PLANET A Wins the #DocsConnect Conscious Filmmaking Award at Ji.hlava IDFF
We are delighted to announce PLANET A, directed by Emelie Mahdavian and produced by Charlotte Hailstone, as the winner of the #DocsConnect Conscious Filmmaking Award – Mentorship & Consultancy, presented at the 30th Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival.
Set against the fragile and rapidly changing landscape of Antarctica, PLANET A follows glaciologist Naomi as she joins the final expedition to the crumbling ice shelf of the so-called “Doomsday Glacier.” Weaving together science, memory and the ancient voice of ice, the documentary invites audiences to reflect on humanity’s relationship with the natural world and the urgent need for transformation.
A Storytelling Approach Rooted in Observation and Connection
What particularly resonated with the #DocsConnect team was the film’s artistic sensitivity and deeply attentive approach to storytelling. With a background in professional dance and music, director Emelie Mahdavian brings a distinctive understanding of movement, rhythm and presence to her filmmaking. Her approach creates space for observation and reflection, exploring the complex relationships between humans, nature and society.
This sensitivity closely aligns with the philosophy of conscious filmmaking at the heart of #DocsConnect: an approach that values not only the stories we tell, but also how we engage with the world, the people and the environments around us.
Supporting the Next Steps of PLANET A
Through the #DocsConnect Conscious Filmmaking Award – Mentorship & Consultancy, the filmmaking team will receive:
An invitation to the #DocsConnect 2027 Training Programme, with the flexibility to participate in one, two or all three modules.
One individual mentorship session with an industry expert.
Access to two online masterclasses from Module 2 of the training programme.
These opportunities are designed to support the filmmakers’ continued artistic and professional development, offering space for learning, exchange and meaningful connections within the international documentary community.
Celebrating Conscious Filmmaking
At #DocsConnect, we believe that filmmaking goes beyond the final work on screen. It is also a process of observing, listening, questioning and building meaningful relationships with the world around us.
PLANET A embodies this spirit through its thoughtful exploration of environmental change and its commitment to an artistic language grounded in sensitivity and awareness.
We warmly congratulate Emelie Mahdavian, Charlotte Hailstone and the entire PLANET A team on this recognition. We look forward to supporting their journey and continuing to foster a documentary community in which creativity, connection and conscious practices are the norm.