SmallRig Pitching Sessions Project Whispers in May Wins DOX:AWARD (Best Film) at CPH:DOX 2026

The documentary film Whispers in May, directed by Dongnan Chen and selected as one of the Top 10 Projects at the inaugural SmallRig Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions, won the DOX:AWARD (Best Film) at the 2026 Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival (CPH:DOX). The film was later selected for Visions du Réel, DOK.fest München (Munich International Documentary Festival), and Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

Directed by Dongnan Chen, Whispers in May is set in the remote Liangshan Mountains, where 14-year-old Qihuo and her friends embark on a journey to find a ceremonial skirt for her coming-of-age ritual. Filmed through an improvisational process, what begins as a simple quest gradually drifts into a suspended space of childhood, where time slows and the world feels boundless.

The Project’s Journey with SmallRig Pitching Sessions

Prior to its international recognition, Whispers in May had already gained attention through several established pitching platforms and industry initiatives. In May 2025, the project was selected as one of the Top 10 Projects at the inaugural SmallRig Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions in Shenzhen, where the project received financial and product support from SmallRig to further advance its production.

Launched and hosted by SmallRig, the initiative attracted 124 project submissions from filmmakers in China, the United States, Belgium, and beyond. Spanning documentaries, narrative features, and experimental films, the submissions explored diverse social issues, including environmental conservation, women's empowerment, and disability inclusion.

The film's distinctive storytelling impressed the selection committee, which described it as“a poetic modern fable rooted in reality.”

Beyond the Festival Circuit

Following its success on the international festival circuit, Whispers in May quickly attracted attention from leading global film publications, with critics recognizing its intimate storytelling, distinctive cinematic language, and emotional authenticity.

“The film benefits from a strong point of view and a clear focus on its protagonist, embracing a simple narrative that ultimately becomes a strength.”— Variety

“Blends doc and improv into a magical journey from girlhood to womanhood.”— The Hollywood Reporter

“Its compassionate gaze and the evident trust between filmmaker and subjects yield a delicate coming-of-age story anchored in moments of fleeting emotion.”— Cineuropa

Beyond a Single Success: The Continued Value of SmallRig Pitching Sessions

The international recognition of Whispers in May highlights the value of the SmallRig Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions in supporting promising projects. 

Through project discovery, financial support, product support, and communication support, the initiative helps promising works move beyond the early stages of creation and reach wider audiences.

Independent documentaries and socially engaged films often face significant challenges during development due to limited resources and high production costs. To help address these challenges, selected projects from the inaugural SmallRig Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions became eligible for the SmallRig Image Development Fund's “100/100 Initiative.”

The initiative is designed to support 100 filmmakers worldwide in completing 100 outstanding films through financial support, product support, and communication support, helping more meaningful stories reach the public.

The initiative's long-term impact is already emerging among projects from the inaugural Top 10 selection. Goodbye, My Childhood, directed by Jinjun Yu, received the Outstanding Project Award and the CathayPlay International Distribution Award. The project was subsequently selected for the Tokyo Docs Pitching Forum and the Sheffield DocFest MeetMarket, demonstrating how the SmallRig Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions continue to create opportunities for promising projects to connect with the international stage.

Looking ahead, SmallRig will will continue advancing the SmallRig Image Development Fund and Social Impact Image Pitching Sessions, supporting emerging filmmakers and socially impactful storytelling projects through continued resources and opportunities.