BBC celebrates Oscar wins as two BBC-backed films pick up Academy Awards

Two BBC-backed films picked up Academy Awards at this year's Oscar ceremony. BBC Film’s Sentimental Value won Best International Feature Film, and BBC Storyville’s Mr Nobody Against Putin won Best Documentary Feature Film.

Sentimental Value picked up the award following a total of nine Oscar nominations, and recent wins at the Cannes Grand Prix and the BAFTAs, where it won Film Not in the English Language at the ceremony in London last month.

Storyville’s Mr Nobody Against Putin’s award follows February’s BAFTA Documentary award win.

BBC Film is established at the forefront of UK film and has an ambitious slate featuring many of the most exciting filmmakers working today. BBC Film is known for developing and co-producing work from new British talent alongside films from some of the UK’s most established filmmakers.

Storyville is the BBC’s award-winning strand showcasing the very best in international documentaries.

Kate Phillips, BBC Chief Content Officer says: “Huge congratulations to BBC Film’s Sentimental Value and BBC Storyville’s Mr Nobody Against Putin for winning Oscar’s at last night’s Academy Award ceremony. An incredible achievement and I’d like to thank everyone involved in front of and behind the camera.”

Kristin Irving, BBC Film’s Senior Commissioning Editor says “BBC Film is proud to have supported Sentimental Value through its production, and we are very much looking forward to bringing Joachim Trier’s beautifully crafted film to BBC audiences, whom we’re sure will connect with its universal themes and emotional depth.”

Nevine Mabro, Head of BBC Storyville says: “Storyville’s Mr Nobody Against Putin is an extraordinary and deeply courageous piece of filmmaking made possible by the guts and talent of Pasha and the brilliant team. As a public service broadcaster, the BBC is committed to international documentaries – backing brave story tellers that shine a light into hidden corners and show the world what is happening."

Lucie Kon, Commissioning Editor for this BBC Storyville film says: "From the moment I heard about Pasha, I knew we had to be involved and that the film had to be on the BBC. It's had an extraordinary impact, been awarded best Documentary at BAFTA Film and now it has won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film, which reflects the outstanding quality of this film work behind the film and the powerful connection it has made with audiences worldwide."

Sentimental Value

Sentimental Value follows actress Nora and her sister Agnes as their eccentric and charismatic father, Gustav suddenly reappears in their lives after a long absence.

BBC Film-backed title Sentimental Value is directed by Joachim Trier, who co-wrote the film with Eskil Vogt. The film stars Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Elle Fanning and was produced by Maria Ekerhovd and Andrea Berentsen Ottmar. Eva Yates, Director of BBC Film, was Executive Producer. Sentimental Value, had BAFTA nominations across 8 categories including Best Film and Directing, and won the BAFTA for Film Not in the English Language. Sentimental Value won the prestigious Grand Prix at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and was released in UK cinemas by Mubi on 6 December 2025.

Mr Nobody Against Putin

When Russia invades Ukraine, a quiet schoolteacher in a small industrial town picks up his camera and becomes an unlikely dissident. Pavel Talankin isn’t a journalist or activist, he organises school events, makes quirky videos, and is loved by his students. But when patriotic lessons and military drills begin replacing regular classes, Pavel starts filming. What emerges is a chilling portrait of how propaganda seeps into everyday life and how children are drawn into the machinery of war. As new laws silence dissent and fellow activists are jailed, Pavel’s quiet resistance becomes increasingly dangerous.

Filmed covertly over two years, Mr Nobody Against Putin is a gripping, courageous exposé of a regime tightening its grip, and one man’s brave attempt to push back from the inside. A powerful story of quiet defiance, captured at enormous personal risk. David Borenstein’s film was selected as Denmark’s entry for the Best International Feature category at the 98th Oscars Academy Awards 2026.

Mr Nobody Against Putin was commissioned and co-produced by BBC Storyville, and is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. 

• Watch Mr Nobody Against Putin on BBC iPlayer

Production Credits: Lucie Kon is the commissioning editor for this BBC Storyville film. David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin are the Directors. David Borenstein also wrote the film. It was Produced by Helle Faber and her Danish production company, Made in Copenhagen in collaboration the Czech company, Pink CZ. Radovan Sibrt was also a Producer and Alzbetà Karaskovà the co-Producer. Mr Nobody Against Putin is supported by: The Danish Film Institute, CZECH FILM FUND, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, FilmFyn, Fritt Ord. Hermod Lannungs Fond. BBC Storyville, DRTV, ZDF in collaboration with ARTE, NRK, SVT, RTS & VPRO. World sales: D

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