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.

USA	CANADA	USA
Women of 1915 Bared Maronian Human Spirit (Domestic) Award Of Outstanding Excellence: Direction: Bared Maronian Award Of Outstanding excellence: Research	Beyond Crisis Kai Reimer-Watts Environmental (Foreign)	Fate of the Mustang  Hyatt Mamoun Environmental (Domestic)
NO TRAILER AVAILABLE The epic journey of women survivors of the Armenian Genocide and the odyssey of the relentless European and North American human rights advocates who empowered them.	BEYOND CRISIS is a story of hope for a rapidly changing world: a meditative call to action that explores what it means to be living in this new era of climate change, as told by over fifty diverse voices from across Canada, the U.S. and beyond. The film is also a unique conversation piece: a grassroots model for what a healthy conversation on climate could look like, inspiring YOU to take the next steps in discussing these issues with your friends, community and loved ones. The reality of climate change may be frightening, but there is good news. Diving into the dramatic climate and energy story unfolding all around us today, this film paints an inspiring vision of the better world we could be building together – if we find the courage to face our shared global crisis, saying YES to a far safer, more sustainable and more compassionate clean energy future. Beyond Crisis is a story of truth that bridges both poetry and science, intellect and the human heart – a beacon of hope to all people who are searching for an inspiring path beyond climate change, and a future we can actually believe in. A hand-crafted portrait of a growing social movement united by our shared crisis, this film empowers YOU to continue the world’s tough climate discussions at home, in school and in your community - to build a #SafeClimateFuture for all of us.	In the American West, wild mustangs roam free. But their freedom, even existence, is threatened. It is now said that these horses are overpopulated; and compete with cattle and wildlife for food. If we do not find a solution to this problem, these horses could be needlessly slaughtered: taken off the range by helicopter and shipped off to slaughterhouses for profit. However, this is not the only possible outcome. There are many other solutions to this problem, such as contraceptives and adoption. Slaughter is not the answer; it is a quick fix that makes money. This documentary uncovers the truth about these beautiful horses, and the atrocities slated to be done to them. The film also highlights the efforts done to protect these horses and the amazing people who dedicate their lives to finding solutions to the problem. Through this film, we hope to initiate conservation of these horses through education.

USA	USA	CHINA
Last of the Big Tuskers James Currie Wildlife/Nature/Animals (Domestic) Award of Outstanding Excellence: Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational	A Dying King Bobak Kalhor Revolution and Reform (Domestic)	Searching for the Lotus-Born Master Laurence Brahm Biography (Foreign) BOS Human Spirit: Outstanding Excellence Science: Outstanding Excellence Travel/Culture/Arts: Excellence
In December of 2013 the largest elephant in the world was seen for the last time. His name in Zulu was Isilo, which means “king of kings”. Conservationists searched months on end for his body until in late March of 2014 the carcass of the giant was found in the African bush, his magnificent nine-foot tusks GONE. Tom Mahamba was one of the last people to see Isilo alive in Tembe Elephant Park, the place he calls home on the South African side of the border with Mozambique. A big tusker elephant is an elephant with at least one tusk weighing 100 pounds or more. Only 100 years ago, thousands roamed the wilds of Africa. Sadly today only 22 remain. Last of the Big Tuskers focuses on the last of these iconic animals and what is being done to keep them safe.	An expose of the last King of Iran’s medical story, revealing the sequence of events that led to his downfall, “A dying King” voices the puzzling mystery that changed the future history of the Middle East and the world.	A documentary expedition team crosses the Himalayas retracing the footsteps of the "Lotus-Born Master," an Eight Century guru considered the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The expedition seeks to prove the legend true, discovering that he may also be the founding father of quantum physics.

