In order to insure that each film is studied and rated on an individual basis, DWBFF has instituted a system where entries do not compete against each other, but instead are recognized for their own individual merits.
For all intents and purposes, they compete against themselves:  each entry is judged on individual merits and scored on an inherent value system.

The judges focus is on your film when it is your turn to be evaluated, not on all the other films that are in cue: this insures that they will not have comparisons going on in their minds when they should be focusing entirely on YOU.

Judges score entries on a performance scale and winning entries are recognized and awarded not only for Best Of Show, but also for two Awards of Excellence levels, two Awards of Merit levels, a Kudos Endeavor Award, or no award.

Best of Show honors are granted to the top scoring entry/entries for each season;  Awards of Excellence are granted to entries with truly exceptional artistic and technical achievements; and Notable achievements are recognized at the Award of Merit and 'Kudos' award levels.

The number of awards granted at any given level will fluctuate based on the total number of entries received for each competition deadline.




Best Of Show
USA
 USA
 UK
 
Awakening In Taos
Docu-Drama/Biography, Feature Film;
 and Cinematography; Direction; Research; Editing;
Narration Talent (Ali MacGraw)
 
The Brainwashing Of My Dad
Political Psychology,
Domestic Feature Film;
and Research; Editing;
Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery,
Narration Talent (Matthew Modine)
Building Hope: The Maggie's Centres
Human Spirit, Foreign Feature Film;
Special Visionary Award:
 Maggie Keswick Jencks;
 Narration Talent (Gerda Stevenson);
 Cinematography; Editing; Direction;
 Viewer Impact: Inspirational




UK USA USA

The Sea and Me
Student Short, Environmental;
Cinematography; Editing,
 Viewer Impact: Inspirational
Stateless: Syrian Refugees in Detroit
Student Short, Social Issues; Editing;
Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery

The Sultan and The Saint
Docu-Drama/Religious Faith,
 Feature Film; and Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational, Cinematography, Research,
 Editing, Sound Editing,
Narration Talent (Jeremy Irons); Outstanding Excellence: Fight Choreography/Stunts;
Excellence: Set Design, Costume Design, Makeup





AUSTRALIA
 GERMANY
 New Zealand

The Magic Pill
Social Issues/Health, Foreign Feature Film; and Cinematography, Editing, Research, Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
When Paul came Over the Sea
Social Issues/Immigration, Foreign Feature; and Cinematography, Editing, Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery

A Fish Full Of Dollars
Environmental/Marine, Feature Film; and Cinematography, Editing, Direction, Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery, Narrationa Talent (Samuel Mason)




Netherlands
 USA
 USA

The Chocolate Case
Social Issues/Slavery, Feature Film; and Research, Editing, Direction, Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
 The Discarded
Environmental/Earth, Short Film; and Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Original Music, Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Land Grab
Social Issues/Environmental, Domestic Feature Film; and Cinematography; Direction; Editing; Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational




USA
 Russia
 USA

The Life, Blood and Rhythm of Randy Castillo
Human Spirit/Biography, Feature; and Editing, Research, Viewer Impact: Inspirational, Narration Talent (Lita Ford)
Mysterious Antartica
Human Spirit/Exploration, Feature; and Cinematography, Editing

Plant Codes, Unleashing Narture's Healing Power
Social Issues/Health, Domestic Feature Film; and Research, Editing, Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery; Excellence for Narration Talent, Environmental, Human Spirit, Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational




USA
 Denmark
 New Zealand

Present Moment
Human Spirit/Health, Short Film; and Editing; Viewer Impact: Inspirational/Motivational
Save Mom - Also in Africa
Social Issues/Health, Foreign Short Film; and Research, Editing, Direction, Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
The Solar Nation Of Tokelau
Environmental/Community, Feature Film; and Cinematography, Editing, Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational




BRAZIL
 SWEDEN

SWITCHBLADE - A Brazilian Battalion in the Gothic Line
Human Spirit/Veterans, Foreign Feature; Research; Direction; Editing; Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
Vamizi - Cradle of Coral
Wildlife, Feature Film; and Cinematography, Editing, Direction



