Whispers in May triumphs at CPH:DOX
- Dongnan Chen’s documentary has won the top prize in the DOX:AWARD Competition; other victors include Just Look Up, The Secret Reading Club of Kabul and The Phantom Pain of Rojava
The 23rd edition of CPH:DOX (11-22 March) has concluded following its latest industry- and public-orientated showcase in Copenhagen. This year’s international competition featured 74 films across its main strands, including 53 world, 17 international and four European premieres. The festival’s top award, accompanied by a prize of €10,000, was presented to Whispers in May by Dongnan Chen, a lyrical coming-of-age tale that blends myth and reality through the eyes of a young girl on the cusp of adolescence.
The jury stated about the winner: “Telling mythical stories about hidden worlds is a gift. Giving breadth and depth to quotidian moments is a talent. Weaving cinematic forms while allowing reality to resonate is captivating. Ultimately, we were charmed by a young girl’s journey. Walking over the edge of the last days of childhood, this director has succeeded in sharing a modern-day fairy tale that heeds monsters and factories alike.” The jury also gave a Special Mention to The Cord [+see also:
interview: Nolwenn Hervé
film profile] by Nolwenn Hervé, praising it as “an unforgettable debut” and Hervé as a filmmaker to watch.
This year also marked the introduction of the FIPRESCI Award, presented by the International Federation of Film Critics to Amazomania [+see also:
interview: Nathan Grossman
film profile] by Nathan Grossman. The jury highlighted the film’s “thought-provoking perspective on an intrusive culture clash”, and its exploration of image-making, capitalism and colonial legacy.
Just Look Up [+see also:
film review
film profile] by Emma Wall and Betsy Hershey emerged as the winner of the F:ACT AWARD, which is accompanied by €5,000. The jury described it as “a well-crafted, beautifully observed story about a group of young people trying to save the world from self-inflicted destruction”, balancing urgency with humour and hope. A Special Mention went to The Great Experiment by Stephen Maing and Eric Daniel Metzgar, noted for its timely depiction of political divisions.
Meanwhile, the HUMAN:RIGHTS AWARD, also accompanied by a €5,000 prize, went to The Phantom Pain of Rojava by Maryam Ebrahimi. The jury praised the movie for its “lyrical portrayal” of solidarity among women fighters and its ability to balance vulnerability with dignity amid ongoing conflict. A Special Mention was awarded to American Doctor by Poh Si Teng for its urgent depiction of human rights violations.
The NORDIC:DOX AWARD was bestowed upon The Secret Reading Club of Kabul by Shakiba Adil and Elina Hirvonen. The jury commended the film for creating “an echo chamber where the voices of silenced children can circulate freely”. The Special Mention went to Homesick by Taekyung Tanja Inwol Sørensen for its powerful portrayal of women’s oppression under authoritarian rule.
Elsewhere, the NEXT:WAVE AWARD went to Dream of Another Summer [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Irene Bartholomé, recognised for its meditative exploration of memory, identity and urban space, while This Is Not a French Film by Tom Adjibi received a Special Mention for its playful and self-reflexive approach.
The NEW:VISION AWARD was granted to Compact Disc by Rico Wong, an experimental and intimate work that reconstructs collective memory through lo-fi media. A Special Mention went to Local Sensations by Tulapop Saenjaroen for its inventive and poetic reimagining of monuments and history.
Finally, the INTER:ACTIVE AWARD went to Inside: The Childhood of an Artist by Sacha Wares, a multisensory VR experience praised for its emotional depth and innovative use of immersion. A Special Mention was given to Dark Rooms by Mads Damsbo and Laurits Flensted-Jensen for its bold and intimate exploration of desire and identity.
Here is the complete list of award winners at CPH:DOX 2026:
DOX:AWARD
Whispers in May - Dongnan Chen (Hong Kong/Netherlands/South Korea/Sweden)
Special Mention
The Cord [+see also:
interview: Nolwenn Hervé
film profile] - Nolwenn Hervé (France)
FIPRESCI AWARD
Amazomania [+see also:
interview: Nathan Grossman
film profile] - Nathan Grossman (Sweden/Denmark/France)
F:ACT AWARD
Just Look Up [+see also:
film review
film profile] - Emma Wall, Betsy Hershey (USA/Denmark)
Special Mention
The Great Experiment - Stephen Maing, Eric Daniel Metzgar (USA/Mexico)
HUMAN:RIGHTS AWARD
The Phantom Pain of Rojava - Maryam Ebrahimi (Sweden/Norway)
Special Mention
American Doctor - Poh Si Teng (USA/Palestine/Malaysia/Denmark)
NORDIC:DOX AWARD
The Secret Reading Club of Kabul - Shakiba Adil, Elina Hirvonen (Finland/Norway)
Special Mention
Homesick - Taekyung Tanja In Wol Sørensen (Denmark/South Korea/Finland)
NEXT:WAVE AWARD
Dream of Another Summer [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Irene Bartholomé (Spain/Lebanon)
Special Mention
This Is Not a French Film - Tom Adjibi (Belgium/France)
NEW:VISION AWARD
Compact Disc - Rico Wong (Hong Kong/UK)
Special Mention
Local Sensations - Tulapop Saenjaroen (Thailand)
INTER:ACTIVE AWARD
Inside: The Childhood of an Artist - Sacha Wares (UK)
Special Mention
Dark Rooms - Mads Damsbo, Laurits Flensted-Jensen (Denmark/Germany/Taiwan)
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