Running during the Movies That Matter Industry Days, Take on Film & Impact has concluded its 2022 edition and handed out its awards. A total of 12 documentary film projects about human rights and/or social or environmental issues that need to be urgently addressed were chosen to take part.

The teams behind the projects attended both group and individual coaching sessions led by experienced impact producers and strategists in order to further develop their impact goals and strategies for their films. A total of three awards were handed out to the participating teams.

The Storyboard Impact Community Fund, valued at CHF 5,000 (€4,900), made possible by The Storyboard Collective, was handed to The Long Rescue, directed and produced by Jennifer Huang. The documentary, which is currently in post-production, follows Filipina teen sex-trafficking survivors for five years as they recover in a secret shelter and re-enter the world – hoping to overcome the poverty, predators and pimps of their childhood. Full of dreams but still bearing the wounds of the past, the girls must transform their understanding of themselves if they want to be truly free.

The ESoDoc Mentoring Prize was given to Slave Island by directors Jimmy Hendrickx and Jeremy Kewuan, and produced by Kristian Van der Heyden. The team will receive one-to-one mentoring sessions with an ESoDoc expert and will get access to online screenings. The project, which is now in development, tells the story of young women and children who are threatened with the rites of “Pasung”, which entails being chained to a wooden block until the demons are driven out of them. The filmmakers explore the hidden paradise of Sumba island, only to discover the atrocities of present-day slavery.

Finally, the Taskovski Training #DOCS CONNECT Talent Empowerment Award was given to Russia vs Lawyers, directed and produced by Masha Novikova, which is in early development and follows the struggles of a human rights lawyer in today’s Russia. The award includes a one-year mentorship by Irena Taskovski and by Khadidja Benouataf, of the Impact Social Club. A Special Mention was given to Pour the Water as I Leave by Daniela Repas, which will take part in additional tutoring.

Here are all of the winners of Take on Film & Impact 2022:

Storyboard Impact Community Fund
The Long Rescue - Jennifer Huang (USA/Philippines)
Producer: Jennifer Huang

ESoDoc Mentoring Prize
Slave Island - Jimmy Hendrickx, Jeremy Kewuan (Belgium/France/Estonia/Taiwan)
Producer: Kristian Van der Heyden

Taskovski Training #DOCS CONNECT Talent Empowerment Award
Russia vs Lawyers - Masha Novikova (Netherlands/Germany)
Producer: Masha Novikova
Special Mention
Pour the Water As I Leave - Daniela Repas (USA/Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Producer: Jessica Daugherty