Charity Documentary takes home ‘Best Documentary Feature’ Award
Manchester, 25th March 2025 - Human Appeal, one of the UK’s leading humanitarian aid charities, today announces that its first feature-length documentary, Pot of Gold, has been named ‘Best Documentary Feature’ at the world-renowned Manchester Film Festival’s 10th edition.
In partnership with Manchester-based Chief Productions, Pot of Gold is a sustainability-focused documentary that centres around the charity’s locally-driven livelihood initiative with beekeepers in the mountains of Kashmir, Pakistan. It is the first foreign film ever shot in Azad Jammu & Kashmir - a misunderstood, historically rich and rarely-visited region of Pakistan.
Selected from a category of 6 feature-length documentaries, the panel comprised esteemed judges: Tom Percival, Features Editor at Dexerto; Emily Murray, freelance Film Critic; Cameron Frew, Deputy TV and Movie Editor at Dexerto; Matt Butler-Hart, Filmmaker and festival alumnus; and Clarisse Loughrey, Chief Film Critic for The Independent.
Taking audiences to the unseen valleys of Kashmir, Pot of Gold tells the heart-warming story of beekeeper Shakeel Ahmed Khan and his fellow beekeepers as they find themselves on the frontlines of environmental chaos following the most destructive monsoon the country has ever seen. As the impacts of climate change destabilise the region, Pot of Gold highlights the vulnerability and resilience of local communities, underscores the importance of local sustainability projects, and depicts the wisdom and resilience of the Kashmiri people.
The film from Chief Productions and Human Appeal is produced, authored and co-directed by Billy Offland alongside co-director and director of photography Olivier Richomme. Colin Offland and Nate Camponi are executive producers, Alan Hamilton and James Cross are writers.
Welcoming the news, Owais Khan, Deputy CEO, Human Appeal comments, ‘Our team was ecstatic to hear that Pot of Gold, our first documentary film, was awarded Best Documentary Feature. Working with Chief to bring to life the story of the resilient people of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir region has been an incredible experience, and to see the film resonate with the judging panel is wonderful recognition. Our motto at Human Appeal is ‘here for every human’, and so to have the support of the BAFTA-qualifying Manchester Film Festival means that we can continue to raise awareness of the effects of the climate crisis, and how remote communities need our support more than ever.’
Billy Offland, Producer of Pot of Gold, Chief Productions adds, ‘Pot of Gold is not only an exploration of the imminent danger the climate crisis poses to human and non-human life, it’s a unique exposition of how the resilience of remote communities and sustainable projects can confront these devastating effects, whilst bringing hope and prosperity to the people. Capturing the projects journey took a serious team effort and painstaking commitment, every department putting the hard yards to make something we believe is powerful, unique and entertaining. We’re hugely grateful that this work has been recognised and celebrated by Manchester Film Festival and we congratulate the other entrants on their work.”
Notes to editors
Credits
- Exec Producer – Colin Offland
- Producer – Billy Offland
- Authored by – Billy Offland
- Co-Directors – Olivier Richomme & Billy Offland
- Director of Photography – Olivier Richomme
- Written by – Alan Hamilton & James Cross
About Chief
Chief is an award-winning creative film production company proudly based in Manchester's Media City. Founded in 2002, Chief has grown to become one of the largest independent production companies in the country. Alongside its roster of 16 directors working on films for globally recognised brands, Chief has a 10,000 sq.ft on site studio, production office and in-house post facilities.
https://www.chief.tv/
About Human Appeal
Human Appeal (registered charity 1154288) is a fully independent British charity and humanitarian NGO based in Manchester, UK. It was established in 1991 and runs targeted aid relief programmes in collaboration with recognised global organisations like the United Nations. Its purpose is to save lives through emergency response and sustainable development programmes, across over 25 countries worldwide.
www.humanappeal.org.uk
For further information please contact:
Media Foundry
grace@mediafoundry.london
As featured in the award-winning documentary Pot of Gold, Human Appeal is dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities in Pakistan through sustainable honey bee farming. Farmers are facing the harsh realities of climate change, drought, and flooding. Your support can help provide them with the tools, training, and resources to start a honey bee farm and transform their lives.
Donate now
By Human Appeal
Manchester, United Kingdom
