Welcome to the
Rory Peck Awards

Established in 1995, these Awards recognise the most outstanding work by freelance journalists and filmmakers each year, highlighting the significant contribution by freelancers to the international media industry.

To see all shortlisted films in full, visit our Finalists & Winners page.

News Award

Sponsored by

This Award recognises the work of freelance journalists in the video coverage of a news event where the focus is on the immediacy of the story.

Judging Panel

  • Liz Corbin (Chair) – Deputy Media Director and Head of News, EBU
  • Georja Calvin-Smith – Presenter & Producer, France 24
  • Matt Cooke – Head of Partnerships & Training, Google News Labs
  • Pete Henderson – Director, Radiant Solar Limited & Co-Founder, Rory Peck Trust
  • Deborah Turness – Head of NBC News International

Finalists

Siddharth Bokolia & Ahmer Khan

Defending Kashmir: Anchar’s last stand against India’s control

Commissioned by The Guardian

Guillermo Galdos

Poor forced to collect Covid corpses for work in Peru

Commissioned by Channel 4 News

Raul Gallego Abellan

Hong Kong: The Umbrella on Fire


Commissioned by The Intercept

And the winner is…

News Features Award

This Award recognises the work of freelance journalists in video news features that take a more in-depth look at a story, beyond the immediacy of the news.

Judging Panel

  • Kiran Nazish (Chair) – Founding Director, Coalition for Women in Journalism
  • Rohit Kachroo – Security Editor, ITV News
  • Nisha Kapur – Senior News Editor, BBC News
  • Juliana Ruhfus – Senior Correspondent, Al Jazeera

Finalists

Olivier Jobard & Charles Emptaz

Ethiopian migrants make the desperate journey to Saudi Arabia via Yemen

Commissioned by France 24/ARTE

Ramon Campos & Alejandro Bernal

In Enemy Territory


Commissioned by Al Jazeera Witness

Elijah Kanyi

The Bullet And The Virus


Commissioned by BBC Africa Eye

And the winner is…

Sony Impact Award for Current Affairs

Sponsored by

This Award recognises the work of freelance journalists working in long-form current affairs video/film that examines a single issue, story or situation and has an impact on the viewer, policy or public awareness.

Judging Panel

  • Liliane Landor (Chair) – Head of Foreign News, Channel 4 News
  • Rozita Lotfi – Head of BBC Persian, BBC World Service
  • Rita Payne – Journalist and Media Consultant
  • Claus Pfeifer – Head of Connected Content Acquisition, Sony
  • Meera Selva – Director of the Journalist Fellowship Programme, Reuters Institute

Finalists

Olivier Sarbil & James Jones

On The President’s Orders

Commissioned by BBC

Fai Wan & Robin Barnwell

The Battle for Hong Kong

Commissioned by Channel 4

Sasha Joelle Achilli

Italy’s Frontline: A Doctor’s Diary

Commissioned by BBC

And the winner is…

Martin Adler Prize

Supported by

The Martin Adler Prize honours a local freelance journalist or field producer working in any medium whose work with international media outlets has made a significant contribution to newsgathering.

Judging Panel

This Award is judged by the Trustees of the Rory Peck Trust.

Finalists

Rohini Mohan

Based in India

Nominated by VICE News

Maha Hussaini

Based in Palestine

Nominated by Middle East Eye

Fadi Al Halabi

Based in Syria

Nominated by Channel 4 News

And the winner is…

Donate to help freelance journalists

The Trust is independent and relies on donations. The Rory Peck Awards is our annual fundraising event, raising vital funds to support freelancers around the world in times of crisis. With the event taking place online this year, we urge you to make a donation to our Assistance Fund in lieu of buying a ticket – it goes directly to freelance journalists when they need it the most.

Make a donation now →