Outstanding Excellence

All Love Schmidt Germany Human Spirit Feature; and Cinematography, Editing, Viewer Impact: Inspirational; Sound; Direction; Music
Assange Agenda Australia Social Issues Feature; and Editing; Research
C - A Celebration Of Life USA Human Spirit Feature; and Editing, Research, Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Celling Your Soul USA Social Issues Feature; and Editing
Connected State Of Palestine Environmental Short; Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Every Cook Can Govern: The life, impact & works of C.L.R. James UK Human Spirit, Biographical Feature; Editing; Research
Farther Along: The World of Donald Harington, Pt.2 USA Human Spirit Feature; and Editing
Get Lost: In Myanmar Canada Human Spirit Feature; and Editing, Narration Talent, Cinematography; Excellence in Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery; Special Mention: Entertainment Value/Original Series Concept
Hard To Believe USA Social Issues Feature; and Research; Editing; Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
HeavenKid Taiwan Human Spirit/Animation, Children's; and Editing, SFX Animation, Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Here's to Flint USA Social Issues Short; and Research; Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Hoda's Story State Of Palestine Human Spirit Feature; and Editing
In The Meadows USA Human Spirit Short; and Editing; Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspiration
Jat Jatin India Docu-Drama Feature; and Cinematography, Choreography, Ensemble Cast, Lead Actor and Lead Actress
Jungle Book Bear Germany Wildlife Feature; and Cinematography, Editing, Narration Talent (David Attenborough)
Killed By Auto: The Ephemeral Life of Guler Ugur and the Ubiquity of Vehicular Violence USA Social Issues Feature; Direction; Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Manufacturers Of Dreams Spain Social Issues Feature; and Cinematography; Editing
NOT FOR RENT! USA Social Issues Feature; and Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Return to Bosnia Australia Social Issues Feature, Cinematography, Direction, Editing
RiverBlue Canada Environmental Feature; and Cinematography; Research; Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Under The Stack USA Environmental Feature; and Editing, Research, Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Undocumented USA Human Spirit, Biographical Feature; Social Issues; Editing; Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery; Narration Talent (Jay O. Sanders)
Walk With Me USA Social Issues Short; and Editing; Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
Welcome to the Smiling Coast Netherlands Social Issues Feature; and Editing; Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery; Narration Talent (Francis Abdul Malik)



Excellence Award Winners
The 30th of May USA Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
A Bitter Legacy USA Social Issues Feature; and Research; Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
A Simpler Way USA Environmental Short; Outstanding Excellence for Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
After The Sewol Republic Of Korea Social Issues Feature
American Socialist: The Life and Times of Eugene Victor Debs USA Biography Feature; Research; Narration Talent (Amy Madigan)
Black Gold - The Trail To Standing Rock Bulgaria Original Score
Chaos In The Kalahari France Human Spirit Feature; and Editing; Original Score
Curiosity, Adventure and Love Philippines Human Spirit; Biography; Exceptional Merit for Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational, and Editing
Divided We Fall USA Social Issues Feature
The Eviction USA Social Issues Short
The Evil Within USA Research
The Human Library Spain Social Issues Feature; and Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Jack Panna UK Human Spirit Short; and Editing
Jerusalem In Line Israel Social Issues Feature; and Editing, Direction
Journey From War To Peace USA Human Spirit Short; Exceptional Merit for Social Issues and Editing
Karate In Ontario Canada Direction
Little Ray Of Hope Australia Environmental Short; and Editing, Narration Talent; Outstanding Excellence in Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Magic Tap Cloggers USA Cinematography 
My Brother's Voice Italy Human Spirit Feature
No Longer Our Homeland Germany Social Issues Feature; and Direction
THE PURSUIT: 50 Years in the Fight for LGBT Rights USA Social Issues Feature
Quiet Please USA Social Issues; Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Sing For Me Canada Cinematography; Exceptional Merit for Direction and Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
Sitting Is Not Good, I Want War France Social Issues Feature
Standing Rock USA Environmental, Student Short; and Cinematograpy; Editing
Tell me Mr. Lo Germany Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
Too Young To Wed USA Social Issues Short; and Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Until We Come Home USA Social Issues Short; Outstanding Excellence in Onscreen Talent: Motivational/Inspirational (Martin Sheen); Special Mention: Excellence In Public Service Awareness
Voices From Kaw Thoo Lei USA Social Issues Short, Experimental; and Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Worth The Wait USA Environmental Feature; and Cinematography; Editing
Yellowstone Germany Wildlife Feature; Editing; Outstanding Excellence for Cinematography


