(Photo Courtesy of the Smiley® Charity Film Awards)
Alesha Dixon and Roy, which took the People’s Choice Award.
The realities of street violence, animal cruelty that captures the emotional impact of abuse and the exploration of modern nursing are among the 29 winners of the 2026 Smiley® Charity Film Awards.
The program recognizes the most powerful and impactful cause-based video and films across the United Kingdom and internationally. Now in its ninth year, and powered by the news platform the Smiley Movement, the awards champion storytelling that moves people to take action.
This year’s digital-first edition has been designed to maximize reach and turn views into donations and advocacy with audiences able to watch and vote for their favorite films. The Smiley Charity Film Awards are recognized by the British Film Institute and IMDb.
The Smiley Charity Film Awards (The Smileys) program has supported more than 5,000 charities and engaging in excess of one million individuals through voting since its inception. The platform has generated 400 million views, with an audience greater than 3 million tuning in to virtual events, according to Nicolas Loufrani, CEO of The Smiley Company and founder of the Smiley Movement.
“Every year, these awards prove just how powerful storytelling can be when it’s driven by purpose,” Loufrani told The NonProfit Times. “These films don’t just raise awareness, they inspire action, shift perceptions and ultimately help charities reach the people who need them most. This year’s winners are a reminder that creativity can be a force for real change, and we’re proud to support the incredible organizations behind them.”
Entries to the Smiley Charity Film Awards for charities/community interest companies (CICs) and social enterprises are categorized based on revenue during the last financial year to create a level playing field so that smaller organizations are just as likely to receive an award as larger, more established charities, he explained.
“I believe that the charity sector is really important in helping the world get to achieve those those goals (the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals),” said Loufrani. “In the end, every film, every charity falls into one of these 17 goals. I think we were the first to take that angle.”
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are: No poverty; Zero hunger; Good health and well-being; Quality education; Gender equality; Clean water and sanitation; Affordable and clean energy; Decent work and economic growth; Industry, innovation and infrastructure; Reduced inequalities; Sustainable cities and communities; Responsible consumption and production; Climate action; Life below water; Life on land; Peace, justice, and strong institutions; and, Partnerships for the goals.
Below are some of the winning videos. They are on various platforms, such as YouTube, TikTok and others. The complete list and links can be found at www.smileycharityfilmawards.com
Among the winners were:
Grand Prix Winners (£10,000)
Grand Prix – Film of the Year
StreetDoctors – The Fatal Question
StreetDoctors, a charity working to educate young people on the realities of street violence, won the top prize. The short film poses a stark question to young people about where it is “safe” to stab, before dismantling the myth through real-life stories and devastating consequences. The film delivers a clear and urgent message about the realities of knife crime and its impact on communities.
Grand Prix – People’s Choice
Featuring singer and television personality Alesha Dixon, the film shines a light on the reality of animal cruelty, capturing the emotional impact of abuse through the story of Roy, a dog rescued by the charity after suffering a violent attack.
Contrasting distressing real-life footage with a moving rehabilitation journey, the film highlights both the scale of cruelty cases faced by the RSPCA and the vital work it does to rescue, care for and rehome animals. With reports of animal cruelty rising significantly during the summer months, the campaign struck a chord with audiences, ultimately securing the highest number of public votes and earning the charity the top People’s Choice honor.
Corporate Cause Award Winner (£3,000)
Royal College of Nursing – This is Nursing
This year’s Corporate Cause Award went to the Royal College of Nursing for a film that captures the realities of modern nursing. Following real nurses, caregivers and midwives through the highs and lows of their work, the film highlights both the emotional and practical demands of the profession, underlining the importance of support, standards and fair conditions across the sector.
Category Winners (£3,000)
Selected from more than 500 entries, this year’s 200 finalists spanned a wide range of causes including mental health, homelessness, disability inclusion, youth services, healthcare, animal welfare and international development.
Finalists included 155 national charities alongside a strong showing of regional organizations from across the UK, from Bath to Bradford, Cornwall to Kirklees, East London to Edinburgh and across Wales. Internationally, films from India, Palestine, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Uganda further highlight the global reach of the awards.
Income-Based Categories
- Under £100,000
Trybe House Theatre – If Home Is Where the Heart Is
A poetic and visually striking film exploring the lived experiences of young Black men, highlighting themes of identity, trauma and belonging, and positioning the charity as a vital creative safe space.
- £100,000 – £250,000
Face Equality International – Join the Fight for Face Equality
A bold and unexpected campaign film fronted by actor Adam Pearson, challenging perceptions of facial difference and promoting respect and inclusion.
- £250,000 – £500,000
Ruddi’s Retreat – The Christmas Advert
A moving portrayal of a family navigating a child’s cancer diagnosis, showing how the charity provides respite and moments of joy during incredibly difficult times.
- £500,000 – £1m
Electric Umbrella – It’s Not a Crime to Be Different
A vibrant, music-led film celebrating difference while addressing hate crime, created in collaboration with Hertfordshire Constabulary.
- £1m – £2.5m
Staffordshire Women’s Aid – Celebrating 50 Years
A powerful retrospective marking five decades of supporting survivors of domestic abuse, highlighting both progress and ongoing need.
* £2.5m – £5m
Child Bereavement UK – Room for an Elephant
A simple but effective animated film tackling the emotional impact of unspoken grief in children.
- £5m – £15m
Cornwall Hospice Care – 45 Years
A deeply emotional story illustrating the role of hospice care at the end of life and the
lasting impact on families.
- £15m – £50m
Samaritans – Help Bring Someone’s Future Back
A compelling narrative showing the life-saving impact of support for those experiencing suicidal thoughts.
- Over £50m
Save the Children UK – Don’t Mention the Children
A powerful and thought-provoking film centered on a poem highlighting the human cost of conflict on children worldwide.
Longform Categories
- Longform Under £500,000
Climb2Recovery – Climb2Recovery
Following veterans on a journey of recovery through climbing, this film captures resilience, camaraderie and healing. - Longform £500,000 – £5m
Rural Media Charity – Breaking Out Boys
A candid and engaging exploration of masculinity and youth voices, featuring conversations with Jordan Stephens.
- Longform Over £5m
Prior’s Court – The Long Road
A deeply personal look at the lives of autistic young people with complex needs, and the transformative support provided by the charity.
Special Category
- International Impact
WeProtect Global Alliance – Protect Us
A hard-hitting film exposing the realities of online exploitation and the risks facing children in the digital age.
