Charities

The Donkey Sanctuary Scoops National Film Award

Good News Post

May 2, 2026 — 3 min read

The Donkey Sanctuary Scoops National Film Award - Josephine with her donkey - credit The Donkey Sanctuary

By Charities Correspondent

The Donkey Sanctuary has won the  Smiley Charity ‘People’s Choice’ Gold award for its campaign film, ‘Stolen Donkeys, Stolen Futures’

The compelling short film which illustrates the devastating human and animal cost behind the cruel donkey skin trade, received the greatest number of public votes in its category.

*The Donkey Sanctuary Scoops National Film Award - Donkey with her owner - credit The Donkey Sanctuary*

This coveted award is an exciting opportunity to raise even greater awareness of the suffering caused by the donkey skin trade and The Donkey Sanctuary’s Stop the Slaughter campaign to end it.

'Stolen Donkeys, Stolen Futures’ shines a light on donkey owners Josephine and Esther in Kenya, and the impact the trade has had on their lives.

The Devon-based animal welfare charity is among the 29 winners of the 2026 Smiley® Charity Film Awards. Now in its ninth year, the programme recognises the most powerful and impactful cause-based video and films across the UK and internationally.

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Marianne Steele, CEO of The Donkey Sanctuary, said:

“We are incredibly proud that our film  Stolen Donkeys, Stolen Futures  has been recognised with the People’s Choice award in our category at the Smiley Charity Film Awards. This award is so meaningful because it reflects the public’s support for exposing one of the most urgent animal welfare threats today.

*The Donkey Sanctuary Scoops National Film Award - Esther with her donkey - credit The Donkey Sanctuary*

“The global donkey skin trade sees millions of donkeys slaughtered every year for their skins to make Traditional Chinese Medicine, often in brutal conditions. As this film shows, not only is this decimating global donkey populations, it is also devastating the communities who depend on donkeys for their livelihoods.

“Through powerful storytelling, this film helps us shine a light on this hidden crisis and inspire action. We are deeply grateful to everyone who voted and will continue to raise our voices until this inhumane trade is brought to an end.”

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