UK documentary wins top prize at 2025 New York Radio Awards

A British-made environmental documentary has won one of the top prizes at this year’s New York Festivals Radio Awards.

Buried: The Last Witness by Smoke Trail Productions Limited took home a Grand Award in the Documentary: Environment & Ecology category.

The series investigates the legacy of toxic waste dumping in the UK and features new evidence from a deceased whistleblower. Hosted by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor, the series alleges that chemicals from the US company Monsanto contaminated parts of the British landscape and food chain.

It was one of three Grand Awards presented this year, alongside Tested by Bucket of Eels and The Man Who Fell to Earth by UK-based Bafflegab Productions, which won in the Drama Special category for its new audio adaptation of the classic novel.

CBC/Radio-Canada was named Broadcaster of the Year, with Gold wins for programmes including The Current and IDEAS.

UK productions also featured in other winning entries, including Pete Tong’s Essential History of Dance Music by We Are Grape Ltd and *Shane MacGowan: The Old Main Drag* by Rich Power. BBC Audio Scotland & Northern Ireland won Gold in the Audiobook category for Prophet Song by Paul Lynch.

The winners were announced during a virtual ceremony on May 22. The awards jury consisted of over 200 media professionals from around the world, who evaluated entries from 26 countries.

For the full list of winners and to watch the 2025 Storytellers Gala, visit radio.newyorkfestivals.com.