“Urban Solutions for a Green World” wins Impact DOCS Award

The award recognises the film’s comprehensive visual and educational narrative documenting Sharjah’s environmental transformation, showcasing its pioneering model in waste management, transition to clean energy, and biodiversity protection within a sustainable urban vision addressing environmental challenges.

Sharjah’s vision at the heart of the environmental narrative

Across its two parts, the documentary highlights the environmental transformation led by BEEAH, chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of BEEAH. Within a few years, BEEAH successfully diverted more than 90% of waste from landfills, repurposing it into construction materials, fuel, and clean energy, while reducing carbon emissions and building a low-waste society.

Documenting institutional cooperation and nature protection

The film also underscores the close collaboration between BEEAH and the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority, documenting field initiatives including wildlife and marine protection, seabed clean-up campaigns along coastal areas, and afforestation efforts in nature reserves. These initiatives involved broad community participation from government entities and educational institutions, reflecting integrated institutional and community efforts in environmental protection.

Emirati production with global standards

The documentary was produced by the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority in partnership with the Sharjah Government Media Bureau and BEEAH. It was executed by the Emirati production company “Sharq” in collaboration with Canada’s “Griffon.” His Excellency Mohammed Hassan Khalaf served as Executive Producer, with Ashraf Ali as Artistic Producer.

The film was directed by internationally renowned filmmaker Peter von Puttkamer, known for documentaries in environment, wildlife, anthropology, and biographies, and recipient of more than 80 international awards. The production was completed to the highest global standards and released in two versions: the original and an Arabic-dubbed edition.

This international recognition reinforces Sharjah’s standing as a global platform for sustainable environmental ideas and highlights the role of documentary media in conveying inspiring local experiences to global audiences through impactful visual storytelling and a message committed to a more sustainable future.

An international award celebrating impactful documentaries

The Impact DOCS Award is an international accolade dedicated to honouring documentaries with humanitarian, environmental, and social impact. It is founded on the belief in the power of documentary filmmaking to drive change and spotlight critical contemporary issues.

The award operates as an independent global platform that evaluates entries based on high standards of quality and creativity, without direct competition between films. Submissions are assessed according to artistic and narrative excellence, message strength, and impact. The award is officially recognised and documented in the IMDb global film industry database.

Participating works undergo a rigorous judging process overseen by a panel of documentary filmmakers and media industry professionals, including nominees and winners of prestigious honours such as the Emmy, Telly, and Communicator Awards, further enhancing the award’s credibility and distinguished status in the global documentary landscape.