Exceptional Merit

Affecting Lives through Service USA Viewer Impact:Motivational/Inspirational
Bordetella pertussis and Whooping Cough Australia Environmental/Health PSA; and Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery; Excellence for SFX Animation
Congo Paradiso France Social Issues Feature 
Ella Ireland Human Spirit Short, Student; Viewer Impact: Inspirational
The Fa Boat Taiwan Human Spirit Short
Free Flight USA Wildlife Short
How Big Is A 9-Year-Old? Germany Biography Feature
Ichiro and the Wave Singapore Human Spirit Short; and editing
Itchi - my path Germany Biography Feature
Let Winds Blow Through You Canada Docu-Drama Short, Experimental; Excellence for Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Project Socialize USA Human Spirit Short; and Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery; Merit Award for Social Issues Short
Raising the Bar India Human Spirit Feature
Requires Review Australia Docu-Drama Short
Sanctity of Sanctuary: Paul Strauss and the Equinox Farm USA Environmental Feature; and editing, Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
Shash Jaa': Bears Ears USA Environmental Short
Sink or Swim: The Perilous Journey Ghana Docu-Drama Feature; Excellence for Ensemble Cast, and Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Six Guys, 6000 Miles USA Editing
The Least of These USA Social Issues Short; Excellence for Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
Twice Upon A Time USA Docu-Drama Short; and Social Issues Short;  Ensemble Cast; Excellence for Editing, Direction, and Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
We Are Brothers Netherlands Human Spirit Short; and editing
What's My Price USA Social Issues Feature; and Editing; Merit for Research and Viewer Impact: Inspirational/Motivational
White Rock Boxing USA Human Spirit Feature; and Editing
Yes, But That's Not All! UK Human Spirit Short; and Editing



Merit
104 Wrinkles Lebanon Biography Feature
A Pearl of the Revolution USA Environmental Short
A tale of water, palm trees and family United Arab Emirates Social Issues Feature
A WineMaker's Year USA Environmental/Nature Short
Arrows Of Fire Australia Human Spirit Feature
Big Rapids USA Human Spririt Short
Call for Justice Singapore Social Issues Short; Exceptional Merit for Viewer Impact: Inspirational
CHILDHOOD - A New Life in Les Petites Familles Switzerland Human Spirit Feature
Dancing With Hope USA Human Spirit Short; Social Issues Short; and Editing
Dignity Italy Human Spirit Short; Excellence for Cinematography
EnGaged - Carolyn Gage On Stage and Off USA Social Issues Short; Outstanding Excellence for Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Grampy U.K. Human Spirit Short; Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
The Healing Winds Canada Docu-Drama Feature
The Light Inside Greece Human Spirit/Biography Feature
In The Name Of Comedy USA Biography Short
Journey To Joyce's Village: Creating The Place of Hope Germany Human Spirit Feature, Exceptional Merit for Viewer Impact: Inspirational
Juan's Claws Columbia Human Spirit Short; Exceptional Merit for Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Kurdistan-Kurdistan Turkey Biography Feature; Kudos Endeavor for Human Spirit 
The Legend Of Fu Tang USA Human Spirit, Biographical Feature
The Obs: A Singapore Story Singapore Human Spririt Feature
OMW USA Original Score
Parties To Pacifiers USA Human Spirit Short; Exceptional Merit for Editing
Queen of the Road USA Biography Short
Remember everything, to not forget anyone Italy Social Issues Short 
Salto Mortale USA Biography Short
Sebastian Errazuriz: Monologues In the Artist's Studio USA Biography Short; and Editing
Status and Stigma South Africa Social Issues Feature
Strange Strangers Italy Social Issues Feature
Thalassemia: Life Without Boundaries USA Human Spirit Short; Exceptional Merit for Editing
With the Power of A Thousand Suns USA Human Spirit Short; and Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational


Kudos Endeavor
24 Hours Bulgaria Human Spirit Feature, Experimental
Ban Australia Environmental Short, Experimental
Black Tie White Tie USA Social Issues Feature 
Cities Of Anxieties Lebanon Social Issues Feature
Dusk China Human Spirit Short, Animated Experimental
Earn Your Salt USA Biography Short
The Flight of the Gypsy Nightingale USA Biography Feature
Heritage Hill Bride: The Murder of Shelley Speet Mills USA Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Homebound Canada Docu-Drama Short, Animated Experimental; Merit for Animation
The Interview USA Social Issues Short
Kuluut Netherlands Human Spirit Feature; Merit in Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational; Exceptional Merit in Original Score
Mass Swell USA Social Issues Short, New Media
Minding Mines In India U.K. Social Issues Feature, Experimental 
Mom USA Social Issues Short  
Portrait of a Cooperative USA Social Issues Short
Teacher Pay in NC USA Social Issues Short, Merit in Cinematography