The 2024 Grierson Awards cover 15 programme and presenter categories spanning the entire documentary genre.

This year’s awards include a new category, Best Popular Culture Documentary: open to single documentaries or an episode from a strand or series that depicts people, events, movements or trends that have had a major impact on popular culture in recent years.

The closing date for entries is Friday 31st May. The ceremony takes place on 6th November at a new home –Roundhouse – the iconic music and arts venue in Camden, London.

The 2023 Grierson Award winners covered a wide range of subjects, from the history and legacy of conflict in Northern Ireland and Afghanistan, the detrimental effects of climate change and big oil on the environment, the incredible lives of one of Britain’s best loved sports stars and a musical icon, and making a career as a wrestler in the US.

Lorraine Heggessey, Chair of The Grierson Trust said: “The finest documentaries have the power to stimulate, engage and entertain audiences. They can have an impact that reaches far beyond the screen, highlighting injustice and helping to bring about change. The Grierson Awards recognise the excellence and creativity of documentary filmmakers who unearth the truth, shed new light on the events or individuals who shape history at home and abroad, and uncover quirky stories that keep us on the edge of our seats. As the industry faces increasingly difficult headwinds, it’s important that we continue to celebrate the significance of the documentary in a fast-changing media landscape.”

Eligibility

All entries must have had their first UK screening between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024. This includes television broadcast, scheduled screenings and screenings within recognised film, television and documentary festivals, theatrical releases and entries will be accepted which have screened on digital platforms only – e.g. Netflix, iPlayer, Prime Video – as long as the screening was accessible by a UK-based audience. Screenings at Universities and Colleges are also acceptable for the Best Student Documentary category. You can find more detailed information on criteria, eligibility and terms and conditions for entry on The Grierson Trust website.

Freelancer rate

To support freelancers working in the industry over the past year, The Grierson Trust has introduced a freelancer rate for entries into the Fulwell 73 Best Documentary Short category. Shorts that have been produced independently, without support from a distributor, digital platform or broadcaster will be eligible for the discount.

The Grierson Trust is grateful to all its sponsors who help support the awards including headline sponsors All3Media and category sponsors BBC, Channel 4, ENVY, Fulwell 73, Netflix, Sky Documentaries, Broadcast Sport and Televisual, as well as supporters the British Council, Picture Shop and Satusfaction.