Actor-producer Kelvin Harrison Jr. will join the jury and present the Golden Globes Prize for Documentary in Partnership With Artemis Rising Foundation during the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.
Harrison Jr. shared a SAG Award with the cast of “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” His recent and upcoming work includes voicing Taka in “Mufasa: The Lion King,” portraying Jean-Michel Basquiat in “Samo Lives” and starring in “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” coming to theaters this fall.
“I’m honored to support this important prize and to celebrate the extraordinary documentary filmmakers whose work shines a light on urgent stories around the world,” said Harrison Jr.
Returning to Cannes for its second year, the prize honors a filmmaker whose work “demonstrates exceptional storytelling and a meaningful contribution to documentary filmmaking, particularly in addressing urgent global and social issues.”
Launched in 2025, the prize has been presented at major international festivals, including Cannes and Venice, underscoring the Golden Globes’ and Artemis Rising Foundation’s “shared commitment to elevating documentary storytelling on a global stage.”
It was awarded to Eugene Jarecki at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, with a jury including actor and producer Tessa Thompson, and Ross McElwee at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, with a jury including Teo Yoo and Jharrel Jerome.
The full jury this year includes Golden Globes president, Helen Hoehne; Academy Award-winning producer and founder of Artemis Rising Foundation, Regina K. Scully; Academy Award-winning producer and co-founder of Impact Partners, Geralyn White Dreyfous; and founder and CEO of Think-Film Impact Production, Danielle Turkov Wilson.
“We are proud to return to Cannes to honor an outstanding documentary filmmaker, and thrilled to have Kelvin join our jury this year,” said Hoehne. “His passion for meaningful storytelling makes him a natural addition to the jury, and reflects the Golden Globes’ continued commitment to innovation and to elevating documentaries on the global stage.”
“Artemis Rising Foundation is proud to honor outstanding filmmakers who have demonstrated a commitment to documentaries,” said Scully. “We believe that meaningful documentary storytelling has the power to inspire fierce compassion and help shape a better future. We’re delighted to collaborate with the Golden Globes on this important prize, amplifying exceptional talent and elevating the documentary genre on a global stage.”
“With factual storytelling sitting on the sidelines instead of center stage, we hope this prize will highlight the best of non-fiction narratives, storytelling, and elevate its importance,” said Dreyfous.
Finalists for the prize include filmmakers with a film either in the official selection of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, side events or special screenings, each “demonstrating a sustained commitment to documentary filmmaking.” The jury will consider the following filmmakers: Steven Soderbergh, Pegah Ahangarani, Ron Howard, Christophe Dimitri Réveille, David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas, Gessica Généus, Diego Luna, Alexander Murphy, and Leah Nelson.
Harrison Jr. will announce the winner at an invitation-only event on May 18 at the Plage des Palmes. The evening, supported by Think-Film Impact Production, will include a panel discussion, award presentation and reception celebrating documentary filmmaking. The winner will receive a EUR 10,000 cash award in recognition of their contribution to the documentary field.
