CPH:DOX Celebrates ‘Whispers In May’ as Top Winner, with ‘Amazomania,’ ‘Dream Of Another Summer,’ and Others Garnering Awards

‘Whispers in May’ Wins Top Honor at CPH:DOX, Qualifying for Oscars

Copenhagen, Denmark – Whispers in May, directed by Dongnan Chen, captured the prestigious DOX:AWARD at the CPH:DOX film festival on Friday night, securing automatic qualification for Oscar consideration. The film, which examines the rite of passage of a 14-year-old girl in rural China, impressed the jury with its artistic depth and emotional resonance.

In their remarks, the DOX:AWARD jury described the film as "a modern-day fairytale that heeds monsters and factories alike." They praised Chen’s ability to weave tightly cinematic forms with authentic reality, resulting in a captivating narrative.

Chen expressed her gratitude upon receiving the award, stating, "Thank you for seeing the girls. And thank you for seeing us."

The DOX:AWARD, CPH:DOX’s flagship competition, recognizes artistic excellence in documentary filmmaking and carries a prize of €10,000, sponsored by Politiken Fonden.

In addition to the main award, a Special Mention was given to The Cord, directed by Nolwenn Hervé. The jury noted that this remarkable debut captivated them with its humanity and empathy.

The festival also featured the inaugural FIPRESCI Award, won by Amazomania, directed by Nathan Grossman. This documentary delves into a 1996 expedition in Brazil aimed at contacting the isolated Indigenous Koruba people. The film raises critical questions about the ethics of filming marginalized communities, emphasizing issues of agency and consent.

In the F:ACT AWARD category, Just Look Up, directed by Emma Wall and Betsy Hershey, was recognized for shedding light on young climate activists using innovative tactics to spur urgent action. A special mention went to The Great Experiment, directed by Stephen Maing and Eric Daniel Metzgar, which explores ideological divisions threatening the fabric of American society.

Irene Bartolomé’s film Dream of Another Summer, which invites viewers into Beirut post-explosion, won the NEXT:WAVE Award, celebrating daring creative approaches in documentary filmmaking. This Is Not a French Film, directed by Tom Adjibi, received a Special Mention.

The HUMAN:RIGHTS AWARD was presented to The Phantom Pain of Rojava, directed by Maryam Ebrahimi, with a Special Mention for American Doctor by Poh Si Teng.

CPH:DOX showcased a diverse selection of 74 films, handpicked from thousands of submissions worldwide. The festival featured 53 world premieres and highlighted new narratives in documentary cinema.

For a complete overview of CPH:DOX 2026’s award winners, see the list below:

DOX:AWARD
Winner: Whispers in May by Dongnan Chen
Special Mention: The Cord by Nolwenn Hervé

FIPRESCI AWARD
Winner: Amazomania by Nathan Grossman

F:ACT AWARD
Winner: Just Look Up by Emma Wall & Betsy Hershey
Special Mention: The Great Experiment by Stephen Maing & Eric Daniel Metzgar

NEXT:WAVE AWARD
Winner: Dream of Another Summer by Irene Bartolomé
Special Mention: This Is Not a French Film by Tom Adjibi

NORDIC:DOX AWARD
Winner: The Secret Reading Club of Kabul by Shakiba Adil & Elina Hirvonen
Special Mention: Homesick by Taekyung Tanja In Wol Sørensen

HUMAN:RIGHTS AWARD
Winner: The Phantom Pain of Rojava by Maryam Ebrahimi
Special Mention: American Doctor by Poh Si Teng

NEW:VISION AWARD
Winner: Compact Disc by Rico Wong
Special Mention: Local Sensations by Tulapop Saenjaroen

INTER:ACTIVE EXHIBITION AWARD
Winner: Inside: The Childhood of an Artist by Sacha Wares
Special Mention: Dark Rooms by Mads Damsbo & Laurits Flensted-Jensen

CPH:DOX will additionally award a €10,000 Audience Award on March 26, sponsored by the Danish public service broadcaster, DR.