Henry Awards honor 15 semifinalist documentaries for $100,000

The Henry Awards for Public Interest Documentary have announced their first 15 semifinalists. The winner will receive a prize of $100,000. This new award aims to recognize nonfiction films that enhance public understanding of important social issues. The awards are organized by the Documentary Film in the Public Interest Initiative, part of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center. According to officials, the goal is to celebrate ethical storytelling and rigorous journalism in documentary filmmaking. Among the semifinalists are well-known films such as "Four Daughters," directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, and "Queendom," by Agniia Galdanova. These nominations were made by an international committee of experts, including festival programmers and film critics. Financial support for the awards comes from Linda and John Henry. Nancy Gibbs, director of the Shorenstein Center, emphasized the importance of documentary films in today's society, where true information is often hard to find. The grand prize winner and four finalists will be chosen by a jury of film industry professionals. The announcement will take place in April. The aim is to highlight documentaries that contribute to the public good and encourage meaningful discussion on critical issues.