USA	USA	MALTA
Good Karma: An Immigrant Story Kevin Flint Biography (Domestic)	Beasts of Burden Daniel Mason Social Issues (Domestic)	KANNIZZATI FISHING Maurice Micallef Wildlife/Nature/Animals (Foreign)
Inspired into action after a deadly earthquake devastates his native Nepal, a successful Wall Street analyst living the American dream returns home to help rebuild his ravaged country and create social change.	The film explores the complicated and dangerous business of "Elephant Tourism" in Thailand and surrounding countries. Every year millions of tourists from around the world visit Thailand in hopes of relaxing on the most beautiful beaches in the world, eating delicious street food, and seeing these incredible animals up close. Little thought is given to how these animals came to be in the tourism industry or how they are treated. Less thought is given to the working conditions of the Mahouts who care for these massive animals 24/7, for little to no pay, and who sometimes have to place them selves between tired and overworked Elephants and Tourists.	Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers.

CHINA	USA	AUSTRIA
Song of the Wilderness Hua Yu Human Spirit (Foreign)	Eyes of Amhara Neil Riha Health (Domestic)	Curing the Incurable? Gary Null Health (Foreign) BOS   Docu-drama Feature (foreign) Excellence
NO TRAILER AVAILABLE The 70-year-old Mother Xu travelled 200km to the mountain area of Yimeng, Shandong province, far way from her own children. She lived in a cottage without a rooftop while taking care of Fan Jianxiu, a paralytic. Despite the sarcasm and ridicules, she persevered in looking after Fan for ten years as if it was one day. Yet still the sound of her praises spead out and rising from the wilderness. Mother Xu spent miserable childhood during the war against the Japanese and she lost her mind after seeing her loved ones killed before her own eyes. Subsequently, a unique experience prompted her to embark on a journey of life transformation. After many years of searching, she finally found a place of spiritual rest and her life was totally transformed. A Faith that is supernatural, holy and merciful was revealed through an original and true account. As the main photographer and director, throughout these five years recording and interviewing, Huayu witnessed how the power of faith changed people’s life. From the recorder’s angle, she is presenting this simple and extraordinary story.	Doctors from San Francisco and Ethiopia travel to the remote highlands of the Amhara Region of Ethiopia to treat blindness.	NO TRAILER AVAILABLE For more than 35 years Gary Null has been one of the foremost voices of the health movement with radio programs on Pacifica radio stations KPFK, WPFW, WBAI, and WABC, as well as ABC national radio. He founded the web based Progressive Radio Network, with an average of 180,000 listeners weekly. Gary, along with leading experts, examines a wide range of topics from food production, alternative healing, politics and our economic system. Gary has aired many of his documentaries on PBS.   Gary uses well-researched scientific information to support his points of view. Gary has done an original investigative reporting series on a regular basis and has published over 100 original investigative articles. He has also published over 100 books. Gary Null has directed many  film & video documentaries.

