CINEMA FOR PEACE DOVES 2026
The Cinema for Peace Dove for The Most Valuable Film of the Year
NOMINEES:
Bugonia
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Two conspiracy theorists kidnap a CEO believing her to be an alien plotting Earth's destruction.
Eleanor the great
Directed by scarlett johansson
After a devastating loss, witty and proudly troublesome Eleanor Morgenstein, 94, tells a tale that takes on its own dangerous life.
hamnet
Directed by Chloé Zhao
After losing their son Hamnet to plague, Agnes and William Shakespeare grapple with grief in 16th-century England.
it was just an accident
Directed by Janifer Panahi
A small mishap triggers a chain reaction of ever-growing problems.
Nuremberg
Directed by james vanderbilt
A WWII psychiatrist evaluates Nazi leaders before the Nuremberg trials, growing increasingly obsessed with understanding evil as he forms a disturbing bond with Hermann Göring.
one battle after another
Directed by paul thomas anderson
When their evil enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a group of ex-revolutionaries reunite to rescue the daughter of one of their own.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania
Red Crescent volunteers receive an emergency call. A 6-year old girl is trapped in a car under IDF fire in Gaza, pleading for rescue. While trying to keep her on the line, they do everything they can to get an ambulance to her.
The Wizard of the Kremlin
Directed by Olivier Assayas
A young Russian filmmaker becomes an unlikely advisor to Vladimir Putin as he rises to power in post-Soviet Russia, navigating the new era's complexities and chaos.
Two Prosecutors
Directed by Sergei Loznitsa
In the USSR in 1937, a newly appointed prosecutor discovers an undestroyed letter from a prisoner that reveals corruption in the secret police, the NKVD. His search for the truth becomes dangerous
Rental Family
Directed by Hikari
An American actor in Tokyo struggling to find purpose lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese "rental family" agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. He rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the beauty of human connection.
Sirat
Directed by Oliver Laxe
A father, accompanied by his son, goes looking for his missing daughter in North Africa.
The Cinema for Peace Dove for The Most Valuable Documentary of the Year
NOMINEES:
2000 Meter to Andriivka
Directed by Mstyslav Chernov
A Ukrainian platoon's mission: traverse a heavily fortified mile of forest to liberate a strategic village from Russian forces. A journalist accompanies them, witnessing the ravages of war and the growing uncertainty about its conclusion.
Children In The Fire
Directed by Evgeny Afineevsky
War-wounded Ukrainian children share their stories through a blend of live footage and animation, bringing their experiences to life.
There is Another Way
Directed by Stephen apkon
Showcases Palestinians and Israelis working for peace through non-violent means.
Of Mud and Blood
Directed by Jean-Gabriel Leynaud
Life in the village of Numbi in Congo Mountains, where the inhabitants make their living digging for coltan, a key raw material found in many contemporary technological products.
Can’t Look Away: The Case Against Social Media
Directed by Matthew O'Neill, Perri PeltZ
Matthew O'Neill and Perri Peltz follow the Social Media Victims Law Center as it fights for families harmed by addictive algorithms and tech negligence.
Molly vs The Machines
Directed by Marc Silver
Molly vs The Machines unveils the tragic story behind a teenager driven to take her life by machines that were built to control people for profit.
The Road Between Us: the ultimate rescue
Directed by Barry Avrich
Grandfather and retired Israeli general Noam Tibon rescues his family from Hamas terrorists invading their home during the October 7, 2023 massacre - a coordinated assault on Israel sparking an ongoing conflict.
Steal this story, please!
Directed by Tia Lessin, Carl Deal
A reporter's personal journey and major news coverage intersect in this film debuting at DC/Dox, emphasizing journalism's vital role in revealing truth during an era when independent reporting faces challenges.
This Ordinary Thing
Directed by Nick Davis
This Ordinary Thing is a Holocaust Film like none other; it explores the heroism, bravery and self-sacrifice of non-Jewish people throughout Europe who risked their very lives to hide Jewish strangers.
The Last Twins
Directed by Matthew O'Neill, Perri Peltz
Erno Spiegel protected twin children from Mengele's experiments at Auschwitz. Put in charge of young boys, he risked his life to shield them from brutal medical tests and death, saving dozens through courage and compassion.
The Cinema for Peace Dove for The Political Film of the Year
NOMINEES:
Facing War
Directed by Tommy Gulliksen
NATO chief Stoltenberg navigates his final year, balancing Ukraine support promises with rising European war fears.
