True crime awards 2026 honour ethical storytelling across the genre

The True Crime Awards 2026 recognised work in ethical true crime storytelling last night at a ceremony in London.

Across 29 categories, creators, journalists, podcasters, filmmakers, authors and production teams were recognised for work focused on accuracy, sensitivity and ethical practice, reflecting the values promoted by CrimeCon UK and the wider true crime community.

This year’s winners included The Punch from Sky News, Pipeline: Left to Die from The Crime Desk, A Deadly American Marriage from Sandpaper Films, Kincora: Britain’s Shame by Chris Moore, A Spy in the Family from Mirror Books, and Matched with a Predator from BBC Disclosure and BBC Scotland.

A special recognition was also presented to Ann Ming MBE, honoured for her campaign that led to the abolition of the double jeopardy law and helped secure justice in her daughter Julie’s case.

Nancy Baughen, Co Founder of The Assembly, which organises the event, said: “True crime carries a profound responsibility.

“Every story is rooted in real people, real trauma and real consequences. What we celebrate tonight are creators who approach that responsibility with integrity, prioritise accuracy, compassion and ethical practice while producing compelling work.

“The winners and nominees demonstrate how true crime can drive awareness, inspire reform, and give a voice to those who need it most.”

All of the winners:

  1. Best True Crime Short
    Winner: The Punch – Sky News
  2. Best Episodic Podcast
    Winner: True Crime With Elli Mac – Ellimac Productions
  3. Best New Author
    Winner: Kincora: Britain’s Shame by Chris Moore – Merrion Press
  4. Outstanding Documentary Film – Digital (Partnered by London Sync)
    Winner: A Deadly American Marriage – Sandpaper Films
  5. Outstanding Documentary Film – Linear (Partnered by London Sync)
    Winner: Brianna: A Mother’s Story – Multistory Media
  6. Best Serialised Podcast
    Winner: Matched with a Predator – BBC Disclosure & BBC Scotland
  7. Best Serialised Podcast – Seasonal
    Winner: Crime Next Door: The Cop, The Kidnap and The Killer – BBC Radio Stoke for BBC Sounds
  8. Production Company of the Year (Partnered by 911 True Crime Music)
    Winner: Good TV
  9. Broadcaster of the Year
    Winner: 5 (Paramount)
  10. Best Audio Book
    Winner: Saffie by David Collins (with Andrew & Lisa Roussos)
  11. Podcast: Rising Star
    Winner: NOLA 93 – The Journal and the Murder – N Leigh Hunt & Fire Eyes Media
  12. On Screen: Episodic Series – New (Partnered by The Nerve)
    Winner: Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone – True North Productions
  13. On Screen: Episodic Series – Returning (Partnered by The Nerve)
    Winner: Missing: Dead or Alive? – Blast Films
  14. Outstanding Indie Podcast
    Winner: Inside Forensic Science: A Case of Stolen Identity – Adventurous Audio
  15. Best Digital Campaign
    Winner: The Punch – Sky News
  16. Podcast Network of the Year
    Winner: Always True Crime – Audio Always
  17. Book of the Year
    Winner: A Spy in the Family by Paul Henderson & David Gardner – Mirror Books
  18. Podcast of the Year (Partnered by Audio UK)
    Winner: Pipeline: Left to Die – The Crime Desk
  19. Outstanding Two-Part Docuseries (Partnered by Reviewed & Cleared)
    Winner: Poisoned: Killer in the Post – Wonderhood Studios
  20. Outstanding Three-or-More-Part Docuseries
    Winner: Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers – The Garden
  21. Outstanding Investigative Journalism
    Winner: Creation of a Teenage Satanist – BBC South
  22. Most Captivating Podcast Host(s)
    Winner: True Criminals – Audio Bleach Global
  23. On Screen: Best True Crime Drama Adaptation
    Winner: I Fought The Law – Hera Pictures
  24. Publishing Company of the Year
    Winner: Mercier Press
  25. Best Awareness Campaign
    Winner: Keep an Eye Out – Stamp Out Spiking
  26. Publishing: Impact for Change
    Winner: For My Boys by Claire Throssell – Mirror Books
  27. On Screen: Impact for Change (Partnered by runVT) –
    Winner: Murder: Point of Contact – Phoenix Television for the TRUE CRIME channel
  28. Podcast: Impact for Change
    Winner: Pipeline: Left to Die – The Crime Desk
  29. CrimeCon UK Special Recognition Award
    Winner: Ann Ming MBE

You Might Also Like

Share to...