FRANCE	CHILE	UK
"a land shaped by women" Anne-Flore Marxer Social Issues (Foreign) BOS Human Spirit: Outstanding Excellence Award Of Outstanding Excellence: Cinematography	The Big Picture Diego Errazuriz Science (Foreign)	Transamazonica Peiman Zekavat Travel/Culture/Arts (Foreign) Award Of Excellence: Direction
The two Snowboard World Champions Anne-Flore Marxer (SUI/FRA) and Aline Bock (GER) are honored to announce the release of their latest film project « a land shaped by women » The movie is an inspirational depiction of their journey across Iceland, where the two Freeride World Champions explore the country in a van through the adventure sports they are passionate about: snowboarding and surfing. On the road they meet inspirational Icelandic women to understand their mindset living in a country with a rich history in gender equality. As their travel unfolds, playing in the mountains, in the waves or under the spectacular northern lights, they introduce viewers to the iconic Icelandic women they met along the way. The movie is empowering women and bringing a feminine narrative to the outdoor practice, it brings gender equality in the front of the debate. Anne-Flore adds: “We wanted to bask in the positive vibes of the Icelandic women’s movement and inspire to embrace a new mindset to a different kind of adventure!” Gender equality has a long history and a special status in Iceland. As professional snowboarders who’ve fought hard for gender parity in a male-dominated sport throughout their careers, Anne-Flore Marxer and Aline Bock wanted to dig deeper into Icelandic women’s mindset while combining it with their love for the mountains and the waves. Anne-Flore and Aline talk about the women they met: „The Icelandic women we met are highly empowering. As soon as we arrived we had the chance to meet Katrin Oddsdóttir, a human rights lawyer who took part in writing Iceland's new constitution. She works towards creating a society with more equality. We received motivational tips from Vilborg Arna Gissurardóttir, the first Icelander who has reached the summit of Mount Everest, she is a true explorer who has crossed the South Pole single-handedly. In the north we went snowboarding with Heida Birgisdóttir, Iceland's first surfer, one of the first snowboarders and the founder of the iconic women’s board sports clothing brand Nikita. Her modest, relaxed manner and dedication to doing the things she loves reminds us that women do not necessarily have to impose a strong character in order to achieve big goals and follow their dreams. Last but not least we met Una Torfadottir, a young woman who wrote a poem that will make you shiver about the way our society judges women on their looks and how it affects young women. Through our journey we received empowering testimony on some of the biggest women’s related issues of today.” About Iceland: Iceland has long held the nuance of the most beautiful landscapes, perfect playground for split boarding through the mountains, incredible surf sessions in the cold water and hiking under the most spectacular northern lights. The country has led an important role in the modern history of equal rights, being the first country in the world to elect a female president on universal suffrage. Iceland ranks first in the United Nation’s gender equality index and has done so nine years consecutively..	Ten years after seeing Saturn through his telescope, a young amateur decides to go in search of the history of the Universe and embarks on a journey that takes him to meet some of the world's leading cosmologists. How did it all begin? What is the future of the Universe? and How does this knowledge affect our outlook on life? These are some of the questions that these historians of the Universe ponder in this journey of discovery.	Environmental destruction; economic degradation; cultural dissolution – though these topics dominate the media, they are often ignored in the one place where they wreak the greatest damage. The Amazon. Adventurer and film-maker Reza Pakravan joins journalist Phillippa Stewart to investigate the perils faced by the Amazon, and to experience the greatest rainforest on earth in a unique and breath-taking voyage along the Transamazonian Highway. Travelling the road by bicycle and the river by boat, they discover the fragility of ‘the lungs of the planet’ and the toilsome lives of those who call it home.

Behind bars are trees of green	Poland	Docu-Drama Feature	Outstanding Excellence
BEYOND THE SILENCE	USA	Health	Outstanding Excellence
BRUSH...painted forward	USA	Health	Outstanding Excellence Award Of Excellence:Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
Creekwalker	Germany	Environmental	Outstanding Excellence
Day of the Western Sunrise	USA	Human Spirit	Outstanding Excellence
From Cairo To The Cloud	Canada	Travel/Culture/Arts	Outstanding Excellence Award Of Excellence: Editing. Award Of Outstanding Excellence: Research
Sharp Tools	United Arab Emirates	Biography	Outstanding Excellence Award Of Excellence:Editing Award Of Excellence: Original Score Award Of Excellence: Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
Hozho, in beauty we walk	France	Human Spirit	Outstanding Excellence
Journey to Hope	USA	Human Spirit	Outstanding Excellence
Living with the Oceans	UK	Environmental	Outstanding Excellence
Protection	AU	Docu-drama Feature	Outstanding Excellence Award of Outstanding Excellence: Editing Award of Excellence: Original Score
The Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle	USA	Wildlife/Nature/Animals	Outstanding Excellence
The Push	USA	Human Spirit	Outstanding Excellence Award Of Outstanding Excellence: Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
Urban Inferno: the Night Santa Rosa Burned	USA	Human Spirit	Outstanding Excellence
Welcome To Malta	Malta	Docu-drama Short	Outstanding Excellence
Windows of Change	USA/Mozambique	Social Issues	Outstanding Excellence Award Of Excellence:Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
An Eaglet's First Flight	USA	Wildlife/Nature/Animals	Outstanding Excellence

