The Peabody Awards are a highly prestigious honor bestowed upon those who have achieved brilliance in radio, online media, and television. Named after American philanthropist and businessman George Peabody, the first-ever award ceremony occurred 83 years ago, on March 29, 1941.
Many consider the Peabody Awards as the radio industry’s version of the Pulitzer Prize. In total, there are seven categories of this program: children’s programming, education, interactive programming, news, entertainment, documentaries, and public service. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Peabody Awards Board of Jurors recently announced nominees for the Radio/Podcast, News, Public Service, and Documentary categories. Furthermore, reports suggest that 32 jurors selected these nominees from over 1,100 entries.
Below is the list of some documentaries that got nominated for this year’s edition of the Peabody Awards. Here is the entire list.
20 Days in Mariupol
The director of the Ukrainian documentary 20 Days in Mariupol is Mstyslav Chernov. It is based on the initial weeks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where the director and his colleagues spent several days in the fallen city of Mariupol. Once upon a time, this city was home to more than 400,000 people and the tenth-largest city in Ukraine. 20 Days in Mariupol has clips recorded by Chernov, along with PBS’s Frontline and the Associated Press footage.
Per IMDb, its synopsis reads, “As the Russian invasion begins, a team of Ukrainian journalists trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol struggle to continue their work documenting the war’s atrocities.”
20 Days in Mariupol won the Best Documentary Feature Film award at the 96th Academy Awards. Furthermore, it also won a Directors Guild of America Award.
All That Breathes
All That Breathes is perhaps Indian director Shaunak Sen’s most celebrated project. It involves two New Delhi-based brothers, Nadeem Shehzad, and Mohammad Saud, who look after and tend to the injuries of black kites. Interestingly, Saud and Nadeem have dedicated their lives to saving these magnificent birds of prey.
According to IMDb, All That Breathes’ synopsis reads, “Amidst the darkening backdrop of Delhi’s apocalyptic air and escalating violence, two brothers devote their lives to protect one casualty of the turbulent times: the bird known as the Black Kite.”
All That Breathes won the Golden Eye at the Cannes Film Festival. Furthermore, it is available to stream on Max.
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed is based on the life of activist, photographer, and artist, Nan Goldin. Currently 70 years old, Goldin is best known for exploring LGBT subcultures in her work. In addition, she played a huge role in the U.S. HIV/AIDS crisis and also rebelled against the infamous Sackler family. Its director is her long-time friend and fan, Laura Poitras.
Per IMDb, the synopsis of All the Beauty and the Bloodshed reads, “Follows the life of artist Nan Goldin and the downfall of the Sackler family, the pharmaceutical dynasty who was greatly responsible for the opioid epidemic’s unfathomable death toll.”
This documentary won the Golden Lion at the 79th Venice International Film Festival. It is available to stream on Max.
Bobi Wine: The People’s President
Bobi Wine: The People’s President showcases the presidential campaign of Bobi Wine, a Ugandan singer turned politician. In his campaign, he ran against Yoweri Museveni, the current president of Uganda since 1986. Bobi Wine’s real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu. Born in 1982, he is the leader of the National Unity Platform political party.
Bobi Wine: The People’s President’s synopsis, according to IMDb reads, “Follows Ugandan opposition leader, activist and musical star Bobi Wine. He used his music to fight the regime led by Yoweri Museveni, the person who led the country for 35 years.”
Bobi Wine: The People’s President is streaming on Disney+ worldwide. Furthermore, it became the Political Film of the Year 2024 at the latest edition of Cinema for Peace Awards.
The Eternal Memory
Chilean documentary The Eternal Memory explores the relationship between Augusto Góngora and Paulina Urrutia. Góngora, who recently passed away, was a renowned journalist, while his wife, Paulina, was an actress. Together for 25 years, this project explores Góngora’s struggles with Alzheimer’s disease and showcases how his wife looks after him.
According to IMDb, its synopsis reads, “Augusto and Paulina have been together for 25 years. Eight years ago, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Both fear the day he no longer recognizes her.”
Directed by Maite Alberdi, it won the Best Ibero-American Film Award at the 38th Goya Awards. The Eternal Memory is available to stream on Paramount+.
Independent Lens: Hidden Letters
Independent Lens: Hidden Letters showcases the story of two Chinese women who combat oppression by maintaining the Nüshu, a confidential calligraphy language which they use for communication. Its co-directors are Violet Du Feng and Zhao Qing.
According to Independent Lens’s official YouTube channel, its synopsis reads, “For centuries in China, the once-secret written language of Nüshu was calligraphed on folded fans and handkerchiefs as hidden letters so women could share stories and express solidarity in a repressive era when many women were denied literacy. Confronting patriarchy, two modern women find solace in Nüshu, rediscovering connections between traditional Chinese womanhood and contemporary feminism.”
This project won the International Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. Furthermore, it received the Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 Heartland International Film Festival.
Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage & Reckoning
Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage, and Reckoning is a three-episode documentary series that sheds light on the infamous Carol Stuart murder case. On October 23, 1989, Carol’s husband, Charles Michael “Chuck” Stuart Jr. shot his wife dead and blamed a black man for the entire ordeal. This project explores the murder and its complicated aftermath.
Per IMDb, its synopsis reads, “The ensuing investigation of a murder proves to be a lightning rod for the city, igniting decades-old racial tensions and brutal targeting amidst a media firestorm.”
The director of Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage, and Reckoning is Jason Hehir. It began streaming on HBO on December 4, 2023.
STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie
Directed by Davis Guggenheim, STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie delves into actor Michael J. Fox’s struggles with Parkinson’s disease. Michael J. Fox was immensely popular in the 1970s and 1980s, however, his career slowed down after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991. Currently 62, Fox has won several awards throughout his career, such as the Emmys, Golden Globes, and more.
STILL: A Michael J. Fox’s synopsis, according to IMDb reads, “Follows the life of beloved actor and advocate Michael J. Fox, exploring his personal and professional triumphs and travails, and what happens when an incurable optimist confronts an incurable disease.”
Streaming on Apple TV+ worldwide, this documentary won several awards at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards.
According to The Hollywood Reporter winners of Peabody Awards 2024 will be announced on May 9, 2024. Furthermore, the award ceremony will take place on June 9, 2024.
