The Golden Globes and the Artemis Rising Foundation are back in Cannes as partners for the second annual Golden Globes Prize for Documentary. Actor and producer Kelvin Harrison Jr. will join the jury and present the award, designed to put a spotlight on “impactful documentary storytelling,” during the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.
The award honors a filmmaker “whose work demonstrates exceptional storytelling and a meaningful contribution to documentary filmmaking, particularly in addressing urgent global and social issues.”
Harrison Jr. represents “a new generation of talent deeply committed to storytelling with cultural and social relevance,” the partners said. “His recent and upcoming work includes voicing Taka in Mufasa: The Lion King; portraying Jean-Michel Basquiat in Samo Lives and starring in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, coming to theaters this fall.”
Said the creative: “I’m honored to support this important prize and to celebrate the extraordinary documentary filmmakers whose work shines a light on urgent stories around the world.”
Finalists for the prize include filmmakers with a film either in the Official Selection of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, “side events or special screenings, each demonstrating a sustained commitment to documentary filmmaking.” The partners highlighted that the jury will therefore consider the following filmmakers: Steven Soderbergh, Pegah Ahangarani, Ron Howard, Christophe Dimitri Réveille, David Tryhorn & Ben Nicholas, Gessica Généus, Diego Luna, Alexander Murphy, and Leah Nelson.
Launched last year, the prize has been presented at such major international festivals as Cannes and Venice, “underscoring the Golden Globes’ and Artemis Rising Foundation’s shared commitment to elevating documentary storytelling on a global stage,” the partners said.
The honor went to Eugene Jarecki (The Six Billion Dollar Man) at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, with a jury including Tessa Thompson, while the award handed out at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, with a jury including Teo Yoo and Jharrel Jerome, was bestowed upon Ross McElwee (Remake).
The full jury for the honor at Cannes 2026 includes Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne, producer and Artemis Rising Foundation founder Regina K. Scully, producer and Impact Partners co-founder Geralyn White Dreyfous, and founder and CEO of Think-Film Impact Production, Danielle Turkov Wilson.
“We are proud to return to Cannes to honor an outstanding documentary filmmaker, and thrilled to have Kelvin join our jury this year,” said Hoehne. “His passion for meaningful storytelling makes him a natural addition to the jury, and reflects the Golden Globes’ continued commitment to innovation and to elevating documentaries on the global stage.”
Added Dreyfous: “With factual storytelling sitting on the sidelines instead of center stage, we hope this Prize will highlight the best of non-fiction narratives, storytelling, and elevate its importance.”
Said Scully: “We believe that meaningful documentary storytelling has the power to inspire fierce compassion and help shape a better future.”
The Golden Globes are operated by a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and THR parent Penske Media.
Harrison Jr. will unveil the latest winner at an invitation-only event on Monday, May 18 at the Plage des Palmes in Cannes. The evening, supported by Think-Film Impact Production, will include a panel discussion, award presentation and reception celebrating documentary filmmaking. The winner will receive a €10,000 ($11,790) cash award.
