Sandford St Martin 2026 Award Winners
At the Sandford St Martin Trust, we have consistently maintained that public service broadcasters occupy a critical position in promoting religious literacy. The exceptional quality of this year’s Award winners clearly showcase the depth and value of broadcasting about belief and ethics and its contribution to the broader media landscape. Each exemplifies the highest standards of professional excellence and reflects the power of this genre to deepen our understanding of ourselves and one another—our beliefs, cultures, and shared public life. You can read more about this year’s winners and runners-up below.
Click here to see all the entries shortlisted for the 2026 Awards or meet our 2026 Judges here
TV/Video Award: ETERNAL SPRING: THE HEIST OF CHINA’S AIRWAVES
Lofty Sky Entertainment for Storyville, BBC Four
In 2002, a group of Falun Gong practitioners in China came up with an audacious plan to hit back at the government’s crackdown on their faith. They hijacked the airwaves, broadcasting a video promoting their spiritual movement on state television.
Now, more than two decades later, Eternal Spring explores the aftermath of that brazen stunt, with Canadian writer-director Jason Loftus following comic book artist (and Falun Gong practitioner) Daxiong. Featuring vivid animation based on Daxiong’s drawings, the film recounts how their plan succeeded, but soon the authorities retaliated, and Daxiong left his homeland.
Our judges felt this documentary was “completely arresting and original“, a film that “really pushed the boundaries of the genre…so brave in its creative endeavour”.
Radio/Audio Award: THIRTY EULOGIES
Falling Tree Productions for BBC Radio 4
The story of how a heterosexual, Indian immigrant to England, ignorant of the gay scene, ended up delivering heartfelt eulogies to 30 homosexual men at the height of the AIDS crisis. The experiences of Suresh Vaghela take us behind the headlines of the infected blood scandal and into a transformative relationship between a hemophiliac and the people who he came to regard as his new family.
Our judges said this entry was compelling, and “was an unexpected, very personal story beautifully told by Saresh” that “revealed so much about relationships and man’s humanity – or lack of it.”
Journalism Award: RTÉ INVESTIGATES: CHRISTIAN BROTHERS – THE ASSETS, THE ABUSERS
RTÉ Investigates examines the Christian Brothers’ handling of their wealth and assets, as they continue to fail victims of abuse. In advance of a promised Irish state Commission of Investigation into historical abuse in schools, the programme drew public attention to the scale of the abuse, its effect on victims, and how the Christian Brothers reacted to it as a religious congregation, a charity, and a group of companies.
Our judges praised the rigorous and well-evidenced journalism, calling it “a powerful watch“; one judge said “Journalistically, it is a winner.”
Young Audience Award: SKY KIDS INVESTIGATES: WORLD. WAR. ME.
Fresh Start Media for Sky News
450 million children are living in conflict zones worldwide – around one in six of all children. 16 year old Bana Alabed, herself a refugee from Syria, explores what life is like for children affected by current wars in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan. She hears how many, like her, are forced from their homes, suffer fear and trauma and may even receive terrible injuries. Bana has just won the International Children’s Peace Prize for her anti-war campaigning work which began during the war in Syria when she was just 7. 14 year old Andrii, a refugee from Ukraine, recently addressed the UK Parliament and takes up the anti-war message in the documentary.
Our judges were impressed by the powerful storytelling and loved hearing the young contributors’ voices; one judge described this entry as “heartfelt, informative and timely.“
Radio Times Readers’ Award: LONG LOST FAMILY SPECIAL– THE MOTHER AND BABY HOME SCANDAL
A deeply moving special shares the stories of women who, as unmarried teenagers, were sent to England’s Mother & Baby Homes, and who now search for the children taken for adoption. Across two emotional episodes presenters Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell uncover the full story of England’s Mother and Baby Homes which dealt with the ‘problem’ of unmarried, pregnant women from the 1940s to the 1970s. Using deep dive archive research it identifies – for the first time – that the British Government funded around 170 Mother and Baby Homes across England.
2026 Runners Up
TV/Video: Saving Mum: Our Family Secret
Story Tell-Her Studios and Dancing Ledge Productions for Channel 4
In a raw emotional reckoning, British South Asian filmmaker Maleena Pone tries to repair a complicated relationship with her mum, confronting a legacy of silence, alcohol dependency and grief. Our judges were profoundly moved by this courageous programme which they described as an “astonishing achievement”, “engaging and authentic” and a “really brave, powerful film.”
Radio/Audio: Assisted Dying, the debate beyond the bill
The Weekend Intelligence, Economist Podcasts
Georgia Banjo’s personal exploration of assisted dying tackles fundamental questions about dignity, suffering, and what makes life worth living: questions that matter across all faiths and beliefs. The judges praised this entry as being “properly outstanding“, and a “deep and nuanced exploration of these ethical issues”.
Journalism Joint Runners Up:
Abusing Muslims is not going to fix this country – rising hate in the UK
Hate crimes are rising around the UK, after a summer of flags going up on lamp-posts across the country and racist riots in 2024. Taj Ali is a Muslim journalist who has been collating evidence of these attacks. Even in big diverse areas there is a sense of fear, but what is life like for smaller ethnic minority communities in smaller towns? Our judges commended this film for being “thought-provoking and brave”.
When Christian nationalists come to town
Crossing Continents, BBC Radio 4
People in Gainesboro, Tennessee, have some new neighbours. A conservative developer has bought land just outside the tiny rural Appalachian town, with the aim of forging an ‘aligned’ community based on shared values like ‘faith, family and freedom’. This small town of 900 people has become a symbol of the next frontier of America’s political warfare. Is the new development a haven for hate and extremism, with the newcomers looking to take over local power? Or are they just conservative businessmen catering to a renewed demand for the rural, traditional lifestyle? Our judges commended the excellent storytelling, “immersing the listener in the story of a community“.
Young Audience: Beshert
MovieLove Productions for UK Jewish Film Festival
A poignant, tender drama about a grumpy old man in a Leeds care home and a reluctant Barmitzvah boy – and the unlikely friendship that changes their lives forever. While rooted in Jewish experience, Beshert addresses universal themes of grief, loss, resilience, and coming of age. By tackling prejudice, celebrating connection, and introducing the Jewish concept of beshert – destiny, or “what is meant to be” – the film encourages reflection on purpose, choice, and the moral or spiritual guidance we may seek in our own lives. Our judges thoroughly enjoyed this film, praising the different view of masculinity it presented and the compelling and engaging storytelling.