4 reasons we’re ending 2020 on a positive note

Reflecting on a year that none of us could have predicted, we wanted to end 2020 on a high. We’ve decided to pick out the things that have brought us joy and positivity in a year when we needed it most. We hope they make you smile as much as they did us.


Jon Snow was blown away by Maria Ressa’s courage
This year, we moved the annual One World Media Awards online with a ground-breaking new digital exhibition and speaker series. Over 1,600 people joined us from 88 countries to celebrate and spotlight the incredible work of filmmakers and journalists all over the world. Watching Jon Snow interview our Special Award winner, Maria Ressa, wide-eyed and in awe of her resilience and courage, is something we will never forget.

Visit the online Awards exhibition

 


Our Fellows had their films screened at Bertha Dochouse
We welcomed 20 new, talented filmmakers and journalists to our Fellowship programme in 2020. Though in many cases filmmaking plans ground to a halt, monthly group Zoom check-ins were an endless source of inspiration and collaboration. A virtual film night with Bertha Dochouse was the icing on the cake for our Fellowship family – showcasing films from 4 of our Fellows and a fascinating live Q+A with the filmmakers.

Re-watch the Dochouse Q+A

 


Global Short Docs Forum worked across 11 timezones
Back for its third year, the Global Short Docs Forum–Digital Edition was an incredible whirlwind of masterclasses, mentoring and film pitching. A silver lining to the digital nature of this year’s forum was that we were joined by our most international cohort yet. From sunrise in San Diego to midnight in Manila, it required logistical gymnastics to arrange, but was worth every second!

Meet the filmmakers

 


We launched a live TV channel – on Instagram!
Like many, the OWM team had to become digital event experts overnight. Navigating the pitfalls and promises of Zoom parties and frozen screens, we delivered an ambitious digital events calendar. Every occasion was a brilliant excuse to bring our community together again; from an international online summit and virtual film screening, to our brand new OWM in Conversation IGTV Series with this year’s award winners.

Catch up on our IG Live series

 

See you next year for another jam-packed programme of events, a new Fellowship cohort, even more short doc filmmakers and the 33rd Annual OWM Awards!

All the best,
The OWM Team


A huge thank you to all of our partners who make the work of One World Media possible.