The Berlin International Film Festival 2025 honors Holding Liat with the Best Documentary Award, while Sorda and Die Möllner Briefe win big in the Panorama Audience Awards.
Berlin [Germany], February 23: The Berlin International Film Festival 2025 honored Holding Liat, directed by Brandon Kramer, with the Best Documentary Award. The powerful film follows the emotional journey of an elderly couple navigating the trauma of their daughter’s kidnapping during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
According to the Berlinale synopsis, Holding Liat captures the real-life agony of Yehuda and Chaya, whose daughter, Liat, was forcibly abducted from her kibbutz by Hamas militants. The documentary highlights their desperate search for answers, the bureaucratic struggles with authorities, and their unwavering hope.
The Berlinale Documentary Award comes with a €40,000 prize, which is split between the film’s director and producer. Additionally, the award-winning documentary now qualifies for consideration in the Oscar® race for Best Documentary Feature.
This year, a total of 16 documentaries from various sections, including Competition, Berlinale Special, Panorama, Forum, and Generation, were nominated for the prestigious award.
Panorama Audience Award Winners Announced
In another highlight of Berlinale 2025, the festival announced the winners of the Panorama Audience Awards. Spanish drama Sorda (Deaf), directed by Eva Libertad, won the Best Feature Film award, while the German documentary Die Möllner Briefe (The Mölln Letters) took home the Panorama Dokumente prize.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sorda follows the story of Angela (Miriam Garlo) and her husband Héctor (Álvaro Cervantes) as they prepare for the birth of their child. Angela, who is deaf, faces internal and external struggles as she navigates the challenges of motherhood and her relationship with the hearing world.
The Berlin International Film Festival continues to showcase thought-provoking and socially relevant films, cementing its place as one of the most prestigious cinematic events in the world.