‘Devils on Horses’ and ‘Mighty Indeed’ are Finalists for the Doc Edge Awards 2025

Devils on Horses, directed by DEGANZ member Edward Sampson, and Mighty Indeed, directed by Vanessa Wells (DEGANZ) and edited by fellow member Emma Smart, are finalists in the New Zealand Feature Film category for the 2025 Doc Edge Awards.

Doc Edge is Aotearoa’s premiere international documentary film festival and an Oscar-qualifying event. The winner of the New Zealand Feature Film category will receive a cash prize and be eligible for Oscar consideration in 2026.

Devils on Horses

Directed by Edward Sampson

Set against the brutal backdrop of the Sinai-Palestine campaigns in WWI, this powerful story reveals the unbreakable bond between soldiers and their horses, trusted companions that offered comfort, courage, and connection in the face of unrelenting war. Through stunning visuals, raw interviews, and immersive reenactments, the film brings to life the emotional journey of men who found strength in their steeds.

But when peace arrived, a cruel twist — strict quarantine laws — forced many to leave their loyal partners behind. Heart-wrenching and deeply human, this is a timely reflection on the scars of war and the battles soldiers continue to fight long after returning home.

Mighty Indeed

Directed by Vanessa Wells

Edited by Emma Smart

In one of the harshest places on Earth, three women from different generations chase a hidden and ephemeral world beneath the Antarctic sea ice. Dr Natalie Robinson leads a world-first expedition to McMurdo Sound, joined by microbiologist Jacqui Stuart on her first trip south. Mentoring them from afar is veteran sea ice physicist Professor Pat Langhorne.

Battling brutal weather and isolation, the team discovers extraordinary tiny creatures within the delicate structures of the ice. Weaving personal stories with rich archival footage and groundbreaking science, this is an intimate and deeply human portrait set against the immense scale of Antarctica, shared with grit, wit, and surprising warmth.

Both Edward and Vanessa will be attending Q&As following the screenings of their films in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

Last updated on 12 June 2025