surveillance that undermines true freedom.
Holding Up The Sky challenges viewers to confront the urgent need for cultural and policy changes. With empathy and insight, the film opens space for dialogue about systemic injustice, second chances, and what it truly means to be free.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: The Joy of Curiosity

Director’s Name: Kum-Kum Bhavnani

Writer’s Name: Kum-Kum Bhavnani, Ryan Pettey

Producer: Kum-Kum Bhavnani

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: India

Language: English, Tibetan

Runtime: 1 hour 9 minutes 50 seconds

Film Description:

Guided by faith and shaped by journeys far from home, three young Tibetan monastics embark on an exploration of how science and Buddhism mirror each another. Through the rhythm of sacred rituals, the warmth of shared laughter, and devotion to those who will follow, their stories reveal a grounded harmony where curiosity, compassion, and wisdom move as one.

(HONORABLE MENTION)

Original Film Title: Me and the one I used to be

Director’s Name: Maria Constanza Niscovolos

Writer’s Name: Maria Constanza Niscovolos, Elizabeth Wendling

Producer: Maria Constanza Niscovolos, Elizabeth Wendling

Country of Origin: Argentina

Country of Filming: Argentina

Language: Spanish

Runtime: 1 hour 9 minutes

Film Description:

Adriana Lestido is a fundamental figure in Argentine photography. Her work reveals a loving and stark look at captivity, motherhood, and the most primitive basic human impulses. Over time, she strips away the human figure and approaches elements in their pure state through landscape. In “Me and Who I Was,” the camera turns to show her from an intimate perspective, at 64 years old, seeking new horizons and her desire for transformation and growth.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Still Rollin’

Director’s Name: Diana Puzikova

Writer’s Name: Diana Puzikova

Producer: Todd Seligman

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 1 hour 46 minutes 27 seconds

Film Description:

An inspiring documentary about a man who began his music career after the age of 50, defied expectations, achieved success, and toured with world-famous artists. A powerful story that proves it is never too late—and, as his tattoo says, “If you believe, everything is possible”.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: HOPE: In the Shadows of the Bosphorus

Director’s Name: LATIF TAS

Writer’s Name: LATIF TAS

Producer: LATIF TAS

Country of Origin: Turkey, United Kingdom

Country of Filming: Turkey

Language: English, Turkish

Runtime: 1 hour 15 minutes

Film Description:

‘HOPE’ breaks new ground as the first documentary to comprehensively explore the culture, and contemporary lives of different – internal and external migrant groups – in diverse city of Istanbul. They say Istanbul is a city of dreams, but for those living in its shadows, it is also a city of silence, waiting, alienation and survival.
Through intimate storytelling from different characters, this film is the story of those who leave their homes, cities and countries behind and try to rebuild a new life, create a pluralistic society, and of those who welcome them or not.
The film’ elevating voices beyond its borders, zooming in on the corners of the rich diverse city of Istanbul and exploring different migrants’ stories that reflect the pluralist society. By walking around different neighbourhoods and experiencing the lives they lead, the places they live and many unspoken truths and views they share, ‘HOPE’ reveals contemporary universal themes of displacement, resilience, pluralism and the powerful hope to live.