Award Nominations 2025
Best Film Nominees Announced - September 29, 2025
Best Human Rights Film Award
Honoring films that champion human dignity, rights, and justice for all people.
No Other Land
For half a decade, Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist, films his community of Masafer Yatta being destroyed by Israel's occupation, as he builds an unlikely alliance with an Israeli journalist. A powerful chronicle of resistance based on footage shot over four years.
The Zone of Interest
The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp. A haunting exploration of the banality of evil and complicity in genocide.
Child of Dust
Everything changes for 55-year-old Sang, an unwanted Amerasian child from the Vietnam War, when he miraculously finds his American father. A poignant journey of reconciliation, exploring the legacy of 300,000 Amerasian children born during and after the war.
Best Democracy & Freedom Film Award
Recognizing films that explore democratic values, civil liberties, and the struggle for freedom worldwide.
Dissidents
A powerful documentary exploration of democratic values and human rights in contemporary society, examining the courage of those who stand for their beliefs against authoritarian systems.
MotherlanD
After the loss of her son, Svetlana investigates the violent culture of the Belarusian army. A group of friends soon to be enlisted go to rave parties and protest marches following the re-election of Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Hong Kong Mixtape
In the wake of the clampdown on Hong Kong's freedom, works by underground artists, musicians, dancers, illustrators and performance artists showcase how art can provide some of the most powerful forms of activism.
Best Peace Film Award
Honoring films that promote dialogue, healing, and reconciliation between communities in conflict.
Stamped from the Beginning
A hybrid documentary/scripted feature based on Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's National Book Award-winning work exploring the definitive history of racist ideas in America.
K - Number
Mioka, who was adopted from Korea to the United States as a child, has attempted to find her roots multiple times but failed repeatedly. Just as she was about to give up searching for her parents, she learns about 'Banet' from other adoptees, a Korean women's group that helps overseas adoptees find their roots, and enlists for their help.
Peace by Chocolate
Based on the inspiring true story of the Hadhad family, Syrian refugees who rebuilt their lives in Canada and established an artisanal chocolate shop, symbolizing hope, resilience, and reconciliation through shared humanity.
Best Women & Gender Equality Film Award
Celebrating films that champion women's rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls worldwide.
Origin
Author Isabel Wilkerson writes her seminal book "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" while coping with personal tragedy. A profound exploration of how caste systems create divisions and how understanding these roots can lead to healing and reconciliation.
Horoomon
Following Shin Suk-ok, a Zainichi women's rights activist, as she battles racism, environmental issues, and gender discrimination. The film bursts with cheerful energy while documenting three generations of Korean-Japanese women navigating identity and belonging.
Four Daughters
Between light and darkness stands Olfa, a Tunisian woman and the mother of four daughters. One day, her two older daughters disappear. Filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania invites professional actresses to fill in their absence in this powerful exploration of women's lives.
Nyad
The remarkable true story of athlete Diana Nyad who, at the age of 60 and with the help of her best friend and coach, commits to achieving her life-long dream: a 110-mile open ocean swim from Cuba to Florida.
Smoke Sauna Sisterhood
In the shadows of a smoke sauna, women exchange innermost secrets and intimate experiences, cleansing themselves of shame and rediscovering strength through communal connection.
Best Social Justice Film Award
Recognizing films that address systemic inequality, social justice movements, and the fight for a more equitable world.
Frankenstein of Korean Education
Park Do-soon, founder of Korea's Suneung exam, had himself failed his university entrance. This film examines how his creation—designed to end test-oriented education—was reshaped by pressures into a "Frankenstein's monster," questioning systemic educational inequality.
Pay Or Die
Three families struggle to afford insulin, one family battles lawmakers in Minnesota to regulate insulin prices following the death of their son who was unable to afford the medication, a mother and daughter rebuilding their lives after spending their money on insulin, and a young adult diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
War and Justice
A true-life thriller about the International Criminal Court (ICC) with unprecedented access to Ben Ferencz (prosecutor, Nuremberg Trials), Luis Moreno-Ocampo (ICC's first prosecutor), and Karim Khan (current prosecutor).
Theatre Of Violence
As a nine-year-old boy, Dominic Ongwen was abducted and conscripted into Joseph Kony's army of child soldiers. Some 30 years later, he is the first former child soldier to be indicted in the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes.
We Are Guardians
A poignant portrayal of the diverse group of indigenous people who endeavor to save what is left of the Brazilian Amazon. It dissects the economic drivers that fuel large-scale environmental destruction, while exposing the corruption and fighting for environmental justice.
Special Honours
Recognizing exceptional contributions to peace and human rights beyond the realm of cinema
Peace Organization of the Year
Honored for providing critical legal support to Ukrainian citizens during wartime, documenting human rights violations, and establishing emergency legal aid programs that have helped thousands of displaced families access justice and protection under international law.
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Peace Person of the Year
Recognized for founding Campaign for Uyghurs, testifying before US Congress on Xinjiang internment camps, and her courageous advocacy that led to her sister's detention by Chinese authorities. Her book "Unbroken: One Uyghur's Fight for Freedom" documents her journey from Xinjiang to international activism. A powerful voice for human rights who has brought global attention to the plight of Uyghur people.
Awards Ceremony & Screenings
All nominated films will be screened during the festival from October 24-26, 2025 in Busan. Winners of the five thematic award categories and two special honours will be revealed at the awards ceremony.
Award Categories
- ✓ Best Human Rights Film
- ✓ Best Democracy & Freedom Film
- ✓ Best Peace Film
- ✓ Best Women & Gender Equality Film
- ✓ Best Social Justice Film
- ⭐ Peace Organization of the Year
- ⭐ Peace Person of the Year
Encore Screenings
Award-winning films will have special encore screenings in:
- Busan – October 30, 2025
- Jeonju – November 2, 2025
- Seoul – November 5, 2025
For screening and ticket information, please contact us
Media Inquiries: press@pfawh.com