Award-winning filmmaker Eugene Jarecki is set to make history as he becomes the first-ever recipient of the Golden Globe Award for Documentary, recognising his powerful new film The Six Billion Dollar Man: Julian Assange and the Price of Truth.
The prestigious honour will be presented by Helen Hoehne, CEO of the Golden Globes, during an exclusive ceremony at Soho House Holloway in West Hollywood on Wednesday 7 January 2026. The newly introduced award marks a significant moment for documentary filmmaking, spotlighting the growing cultural and political impact of non-fiction cinema.
A Cannes-Winning Documentary Exploring Truth, Power and Press Freedom
Winner of the L’Œil d’Or Prize at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, The Six Billion Dollar Man pulls back the curtain on the real story behind WikiLeaks, charting the rise — and relentless persecution — of its founder Julian Assange.
Blending investigative journalism with the pace of a real-life spy thriller, the documentary offers never-before-seen footage and unprecedented access to key figures surrounding the case. Jarecki’s film examines how whistleblowing, state power and global politics collide, raising urgent questions about what happens when journalism itself is criminalised.
The film features contributions from a remarkable line-up of voices including Edward Snowden, Naomi Klein, Stella Assange, Pamela Anderson, Daniel Ellsberg, Nils Melzer, and Rafael Correa, offering a wide-ranging and deeply human perspective on one of the most polarising figures of the modern era.
“A Cautionary Tale for Our Times”
Reacting to the announcement, Jarecki — a two-time Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner whose previous work includes Why We Fight and The House I Live In — described the award as both a personal honour and a broader statement about the state of global journalism.
He noted that the recognition from the Golden Globes, an organisation comprised of journalists, signals a growing awareness of the dangers facing whistleblowers and reporters worldwide. According to Jarecki, the Assange story stands as a warning of how technological innovation designed to protect truth-telling has been met with increasing hostility from those in power.
“The Assange story is a cautionary tale,” he said, “and one that should compel all of us to stand up for truth — and for those who risk their lives to bring it to us.”
US Theatrical Release Confirmed
Following its critical success, Watermelon Pictures has acquired the North American rights to The Six Billion Dollar Man, with a nationwide US theatrical release planned for spring 2026.
The documentary is produced by Kathleen Fournier and Eugene Jarecki, with executive producers James Packer, Addison O’Dea, and Mathilde Bonnefoy.
Golden Globe Documentary Award Ceremony Details:
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Date: Wednesday 7 January 2026
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Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm (PST)
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Venue: Soho House Holloway, 8465 Holloway Drive, West Hollywood, California
For more information about the film, visit the official website: https://www.thesixbilliondollarman.com/
