At the 2020 event, December 8 to 10, Congress presented 15 awards celebrating excellence in science, history and factual storytelling.
Winners will receive a signature awards statue celebrating their achievement and a free registration, including full access and other benefits, to a future Congress (valid for three years).
Lifetime Achievement Award in Factual Content: Alison Leigh, Leigh Brown Productions
Sponsored by PBS, PBS International, NOVA
Recognizing achievements in the field of production, executive leadership, host, technical, or training.
Emerging Producer of the Year: Alexandria Christos, Red Rock Films International
Recognizing an emerging producer who shows outstanding potential and achievements in the genres of science, history or natural history.
Mentor of the Year: Melanie Wallace, NOVA, WGBH
Sponsored by Calgary Economic Development Film Commission
Recognizing dedication to mentorship and developing talent in a media position relating to science, history or natural history content.
Best Science Communicator: Vanessa Hill, BrainCraft Studios
Sponsored by National Geographic
Recognizing outstanding skill at translating complex science into everyday language that the public can understand.
Diversity Leadership Award: Akanksha Sood Singh, The Gaia People
Sponsored by BBC Studios
Recognizing an individual or team's ongoing commitment to issues of diversity and inclusion.
Best Multi-Platform Factual Project
THE LAST HOURS OF POMPEII
Broadcasters: France Télévisions, Planète +, RTBF, ZDF, CuriosityStream, CCTV9, Ceska TV, RTS, SBS, SVT, NHK, RAI.
Production companies: Gedeon Programmes, Parc archéologique de Pompéi, Curiosity Stream, RTBF Télévision belge, EBU, RMN-GP, UBISOFT, INRAP, HTV vive Arts, Réseau Canopé
Best Host/Presenter in a Science/History or Wildlife Program
COSMOS: POSSIBLE WORLDS
Broadcaster: National Geographic
Host/presenter: Neil deGrasse Tyson
Production company: Possible Worlds, LLC., in association with Fox for National Geographic
Most Innovative Factual Program/Project
BBC EARTH - MICRO KINGDOMS: SENSES
Broadcaster: Magic Leap
Production company: BBC Studios & Preloaded
Biggest Impact of The Year
Sponsored by: France Télévisions
MY OCTOPUS TEACHER
Broadcaster: Netflix
Production companies: A Netflix Original Documentary, Sea Change and Off the Fence
Best History Long Format
Sponsored by: British Pathé
ENSLAVED: THE LOST HISTORY OF THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
Broadcasters: EPIX, CBC
Production company: Associated Producers/Cornelia Street Productions
Best History Short Format
Sponsored by: WNET
HUNT FOR THE U-576
Broadcaster: CuriosityStream
Production company: Curiosity Studios
Best Natural History Long Format
MY OCTOPUS TEACHER
Broadcaster: Netflix
Production companies: A Netflix Original Documentary, Sea Change and Off the Fence
Best Natural History Short Format
NIGHT AT THE AQUARIUM
Broadcaster: CuriosityStream
Production company: Diatom Studios
Best Science Long Format
COSMOS: POSSIBLE WORLDS
Broadcaster: National Geographic
Production companies: Possible Worlds, LLC., in association with Fox for National Geographic
Best Science Short Format
BRAINCRAFT
Broadcaster: YouTube
Production company: BrainCraft Studios
