Humanists UK’s Faith to Faithless service has won two awards at the Smiley Charity Film Awards 2026 for its film Introducing Faith to Faithless.
The Smiley Charity Film Awards, now in their ninth year, are recognised by both the British Film Institute (BFI) and IMDb. The competition celebrates and actively promotes films made for charities and purpose-driven organisations, engaging millions of people through voting and media reach. With over 500 films entered this year, the organisers described it as the most competitive Smiley Charity Film Awards to date.
The film received a Bronze award from the judges and a People’s Choice Silver award, the latter decided entirely by public vote. The People’s Choice result means thousands of members of the public watched the film and chose to vote for it. Humanists UK was recognised alongside some of the UK’s best-known charities, including Save the Children UK, Samaritans, Mind, and the RSPCA.
Support and Advocacy Services Manager Donna Craine said:
‘We are absolutely delighted to have won two awards at this year’s Smiley Charity Film Awards. The People’s Choice Silver is particularly meaningful – it tells us that thousands of people watched our film and felt moved enough to vote for us, which speaks to how important this issue is.
So many people leave high-control religious environments in silence, not knowing that support exists. These awards help shine a light on that hidden crisis, and we hope they encourage anyone who needs help to reach out to Faith to Faithless.’
More about Faith to Faithless
Faith to Faithless is the only UK-based support programme of its kind dedicated to helping people leave high-control religious environments– or ‘apostates’ as they are often called. These vulnerable people often have no one to turn to as they navigate life outside of their religious community. They often face social isolation, unemployment and even homelessness.
Unlike generic support helplines, the Faith to Faithless service understands the often-nuanced experiences faced by people leaving high control religious environments. These experiences can include forced homelessness, forced unemployment, and social isolation resulting from shunning by family and peers who remain within the religion.
As well as the specialist helpline featured in the video, Faith to Faithless provides support to people leaving high-control religions and cults through confidential peer support from trained volunteers, many of whom have personal experience of leaving high-control religions.
Since Faith to Faithless was founded in 2015, demand for its services has grown each year. However, many people who could benefit from the service may not know where to look for help. The short film aims to raise awareness of this unique resource, and the Smiley Charity Film Awards provide an opportunity for the film to reach an even wider audience.
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For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Head of Press and Campaign Communications Nathan Stilwell at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959 (media only).
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.