WOFFF26 Audience Choice Awards
Five Minute Brides, directed by Jacqueline Maxted, has won the Women Over 50 Film Festival’s Audience Choice Award 2026.
Thank you to everyone who watched and voted. Alongside our winner, you’ve chosen a runner-up, a third-place film and three commended films.
Audience Choice: Winner
Audience Choice: Winner
Five Minute Brides by Jacqueline Maxted – Winner
Twice a year, seamstress Mandy Abramson opens her bridal shop in Skipton, North Yorkshire, to women who would like to try on a wedding dress. Women of any age, shape or size are welcome to take part in these dress-up days.
Jacqueline Maxted’s documentary captures the women’s visits and the personal stories they share as they choose and try on their dresses.
Audience Choice: Runner-Up
Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage by Liz McGregor
Susan Baur and a group of older women swim through the freshwater ponds of Cape Cod, collecting rubbish from the bottom. Their finds include beer cans, fishing lures and the occasional discarded tyre.
Liz McGregor’s documentary follows their work to protect the ponds and the wildlife that lives in them, as well as the friendships formed through their regular swims.
Audience Choice: Third place
The Second Life of Freddie Nole by Dana Nachman
Freddie Nole meets men at the prison gates on the day of their release, helping them through their first hours of freedom.
Filmed over a single day, Dana Nachman’s documentary follows Freddie and his friend Chilly as they support a newly released man. As the day unfolds, we learn about Freddie’s own past and how it led him to this work.
Audience Choice: Commended
Now That’s What I Call Dock Pudding by Sarah Mason
The World Dock Pudding Championships take place in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire, where competitors prepare a local dish made from dock leaves. Sarah Mason’s documentary introduces the people keeping the recipe alive, complete with secret picking spots and closely guarded cooking methods.
Gertie Hooper VS the Committee by Melissa Herman
Set during the Second World War, Melissa Herman’s animation follows Gertie’s fight to protect her family farm when the men of her village decide to sacrifice it to support the war effort.
New Ground by Louisa Rechenbach
Twenty-six women over 50 create their own co-housing community.
Louisa Rechenbach’s documentary follows their decision to live independently while sharing a place where they can know and support their neighbours as they grow older.
Congratulations to all six filmmakers and everyone who worked on these films. Thank you for sharing them with WOFFF audiences.