Joel Kachi Benson is a thoughtful and empathetic documentary filmmaker known for immersive stories that capture the intimacy of real lives. His films lean on empathy, detail and a strong sense of place.
He is being honoured for his Disney+ documentary Madu, which tells the story of Anthony Madu, a young boy from Lagos, Nigeria, whose 2020 viral video of him dancing ballet barefoot in the rain captured global attention. The documentary won the 2025 News and Documentary Emmy Award for ‘Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary. The international acclaim affirmed his ability to elevate African stories for global audiences.