Last Friday the much coveted Prix Europa for Best European Documentary and its €6,000 cash prize was handed out to the Swedish film No Burqas Behind Bars by Nima Sarvestani. The portrayal of life in a women's prison in Afghanistan has already grabbed eight international awards over the last year and is running for the International Emmy Awards to be handed out on November 24. The film was produced by Nima Film in co-production with SVT, NHK, DR, NRK and IKON, with support among others from Nordisk Film & TV Fond.
Two other Scandi docs won Special Commendations in the Prix Europa TV documentary category: Denmark’s The Agreement by Karen Stokkendal Poulsen (Bullit Film) and Sweden’s I Stop Time by Gunilla Bresky (Bob Film). The Finnish programme Syria-Faces of War (YLE) was named Best European Current Affairs film and Denmark’s television mogul and former DR Head of Drama Ingolf Gabold was given out the Prix Europa Lifetime Achievement Award.