A Racing Heart	Canada	Human Spirit	Excellence
A.E Wells- A Man and His Park	USA	Biography	Excellence Award Of Excellence: Narration Talent
Against All Odds	UK	Sports	Excellence
A sense of place	Canada	Social Issues	Excellence
Back to the Fatherland	USA	Docu-drama Feature	Excellence
Bahia	Colombia	Environmental	Excellence Award Outstanding Excellence: Cinematography
BAXTER AND ME	AU	Wildlife/Nature/Animals	Excellence Award of Excellence: Original Score, Elizabeth Drake Composer Gillian Leahy and Sue Brooks for final song in film
Dead Dog on the Left	USA	Human Spirit	Excellence
Death by a Thousand Cuts: The Great NHS Sell-Off	Germany	Health	Excellence
DETAINED	USA	Social Issues	Excellence
devin'sversion/A documentary dance film on Autism	USA	Human Spirit	Excellence
Eastern Kentucky: Appalachian Spring	USA	Wildlife/Nature/Animals	Excellence Award Of Excellence: Cinematography
Edek	UK	Human Spirit	Excellence
Falling Freetown	UK	Environmental	Excellence
Food in the woods	Paraguay	Environmental	Excellence
Get Riel	UK	Travel/Culture/Arts	Excellence
HANAA	Italy	Social Issues	Excellence
Home of Mephibosheth	USA	Social Issues	Excellence
Indivisible	USA	Revolution and Reform	Excellence
It's What We Do - A Play about the occupation	USA	Social issues	Excellence
Leaving Memel - Refugees from the Reich	USA	Docu-drama Feature	Excellence
Let Us Dance	French Polynesia	Social Issues	Excellence
L'insolito Incontro (AN UNUSUAL MEETING)	Germany	Docu-Drama Feature	Excellence
Major "Doc" Brown	USA	Docu-drama Short	Excellence
MEGHA...A SONG OF SILENCE	India	Docu-drama Short	Excellence Award Of Excellence: Direction
Mexican Wave	UK	Revolution and Reform	Excellence Award Of Excellence: Direction, Judson Vaughan
Mr Mainline Steam	New Zealand	Human Spirit	Excellence
Negotiating with Nature	USA	Environmental	Excellence
Orphans of the Land	Spain	Social Issues	Excellence Award Of Excellence: Research
Outcaste - The House that Carol Built	UK	Social Issues Human Spirit	Excellence Both Categories
Oyster	AU	Environmental	Excellence
Project Home: Shifting Faces	USA	Social Issues Human Spirit
Real Man - Doc	Brazil	Docu-drama Short	Excellence Award Of Exceptional Merit: Original Score
Rio Doce: Stories of a Tragedy	Brazil	Social Issues	Excellence
Songs of Injustice: Heavy Metal Music in Latin America	Puerto Rico	Social Issues	Excellence
Stories of Refuge	USA	Social Issues	Excellence
The American War	USA	Docu-drama Feature	Excellence
The Born Free Generation, Phendulani’s Story and Me	UK	Youth Issues	Excellence
The Four Loves	Belgium	Travel/Culture/Arts	Excellence
THE MAN OF THE TREES	Italy	Environmental	Excellence
The Other Side	Brazil	Human Spirit Social Issues	Excellence Both Categories
The Tyranny of Distance	USA	Health	Excellence
The War on You: Why Kill Kratom?	USA	Health	Excellence Award Of Merit: Narration Talent
Thunder and Dust	AU	Sports	Excellence Award Of Excellence: Original Score
UNCONTAINED LOVE : LOVE > FEAR	AU	Human Spirit	Excellence Award of Excellence: Viewer Impact: Message Delivery
Uzzi	Israel	Social Issues Human Spirit	Excellence Both Award Of Exceptional Merit: Cinematography, Ido Weisman
WARD: B12	USA	Health	Excellence
Warpath - The Road to States	USA	Sports	Excellence
When the World Changed	USA	Social Issues	Excellence

