NEW YORK, USA – In a celebration of global storytelling, the 2025 New York Festivals Storytellers Gala brought together the finest creators in television and film for an unforgettable virtual awards night on May 22. From hard-hitting journalism to cinematic documentaries, boundary-pushing branded content to imaginative promos, this year’s winners reaffirmed the power of the story to move and inspire.
For the ninth consecutive year, Al Jazeera English claimed the title of Broadcaster of the Year, an extraordinary testament to their journalistic grit and narrative craft. The Qatar-based news outlet swept the awards with a stellar lineup of Gold-winning entries, including Fault Lines – The Night Won’t End, Children of the Darien Gap, and All That Remains.
Other standout series included 101 East – India’s Disappearing Mountains, People & Power – Myanmar Army on the Ropes, and the climate-focused Dying Earth – Beyond the Oil Age. In total, Al Jazeera English took home 9 Gold, 9 Silver, 8 Bronze, and 16 Finalist awards.
“This accolade serves as a profound affirmation from our industry peers of the professionalism and significance of the work we do at Al Jazeera English. Our journalists work tirelessly around the world to inform and empower audiences with in-depth and accurate reporting. This is no easy task, especially given the rising challenges posed by increasing attacks on journalists and media organisations. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our journalists for their unwavering commitment, particularly our colleagues in Gaza, whose efforts have been crucial in helping the world grasp the realities of the war on Gaza and its devastating effects on civilian populations.” said Issa Ali, Acting Managing Director of Al Jazeera English.
UK-based Zinc Media Group was lauded as Production Company of the Year for the third year running, dominating the branded content category with its sharp eye for emotional resonance and narrative clarity. Their Gold-winning entries like Non-Technical Skills for Network Rail and Stepping Up for PwC proved that training films can be just as powerful as traditional storytelling.
“On behalf of everyone at Zinc Media Group, I want to thank the New York Festivals’ for celebrating bold storytelling and global creativity. Winning Production Company of the Year Worldwide for the third consecutive year is an incredible honour.
At Zinc, our mission is to tell stories about Life, On Screen. This award is a testament to our ongoing commitment to creating powerful content year after year. This award belongs to everyone in our company. Thank you for your passion, courage, and craft. I’m incredibly proud of the work we continue to do together.” said Mark Browning, CEO, Zinc Media Group on the wins.
Three productions stood out with Grand Awards for their unmatched storytelling craft:
The Tattooist of Auschwitz (All3Media International) – A haunting dramatization of Holocaust survival and love under unthinkable conditions.
Olympic Studio – Paris 24 (TV Globo) – A masterclass in broadcast innovation, recreating Paris in virtual reality for the 2024 Olympic Games.
VIKTOR-IA (Voice of America) – A raw, intimate look at life under war in Ukraine, blending frontline tension with personal resilience.
Sports journalist Lesley Visser received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, cementing her legacy as one of the most decorated women in sports media history.
Meanwhile, environmental storytelling took the spotlight with EUROPE (Light & Shadow GmbH) nabbing the WaterBear Award for its visually rich exploration of European wildlife.
The JusticeAid Award went to The Walt Disney Company (Europe & Africa) for Invisible Presale Trailer, a chilling, genre-defying promo tackling the very real impact of bullying through fantasy and superhero tropes.
From emotionally charged documentaries to genre-blending entertainment, 2025’s Gold winning works were a celebration of diversity in voice and vision:
- Gaza (Al Jazeera Media Network), HERE LIVED (3 Generations), and We Will Dance Again (Sipur Studios, MGM TV, Bitachon365) led the documentary category.
- Trigger Point (Series 2) (All3Media International) and The National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash (TBI Media) wowed in entertainment.
- The Moment: How Sports Changed the World (1895 Films) scored in sports documentary.
- Eco Season and Wonderful World (BBC Studios Distribution) delivered in promotional storytelling.
- Corporate films like Empathy – A Poem (Media Zoo Ltd) and Behind the Smile (DRPG) delivered with heart and purpose.
Streaming platforms also held strong, with EL ENCARGADO – S3 and Democracy Explained leading a vibrant slate of digital-first content.
The winners were selected by an international Grand Jury of over 200 media professionals, who judged each entry based on production values, creativity, purpose, and storytelling impact.
Explore the full gallery of winners at New York Festivals TV & Film Awards
