Central Scotland Documentary Festival Awars
Every year, the Central Scotland Documentary Festival celebrates the filmmakers and films that make documentaries so powerful, surprising and important.
Celebrating Documentary Filmmaking
Our awards recognise different aspects of documentary filmmaking, from emerging talent and outstanding filmmaking to the films that make the biggest impression on our audiences. They also give us an opportunity to celebrate the people and stories that contribute to Scotland’s rich documentary tradition.
OTOXO University Short Documentary Award
Celebrating Scotland’s next generation of documentary filmmakers
New for 2026, the OTOXO University Short Documentary Award has been created by CSDF in partnership with OTOXO Productions.
The award celebrates outstanding short documentaries made by students at universities across Scotland as part of their studies during 2026. The shortlisted films bring together different subjects, perspectives and filmmaking approaches, offering a glimpse of the exciting new documentary voices emerging across Scotland.
The Short Film Award
Celebrating documentary storytelling in short form
The Short Film Award celebrates the creativity, craft and impact of documentary storytelling in its shortest form.
From personal stories to ambitious ideas, the shortlisted films show just how much can be achieved in a limited running time, bringing together different subjects, styles and perspectives from filmmakers working in short documentary.
The winner is chosen by festival audiences, with viewers invited to vote for the film that has made the strongest impression on them.
Jury Award
Chosen by documentary industry professionals
Our Jury Award recognises the film that makes the strongest impression on a panel of documentary industry professionals selected by CSDF.
The jury considers the films in the festival programme from their own professional perspectives, looking at qualities such as filmmaking, storytelling, originality and impact.
Audience Award
Chosen by you
Documentaries are made to be seen, discussed and shared, so our Audience Award puts the decision in the hands of the people who watch them.
Festival audiences can vote for their favourite film, giving us the chance to discover which documentary has connected most strongly with the people in the room.
Stirling 900 Award
Celebrating outstanding achievement in documentary
With a gentle nod to Stirling’s place in documentary history as the birthplace of John Grierson, widely regarded as the father of documentary, the Stirling 900 Award celebrates exceptional career achievement in non-fiction storytelling.
Now in its fourth year, the award reflects CSDF’s commitment to recognising individuals whose work has made a significant and lasting contribution to documentary, celebrating filmmakers and practitioners who have helped shape, challenge and advance the form.
Rooted in Stirling’s connection to documentary history, the award brings together the city’s past with the festival’s ambition for its future – celebrating those who have shaped documentary while inspiring the storytellers who will take it forward.