A Country that Can't Fall Asleep, Haiti	Republic Of Korea	Social Issues Youth Issues	Exceptional Merit BOTH
A dignified death	Netherlands	Health	Exceptional Merit
Another Shore	UK	Social Issues	Exceptional Merit
Ballerina A One Woman Play	USA	Biography	Exceptional Merit Award Of Exceptional Merit: Narration Talent Award Of Exceptional Merit: Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
Bigly Yellow	AU	Health	Exceptional Merit
Children of the Dig	USA	Environmental	Exceptional Merit
Chinese Incense	USA	Travel/Culture/Arts	Exceptional Merit
Cuba, Libre?	USA	Travel/Culture/Arts	Exceptional Merit
Dizhsa Nabani	USA	Social Issues	Exceptional Merit
Drum Speak	USA	Travel/Culture/Arts	Exceptional merit
Explosion Theory	Russia	Human Spirit	Exceptional Merit Award Of Excellence: Research
FORGOTTEN	USA	Docu-drama Feature	Exceptional Merit
GAUZE: Unraveling Global Healthcare	USA	Health	Exceptional Merit
God's River	USA	Environmental	Exceptional Merit
Great Highway	USA	Sports	Exceptional Merit
Guatemala 1982	USA	Biography	Exceptional Merit
Guernica	UK	Animation/Docu-drama Short	Exceptional Merit
Hidden	UK	Docu-Drama Short	Exceptional Merit
higher than the earth	Germany	Human Spirit	Exceptional Merit
Home Beyond the Water	USA	Environmental	Exceptional Merit
I REMEMBER...	India	Docu-drama Feature	Exceptional Merit
In the Year of the Dog	USA	Travel/Culture	Exceptional Merit
Libertad Beirut	France	Social Issues	Exceptional Merit
Little Bang's New Eye	AU	Health	Exceptional Merit
Love Separated in Life...Love Reunited in Honor	USA	Docu-drama Short	Exceptional Merit
METHADONE: Painted into a Corner	Canada	Docu-drama Short	Exceptional Merit Award Of Excellence: Motivational/Inspirational
Me duele la Memoria	Switzerland	Revolution and Reform	Exceptional Merit
Monger	Argentina	Social Issues	Exceptional Merit
My Life with Proteus	USA	Docu-drama Short	Exceptional Merit
naomi	Israel	Docu-drama Feature	Exceptional Merit
O'Chau!	Viet Nam	Environmental	Exceptional Merit
Of rocks and needles	Germany	Docu-drama Short	Exceptional Merit Award Of Excellence: Cinematography
Overcome	Canada	Human Spirit	Exceptional Merit
Passage of Silt and Shell	USA	Environmental	Exceptional Merit
Pure Art - the Work of Franklin Williams	USA	Travel/Culture/Arts	Exceptional Merit
Refugee Roads	Germany	Social Issues	Exceptional Merit
Reinventing Rosalee	USA	Human Spirit	Exceptional Merit
Remember My Soul	USA	Social Issues	Exceptional Merit
Rock Paper Scissors	Israel	Biography	Exceptional Merit
Singled [Out]	Spain	Social Issues	Exceptional merit
Smacked	USA	Social Issues	Exceptional Merit
Special Envoy	India	Biography	Exceptional Merit
Strangers Ourselves	Canada	Human Spirit	Exceptional merit
Suspended and the Art of Forgiveness	Canada	Human Spirit	Exceptional Merit
Syria's Tent Cities	USA	Revolution and Reform	Exceptional Merit
The Canvas	Italy	Social Issues	Exceptional Merit
The Commute	UK	Health	Exceptional Merit
The Court Martial of Apache Kid	USA	Docu-drama Feature	Exceptional Merit Award of Excellence: Research
The Day Before Yesterday	Netherlands	Human Spirit	Exceptional Merit
The Eight - TV pilot	USA	Sports	Exceptional merit
The End of Remembrance?	Switzerland	Revolution and Reform	Exceptional Merit
The Filmmaker	Brazil	Biography Human Spirit	Exceptional Merit Both Categories
The Sakada Series	USA	Travel/culture	Exceptional merit
The True North Project	Canada	Travel/Culture/Arts	Exceptional Merit
The Uganda Project	USA	Social Issues	Exceptional Merit
They will come to you	Italy	Youth Issues	Exceptional Merit
Thunder and Dust	AU	Sports	Exceptional Merit Award Of Excellence: Original Score
To Kill a King	Sweden	Docu-drama Feature	Exceptional merit
Urban Nomads	Mongolia	Environmental	Exceptional merit
When school broke out of prison	Finland	Revolution and Reform	Exceptional Merit

