Venice, Italy – August 25, 2026 – Today, the Golden Globes®, Artemis Rising Foundation and Think-Film Impact Production announced that actress Liza Soberano has joined the jury for the Golden Globes Impact Prize for Documentary Presented by Artemis Rising Foundation during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
Following its inaugural presentation at the Venice Film Festival in partnership with Artemis Rising Foundation and with support from Think-Film Impact Production, the Golden Globes Impact Prize for Documentary returns for its second edition. The award honors a documentary feature film in the Biennale’s official selection, either in or out of competition, that exemplifies the extraordinary power of documentary filmmaking to illuminate important social issues through compelling storytelling.
Liza Soberano is one of the most recognized faces in Asian entertainment, having built an extraordinary career in the Philippines before making her Hollywood crossover. With over 17 million Instagram followers and a fanbase spanning Southeast Asia and beyond. In 2024 she made her Hollywood debut in Focus Features’ Lisa Frankenstein. This September, she steps into the lead role, starring in DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island. Alongside her creative work, Soberano is an active Ambassador for Save the Children Philippines, and a vocal advocate for women and children’s rights, protection of children from online sexual exploitation, and mental health.
Soberano said, “I’ve always believed that film has the power to do more than entertain – it can challenge injustice, offer safety, inspire hope, and remind us of our shared humanity. Documentary filmmaking is where some of the most courageous and unforgettable storytelling is happening today. I’m honoured to serve on this jury, because celebrating documentary filmmakers isn’t only about recognising extraordinary talent; it’s where the future of cinema is heading.”
“Documentaries have become some of the defining cinematic experiences of our time,” added Helen Hoehne, President of the Golden Globes. “In this shortlist, we see creatives continuing to expand what the genre can do. We’re delighted to return to Venice with this Documentary Impact Prize that uplifts one of the most exciting and influential forms of storytelling in cinema today.”
“Audiences today are looking for stories that feel authentic, relevant and emotionally real – and documentaries are delivering exactly that,” said Artemis Rising Foundation founder and CEO Regina K. Scully. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Golden Globes and the Venice Film Festival to celebrate cinematic excellence and see documentary storytelling receiving the prominence and recognition it has long earned.”
Venice Film Festival Artistic Director Alberto Barbera added, “Venice has always been a home for filmmakers who expand the possibilities of cinema, and documentary has become one of the defining creative forces in contemporary filmmaking. As this art form continues to grow in creative ambition and global reach, it is only natural that its place within the international awards landscape continues to evolve. We are proud to host and support the Golden Globes Impact Prize for Documentary; we welcome every initiative that elevates this work and reflects its growing importance within our industry’s highest honours.”
The full jury will include 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. The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000 USD from Artemis Rising Foundation.
Danielle Turkov Wilson said, “At a time when documentaries are reaching larger global audiences, driving cultural conversation, and delivering both critical acclaim and commercial success, the Golden Globes Impact Prize Presented by Artemis Rising Foundation is another important step in recognising the growing influence and significance of documentary within international cinema.”
The Golden Globes, Artemis Rising Foundation, and ThinkFilm Impact Production first partnered to launch a documentary prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, where a jury led by actor and producer Tessa Thompson honoured Eugene Jarecki for his contribution to the documentary genre. Jarecki’s Cannes-premiering film on Julian Assange, THE SIX BILLION DOLLAR MAN, went on to win the L’Oeil d’or Special Jury Prize. The partnership expanded to Venice later that year, where a jury including actors Jharrel Jerome and Teo Yoo awarded the prize to Ross McElwee’s REMAKE. Most recently, the prize returned to Cannes in 2026, where a jury including actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. honoured Joshua Tickell and Rebecca Harrell Tickell for GROUNDSWELL, the third film in their environmental trilogy following KISS THE GROUND and COMMON GROUND. The jury also awarded a special mention to Pegah Ahangarani for REHEARSALS FOR A REVOLUTION, soon to be released by Sony Pictures Classics. The prize’s presence at Venice builds on ThinkFilm’s established impact work at the festival, where, prior to the partnership, it inaugurated a collateral Impact Award honouring a film in the festival’s official competition selection for its social impact potential.
