Best Documentary: Non-English Language

Best Documentary: Non-English Language (BDNEL) is a category dedicated to celebrating and promoting outstanding audio work produced specifically in a language or languages other than English, from anywhere in the world.

There is one award in this category, honored with a unique physical award, and public recognition around the world. Third Coast also names Third Coast Finalists in this category, announced alongside the Winner.

Your last chance to enter the Best Documentary: Non-English Language category will be March 20, 2025 (Late Deadline). For a complete list of deadlines, see our Call for Entries homepage.


Full Category Description

Created in 2016, the Best Documentary: Non-English Language (BDNEL) category seeks to honor outstanding work made in all languages other than English.

While entries in non-English languages may be considered for other categories too, this category remains a place to specifically award a single excellent work in a language other than English. We believe in actively encouraging work in all languages, and strive to bring in a greater breadth of work from underrepresented languages across all categories in the Third Coast Competition.


2024-25 Eligibility Information

  • Length: Standalone pieces between 0-75 minutes, as well as serialized stories containing multiple episodes that, in combination, add up to between 75 minutes-15 hours. Pieces eligible for Audio Unbound may also be considered in this category.
  • Publication: Must have been published between April 2, 2022 - March 20, 2025
  • Format: One single audio file. All advertisements or sponsorship segments MUST be removed from the audio file — this includes previews for upcoming episodes of this or other programs.
  • Language: Must be in a language other than English.

2024-25 Entry Rates

As always, our entry rates were most affordable the sooner you enter. Take advantage of the “We Need Third Coast” Flash Sale, offering the lowest rates of the season before December 17!

You can read the 2024-25 Third Coast Competition, check out our complete breakdown of sliding scale rates across all categories. As always, our rates are shaped by our Collective Pricing philosophy, which distributes cost according to entrants’ access to resources.


2024-25 Entry Checklist

  • Audio file (mp3 preferred, .wav also accepted) WITH ALL ADS REMOVED
  • Total length of the entry (Minutes:Seconds)
  • Link to a published version of the story
  • Full credits (host, producer, sound designer, editor, etc.)
  • Description/summary of your entry (150 words or fewer preferred)
  • Translated transcript, with regular time codes and page numbers. You may additionally submit a transcript in the original language, but it is not required.

Best Documentary: Non-English Language FAQ

Can I enter other categories too?
  • Yes. There are no language requirements on any other categories, so as long as you meet the other eligibility criteria, you are welcome to submit this entry into multiple categories.
How should I format the transcript?
  • All entries meant to be heard and understood in a language other than English must be accompanied by one easy-to-read PDF transcript in English. An original-language transcript is also welcome, but not required. The transcript should include: Regular time codes (at least one per page); Non-verbal cues such as music, sounds or effects (when possible); Page numbers. See an example transcript here. (Note: We love the artful elements of the cover page of this transcript, but that’s not a requirement for this category.)
The entry I’d like to submit is made in more than one language. Does it qualify for this category?
  • Yes, bilingual or multilingual entries are eligible for this category, so long as English is not the primary language used in the work.

Can I submit a video with English-language subtitles in addition to transcripts of the piece?

  • Yes, we love subtitled videos! Please include the link in the "Entry Summary." Alternately, if you run out of space in the Entry Summary, you can add a page or paragraph to your transcript PDF with a link to the video, or you are welcome to send us the video directly via a file sharing service like WeTransfer or Dropbox to competition@thirdcoastfestival.org.

Previous Winners


Interested in hearing pieces that have won this category in prior years? Click on the play button next to some of our most recent winners below.

Past Recipients

2020 Crosses in the Desert

Alvaro Enciso is a retired man who lives in Tucson, Arizona. He puts crosses in the exact places where dead migrant bodies have been found in the Sonoran desert.

2017 Los Cassettes del Exilio

For much of Dennis Maxwell’s childhood, his father was living in exile, communicating with the family via cassette tapes.