ABOUT THE HENRY AWARDS
The Henry Awards honor documentaries that advance public understanding of the critical issues of our time and reflect high standards of journalistic ethics and integrity.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Henry Awards for Public Interest Documentary recognize nonfiction films and series that advance public understanding of urgent civic issues through rigorous journalism, ethical integrity, and courageous storytelling.
Guided by the principles of editorial independence, factual accuracy, and public accountability, the Henry Awards honor filmmakers whose work illuminates complex realities and empowers audiences—not only as viewers, but as citizens.
The awards prioritize films and series that embody the documentary form’s power to inform discourse, foster trust, strengthen civic health, and serve the public good.
A grand prize of $100,000 will be awarded annually, along with several cash prizes for finalists.
The Henry Awards are supported by Linda and John Henry and the John W. Henry Family Foundation, and administered by the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. Photo credit: Harvard Kennedy School.
DOCUMENTARY FILM IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
The goal of the Shorenstein Center’s Documentary Film in the Public Interest (DFPI) initiative is to inspire a documentary film practice and infrastructure that can contribute to strong societies. The initiative’s activities bridge thought and action. We bring together practitioners and researchers, journalists and documentary filmmakers, public policy leaders and technologists into a shared project to build a resilient, ethical field designed to serve the needs of the public.
SHORENSTEIN CENTER
The Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy is a Harvard Kennedy School research center dedicated to examining how essential information is created, conveyed, and consumed. We believe that improving the quality of public information and expanding access to it will bring about healthier, stronger, more peaceful societies. The Center pursues its core mission through original research, convening leaders in practice and scholarship, providing trainings and educational opportunities for students and media practitioners, and highlighting best practices across the fields of media and content production.
DFPI Faculty Director Nancy Gibbs, Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy Weinstein, DFPI Program Director Sara Archambault, and Shorenstein Center Executive Director Laura Manley at the 2025 Henry Awards. Photo credit: Martha Stewart.
2025 Henry Awards Grand Prize Winner Vinay Shukla (WHILE WE WATCHED) delivers a stirring acceptance speech. Photo credit: Martha Stewart.
Contact Us
For more information, contact us at [email protected].