Al Ghorba	USA	USA	Merit
Bam Bam	AU	Sports	Merit
Calls From Home	USA	Social Issues	Merit
Dr. Trash	UK	Docu-drama Short	Merit
DS Bicycles	USA	Human Spirit	Merit
Extraordinary Vision	USA	Human Spirit	Merit
Faraway Land	Spain	Social Issues	Merit
Flowers of Marrakech	USA	Travel/Culture/Arts Social Issues	Merit Both Categories Award Of Exceptional Merit: Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational
Football is my religion	Hungary	Sports	Merit
Gender Equality: Starting the Conversation	USA	Social Issues	Merit Award Of Exceptional Merit: Direction, Jamie Song
Gushegu Exile	Denmark	Travel/Culture/Arts	Merit
HEGEL'S ANGEL	Canada	Human Spirit	Merit
Hope	Turkey	Revolution and Reform	Merit
If Walls Could Talk	UK	Environmental	Merit
In the Shadow of the Glen	Ireland	Social Issues	Merit
Los Joyas De La Boquilla	USA/Colombia	Human Spirit	Merit
Love & Fear	Ireland	Travel/Culture/Arts	Merit
Love Always, Alex	USA	Human Spirit	Merit
Marked	Serbia	Revolution and Reform	Merit
Mexican American Heritage: Revised	USA	Docu-drama Short	Merit Award Of Exceptional Merit: Editing
Mino Bimaadiziwin: Good Life	USA	Social Issues	Merit
Nets of Memory (Líonta na Cuimhne)	USA	Travel/Culture/Arts	Merit
Never trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.	UK	Human Spirit	Merit
Nuestro País (Our Country)	USA	Social Issues	Merit
Parked	Norway	Social Issues	Merit
Pursuit of Justice	USA	Revolution and Reform	Merit
Russell Jim, A Quiet Warrior	USA	Environmental	Merit
Songs of Our Memories	USA	Travel/Culture/Arts	Merit
Taking out Chinese from Chinese take out	USA	Social Issues	Merit
The Art of Adapting - Parkinson's	USA	Human Spirit	Merit
The President's Bodyguard	UK	Biography	Merit
The Mystical Migration of the Monarch Along the Gulf Coast	USA	Wildlife/Nature/Animals	Merit
This is our land	Belgium	Social Issues	Merit
Visitor	Denmark	Social Issues	Merit

SOS Poseidon	USA	Environmental	Kudos Endeavor Award Of Exceptional Merit: Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery
Point of no return - Badagry Slavery Tools	Nigeria	Docu-Drama Short	Kudos Endeavor

SUB CATEGORIES

All I See is the Future	USA	Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational	Excellence
Between steps	Romania	Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational	Excellence
Boomer Bands	USA	Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational	Excellence
Enemies of Peace - Preventing the Next War in the Middle East	USA	Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery	Outstanding Excellence
Enticing Sugary Boundless or songs and dances about death	USA/Ukraine	Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery Editing	Excellence BOTH sub-categories
Girl of my dreams	Canada	Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery	Excellence
Hearts of Steel	Canada	Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational	Excellence
I Remember Nicole	USA	Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational	Outstanding Excellence
Louie (KR.ONE) Gasparro 5POINTZ	AU	Cinematography	Exceptional Merit
Rhubarb Records	AU	Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational	Exceptional Merit
Punching the city	Italy	Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational	Excellence