The British Documentary Awards 2005 were presented at the Royal Institution in London on Sunday, 27 November 2005, in a ceremony hosted by the Right Honourable Michael Portillo and were broadcast on BBC Four the following day.

Categories

Winners

  • BMGZomba Award for Best Documentary on a Contemporary Issue

    Sisters in Law

    Sisters in Law
    Directors:
    Kim Longinotto & Florence Ayisi
    Producer:
    Kim Longinotto
    Production Cº:
    Vixen Films
    Birds Eye Film
    Channel 4

  • Best Documentary on the Arts

    South Bank Show - Robert Frank

    South Bank Show - Robert Frank
    Director/Producer:
    Gerald Fox
    Production Cº:
    Granada Arts
    ITV1

  • Best Historical Documentary

    Auschwitz: The Nazis & The ‘Final Solution’ - episode 1 'Surprising Beginnings'

    Surprising Beginnings
    Directors:
    Detlef Siebert, Dominic Sutherland, Laurence Rees
    Producer:
    Laurence Rees
    Production Cº:
    BBC/KCET
    BBC Two

  • Best Documentary on Science or the Natural World

    The Natural World:Mississippi - Tales of the Last River Rat

    Tales of the Last River Rat
    Director/Producer:
    Andrew Graham Brown
    Production Cº:
    BBC/KCET
    BBC Two

  • The Frontier Post Award for Most Entertaining Documentary

    Bye Bye Happiness

    Bye Bye Happiness
    Director:
    Oli Barry
    Producer:
    Paula Campion
    Production Cº:
    Talkback Productions
    BBC Three

  • Best Drama Documentary

    Cherished

    Cherished
    Director:
    Robin Sheppard
    Producer:
    Polly Hill
    Production Cº:
    BBC
    BBC One

  • UK Film Council Award for Best International Cinema Documentary

    My Architect

    My Architect
    Director:
    Nathaniel Kahn
    Producers:
    Susan Ros Behr, Nathaniel Kahn

  • The Bloomberg Award For Best Newcomer

    Darren HercherSend Me Somewhere Special

    Send Me Somewhere Special
    Director:
    Darren Hercher
    Production Cº:
    Fulcrum TV
    BBC Three

  • Trustees' Award

    Nick Fraser

    Nick Fraser

    The Grierson Trust was delighted to present the Trustees' Award, which recognises an outstanding contribution to the art of documentary, to Nick Fraser, Editor of the BBC’s Storyville Strand. The award was presented by filmmaker Ben Lewis.