Holocaust heroes documentary wins best short film prize at US festival

The Righteous Road Trip, made in association with Jewish News, honours some of the last living rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust

Jonny Daniels during filming for The Righteous Road Trip, which premieres in Hollywood next month. Credit: The Righteous Road Trip/Big Year Productions
Jonny Daniels during filming for The Righteous Road Trip, which premieres in Hollywood next month. Credit: The Righteous Road Trip/Big Year Productions

A documentary co-produced by Jewish News that follows a journey across Europe to meet some of the last living people who rescued Jews during the Holocaust has won a major film festival award in California.

Directed by Oscar and Emmy-winning filmmaker Vanessa Roth, The Righteous Road Trip was named Best Documentary Short at the Burbank International Film Festival.

The 40-minute film follows British-Israeli humanitarian Jonny Daniels and his dog Tyson as they travel more than 3,000 kilometres through Poland, Slovakia and Hungary in a van filled with Christmas trees and gifts for the rescuers, many of whom are now in their nineties or over 100.

Their journey takes them to meet some of the last surviving Righteous Among the Nations – non-Jews recognised for risking their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

Fewer than 65 of those honoured are believed to still be alive.

Reacting to the award, Roth said: “We are deeply touched and honoured by the Burbank International Film Festival Award for Best Documentary Short. Thank you to the judges and audiences for recognising the film in this way, and especially for giving the stories of the Righteous Among Nations this moment of celebration and honour for their acts of unparalleled moral courage.

“This award means so much to our team, and we can’t wait to keep sharing this special film with audiences around the world!”

Jonny Daniels meets Holocaust rescuers featured in The Righteous Road Trip. Credit: The Righteous Road Trip/Big Year Productions

Jewish News co-publisher Justin Cohen conceived the film and is among the film’s producers and creators alongside Daniels and Holocaust educator Stephen D. Smith.

The award comes less than two months after the documentary had its world premiere at the Dances With Films festival in Hollywood in June.

Presented in English, Polish, Hungarian and Hebrew with English subtitles, The Righteous Road Trip was also produced in association with From the Depths, 18Reflections and Memory Workers. Philanthropist Eitan Neishlos and Jonathan Zlotolow are among its executive producers.

The Burbank International Film Festival ran from 2 to 8 August, bringing more than 120 independent film screenings to the Californian city.

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