Funding Award Winners announced at Sheffield Doc/Fest!

Following a public pitch at Sheffield Doc/Fest 2018, Mirror Mirror on the Wall – directed by Beijing-based filmmaker Sascha Schöberl – was announced as the winner of The Whickers Film & TV Funding Award at an awards ceremony on Tuesday 12 June.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall will follow Chinese plastic surgeon and self-proclaimed artist ‘Dr X’, who seizes the spotlight for controversial surgical performances. The film is a modern tale about vanity and self-glorification – as well as an extreme investigation into humanity set against the backdrop of China today.

Director Sascha Schöberl said:
“Winning this award is nothing less than a breakthrough for us – thank you so much for believing in me, the film and the production team. We have lived and breathed this documentary for the past three years and to know that The Whickers share my vision for the film empowers me to bring it home!”

The second award went to British-Japanese director Megumi Inman and her film Disappearing Village, which will follow the unique collaboration of a dwindling rice-farming village and a maverick brewing magnate to make the most authentic sake in Japan. Megumi will receive £15,000 in production funding for her documentary.

TV presenter, investigative journalist and member of the jury panel Seyi Rhodes commented:
“The awards are not just about the story, but also about the storyteller. The Whickers aim to nurture new talent and this year Megumi’s dynamic pitch and passion really swung it for her in a very competitive line-up.”

The winners were selected by an esteemed judging panel of documentary commissioners, international distributors and filmmakers, following a public pitch at Sheffield Doc/Fest alongside an outstanding selection of finalists.

Applications for the next round of the Film & TV Funding Award will open in October 2018 and we welcome proposals from first time feature-length documentary makers around the world!