Colette, a film released by the Guardian, has won the Oscar for best documentary short at the 93rd Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
Composed and coordinated by Anthony Giacchino, and delivered by Alice Doyard, Annie Small and Aaron Matthews, Colette tells the story of 90-year-old former French resistance member Colette Marin-Catherine, who visits the concentration camp where her brother was killed during the war with a youthful history student, Lucie Fouble.
Anthony Giacchino, essayist and overseer of Colette, said: “We’re deeply honoured and humbled that Colette has won the Oscar … but our deepest gratitude goes to Colette and Lucie, for allowing us to share their story and bear witness to their journey.”
Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief, Guardian News & Media said: “This Academy Award is a real honour and a fantastic achievement for everyone behind this powerful and deeply moving documentary. Colette is the first Guardian documentary to win an Oscar and is a testament to our talented video team who have worked hard to build and grow our distinctive Guardian Documentaries strand over the years. A huge congratulations to all!”
Colette’s success follows Oscar recognition for a Guardian film in 2019, when Black Sheep was additionally selected for best narrative short. Colette was delivered by the Guardian in November 2020, the 75th anniversary of the Nuremberg trials.
Charlie Phillips, head of video, Guardian News & Media said: “I’m proud that Colette has won the Oscar and am just as delighted to have achieved it with such an important and moving documentary, which helps us to understand history and friendship through two special women.” Lindsay Poulton, Guardian News & Media head of documentaries, added: “What an honour to be recognised with an Academy award! At the Guardian, we are always looking for surprising routes into important stories and Colette’s story of resistance and resilience has moved us all.”
