On November 19, Warsaw will be the stage for the award ceremony of the 10th edition of the Harambee International Award: “Communicating Africa”. This biennial award recognizes the best documentaries and video clips that present an authentic and hopeful vision of the African continent. The initiative seeks to highlight both the difficulties and the hopes, the cultural wealth and the continuous effort for development in Africa, highlighting “the greatness of small stories”.
The Winners
From among 187 works presented by participants of various nationalities, the jury has selected the following winners in their respective categories:
Category “Professional Audiovisuals by Individuals”
MathMoms – Where Children Come to Learn by Gerald Schank
Motivation: For its extraordinary representation of female empowerment through education. The film shows how maternal love and community initiatives can create safer and more trusting spaces for learning, even in the most difficult environments. The documentary chronicles the profound impact of mathematical knowledge and personal growth, offering hope and transformation for the future of communities.
Category “Professional Audiovisuals from Non-Profit Organizations”
The Strength of the Unseen: Sierra Leone, The Right to Dream by Pedro Fernández Quiroga, Taio Gardey and Sol Buscaglia
Motivation: For its moving depiction of resilience in post-conflict Sierra Leone. The film highlights the profound impact of education in transforming lives marked by violence. Through clear narration, the documentary offers a message of hope, strength and solidarity, highlighting the often forgotten struggles of African nations in reconstruction.
Category “Audiovisuals by Young Creatives”
The Heartbeat of Budaka by Lornah Hope Apiyo
Motivation: For its powerful message of hope and the transformative role of individuals in rural African communities. The film highlights how personal commitment can promote progress even in the face of poverty, offering an inspiring portrait of Africa’s untapped potential.
Special Mentions
The jury has decided to award special mentions to the following documentaries:
- Life In Limbo by Michael Ansah (Ghana): For its in-depth exploration of the lives of refugees, highlighting the resilience and aspirations of those facing immense challenges, with a message of hope and empowerment.
- Playground by Wiktor Karbowiak and Maciej Pieczykolan (Kenya/Poland): For its authentic depiction of volunteering and community collaboration, highlighting the often-forgotten right of children to play and its positive impact on the community.
Award Ceremony
The award ceremony will take place on November 19 in Warsaw, during which the winners will be celebrated, and the award-winning works will be screened.
For more information, visit the web section of the Award and to see the winning documentaries, click here.
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Harambee Africa International is an ETS Foundation with headquarters in Rome, established in 2002 on the occasion of the canonization of Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei. Harambee seeks to contribute to valorizing the potential of the diverse realities of Sub-Saharan Africa through two main lines of action: strengthening the capacities of local human resources, supporting African entities in the implementation of projects in the sectors of basic education, vocational training, academic and business; and deepening knowledge about Africa to overcome stereotypes and contribute to a culture of coexistence and complementarity.
