The Whickers Film & TV Award and Whickers Podcast Pitch Award for 2025 are now open for submissions. As the awards mark their 10th anniversary, The Whickers is celebrating a decade of supporting and nurturing emerging documentary filmmakers, with 2025 seeing over a “whopping” £1 million in prize money awarded to date.
Since its inception in 2015, The Whickers has been “at the forefront of helping filmmakers bring their visions to life” through their annual awards and four global bursaries, write organisers. Over the years, The Whickers has seen their talented alumni premiere films at international festivals such as Sheffield DocFest, Hot Docs, Visions du Réel, Venice and IDFA and been picked up by HBO, Netflix, The BBC.
This year, one of their bursary winning films, Ibrahim Nash’at’s Hollywoodgate, has been shortlisted for an Academy Award for Best International Documentary. Nash’at says of the Whickers “They made it happen,” the organisation reports.
The Whickers have also made a significant impact in the world of podcasting, with several finalists’ podcasts being commissioned by the BBC and independent podcast companies. “The reach and influence of The Whickers have grown tremendously, and the organisation remains committed to finding and mentoring the next generation of storytellers,” organisers write. “Whether someone is a first-time feature documentary filmmaker or an independent podcast producer, The Whickers offer unique opportunities to help turn their vision into a reality.
Whickers Film & TV Funding Award 2025
The Whickers Film & TV Funding Award is presented annually to an emerging filmmaker with the most promising pitch for a director-led documentary. This award is one of the largest and most significant documentary funding prizes globally, featuring a £100,000 main award and a £20,000 development award for the runner-up. The total prize pool helps filmmakers take their projects from concept to completion.
Key Dates for 2025:
- Applications Close: 31st January 2025 (23:59 GMT)
- Shortlist Announcement: Late April 2025
- Finalist Pitching at Sheffield DocFest: June 2025
- Winner Announcement: June 2025 at the Sheffield DocFest Awards Ceremony
- More information and application details for the Film & TV Award can be found here.
Whickers Podcast Pitch Award 2025
In partnership with Sheffield DocFest, the Whickers Podcast Pitch Award enters its third year. For 2025, The Whickers announces a 200% increase in prize money, with £15,000 awarded to the winning podcast pitch and £5,000 for second place. “With the rise of podcasting as a major medium for factual storytelling, this award aims to support independent producers with bold, innovative ideas,” the organisation writes.
Key Dates for 2025:
- Applications Close: 28th February 2025 (23:59 GMT)
- Shortlist Announcement: Late April 2025
- Finalist Pitching at Sheffield DocFest: June 2025
- Winner Announcement: June 2025 at the Sheffield DocFest Awards Ceremony
- More information and application details for the Podcast Pitch Award can be found here.
“The Whickers are more than just an award—they are a family,” organisers stress. “Once a filmmaker becomes a part of The Whickers, they are supported for life, with ongoing mentorship and a network of successful alumni guiding their career path.”