Coexistance, my ass!
Directed by Amber Fares
Comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi's one-woman show tackles the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the struggle for equality, challenging audiences with uncomfortable truths when her pursuit of coexistence starts sounding absurd.
The 6 Billion Dollar Man
Directed by Eugen Jarecki
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange battled extradition to the U.S., where he could've faced a lengthy sentence for publishing classified documents. His case, centered on press freedom, took unexpected twists as it unfolded.
My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow
Directed by Julia Loktev
Julia Loktev documents independent journalists in Moscow facing government crackdown as Russia invades Ukraine, capturing their fight for speech amid risks of being branded "foreign agents" and the country's drift towards authoritarianism.
Bodyguard of Lies
Directed by Dan Krauss
The story of how a young Donald Trump started his real estate business in 1970s and 80s New York with the helping hand of infamous lawyer Roy Cohn.
Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea
Directed by Baby Ruth Villarama
Amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Filipino fishermen, Coast Guard, and Navy personnel risk everything to defend their waters and way of life.
The Librarians
Directed by Kim A. Snyder
Librarians unite to combat book banning, defending intellectual freedom on democracy's frontlines amid unprecedented censorship in Texas, Florida, and beyond.
International Green Film Award
NOMINEES:
yanuni
Directed by richard ladkani
Indigenous chief Juma Xipaia fights to protect tribal lands despite assassination attempts. Her struggle intensifies after learning she's pregnant, while her husband, Special Forces ranger Hugo Loss, stands by her side.
Trade Secret
Directed by Abraham Joffe
Three allies investigate global polar bear trading, revealing how those meant to protect these animals may be involved in their commercialization. Shot over 6 years in 9 countries.
Ocean with David Attenborough
Directed by Colin Butfield, Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey
Attenborough explores the planet's undersea habitats, revealing the greatest age of ocean discovery and emphasizing the ocean's vital importance while exposing its problems and highlighting opportunities for marine life recovery.
Super Nature
Directed by ED SAYERS
Terry Kennedy once formed an unlikely bond with a giant manta ray named Willy. Now he makes one final dive expedition to a remote island, hoping to reunite with his extraordinary ocean friend.
The Last Dive
Directed by Cody
Terry Kennedy once formed an unlikely bond with a giant manta ray named Willy. Now he makes one final dive expedition to a remote island, hoping to reunite with his extraordinary ocean friend.
The Tale of Silyan
directed by Tamara Kotevska
A young Spanish musician, inspired by cyborg artists undergoes an illegal procedure to implant a cybernetic organ allowing him to perceive sounds from outer space promising new musical inspiration.
The Cinema for Peace Dove for Women’s Empowerment
NOMINEES:
Cutting through rocks
Directed by Sara Khak, Mohammadreza Eyni
First female councilor in her Iranian village, Sara Shahverdi challenges tradition by teaching girls to ride motorcycles and fighting child marriage, while facing doubts about her motives.
Give me the Ball!
Directed by Liz Garbus, Elizabeth Wolff
A definitive documentary centered on tennis trailblazer Billie Jean King and her game-changing impact on sports and culture. Featuring rare archive footage and candid interviews with King and those closest to her, the film reveals how she prioritized changing the world over her own safety and comfort
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore
Directed by Shoshannah Stern
In 1987, Marlee Matlin became the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award and was thrust into the spotlight at 21 years old. Reflecting on her life in her primary language of American Sign Language, Marlee explores the complexities of what it means to be a trailblazer.
Love + war
Directed by Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
A documentary profiling the extraordinary life of veteran war photographer Lynsey Addario. The film explores her dangerous work chasing conflicts across the globe while navigating the complexities of her personal life, relationships, and family at home.
prime minister
Directed by Lindsay Utz, Michelle Walshe
Chronicling Jacinda Ardern's tenure as New Zealand PM, navigating crises while redefining global leadership through her empathetic yet resolute approach.
sally
Directed by Cristina Costantini
Sally Ride's groundbreaking journey as the first American woman in space concealed a deeply personal story. Her life partner, Tam O'Shaughnessy, unveils their covert 27-year romance and its accompanying sacrifices.
The Last Ambassador
Directed by Natalie Halla
Afghanistan's last female ambassador, Manizha Bakhtari, is risking everything in her fight for the rights of girls and women in Afghanistan.
young mothers
Directed by Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne
Five young mothers living in a shelter strive for a better future for themselves and kids amidst challenging upbringings.