The independent feature documentary Homegrown has been honored with a 2026 Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Silver Baton Award, one of the most prestigious recognitions in journalism. Directed by Michael Premo, the film was named among fifteen award winners for outstanding public service reporting, placing it alongside work traditionally produced by major broadcast and newsroom institutions. Often described as the broadcast equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize, the duPont Award highlights reporting that serves the public interest with depth, integrity, and impact.
The announcement was made on January 29, 2026, in New York City, marking a major milestone for independent investigative filmmaking. Homegrown is currently available to stream in North America and the United Kingdom through February 16, 2026.
A Rare Honor for Independent Journalism
In a year dominated by entries from established media organizations, Homegrown stands out as one of the only independently produced films to receive a duPont Award. Created entirely outside a newsroom or broadcast network, the documentary demonstrates that long-form, independent reporting can rival and even surpass institutional journalism in scope and significance.
The award recognizes the film’s exceptional access, years of original reporting, and its unflinching examination of a violent political movement operating within the United States. The honor underscores the growing importance of independent journalists at a time when press freedoms and public trust face increasing pressure.
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Recognition at the duPont Awards Ceremony
At the duPont Awards ceremony in New York City, veteran journalist and 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley introduced Homegrown as a powerful and unsettling portrait of a movement prepared to use violence to achieve its political aims. He praised the film’s cinéma vérité approach and journalistic rigor, emphasizing its unprecedented access to individuals who came to believe the 2020 election was stolen and ultimately took their actions from the streets to the U.S. Capitol.
Pelley also reflected on the broader state of journalism, noting the critical role of truth-telling during a period of hostility toward the press. He highlighted the courage of journalists and citizen reporters alike, emphasizing that the act of recording reality remains one of democracy’s strongest defenses.
Seven Years of Immersive Reporting
Spanning seven years and more than 350 hours of field footage, Homegrown offers an extraordinary ground-level chronicle of political radicalization in modern America. The documentary follows three conservative activists whose engagement evolves from grassroots campaigning to direct confrontation, culminating in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and extending into the movement’s aftermath.
The film’s depth is the result of years of patient relationship-building across the right-wing political ecosystem. Premo gained access to individuals associated with groups such as the Proud Boys, militia-aligned organizers, and mainstream conservative circles, capturing private moments and candid conversations rarely seen on camera.
Unprecedented Access and Ethical Filmmaking
What distinguishes Homegrown is not only its access, but its ethical commitment to observation over sensationalism. Using a non-judgmental vérité style, the film documents domestic life, protest preparation, internal debates, and moments of doubt alongside acts of mobilization and confrontation.
Notably, Homegrown is the only known nonfiction project to film a participant before, during, and after the January 6 insurrection. This longitudinal perspective provides a rare and invaluable historical record of how beliefs evolve into action over time.
Inside a Movement Willing to Use Violence
Director Michael Premo described the award as a profound recognition of independent journalism. He emphasized that the proximity achieved in the film was only possible through independence and a long-term commitment to remaining present long after public attention moved on.
Producer Rachel Falcone echoed this sentiment, noting that the film challenges common assumptions about extremist movements. Homegrown reveals a political landscape that is more emotionally driven, interconnected, and diverse than often portrayed, underscoring the need for nuanced and sustained reporting.
Challenging Myths of American Exceptionalism
Beyond documenting specific events, Homegrown confronts the notion that political violence is an external or foreign phenomenon. The film exposes multiracial participation within far-right movements, the normalization of militant nationalism, and the emotional and communal forces that draw individuals toward extremist ideologies.
Through careful editing and factual discipline, the documentary avoids amplifying misinformation. Statements made by participants are consistently juxtaposed with real-world consequences, offering viewers a clear-eyed and verifiable account of events. Scholars and journalists have since described the film as a vital document of contemporary political history.
About the duPont–Columbia Awards
Founded in 1942, the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Awards honor excellence in journalism across audio and video platforms. Administered by Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism since 1968, the awards recognize reporting that informs the public and strengthens democratic accountability.
The 2026 jury, composed of seasoned journalists and media leaders, selected fifteen winners and one special citation from a competitive pool that included national and local news outlets as well as streaming platforms.
About Homegrown
Produced by Storyline in association with Bird Street Productions and Impact Partners, Homegrown premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it received the Best Technical Contribution award. The film has since earned multiple international honors, including recognition at Film Fest Cologne and Filmfest DC.
Shot between 2018 and 2025 using vintage Leica lenses, Homegrown blends cinematic craftsmanship with investigative depth, capturing one of the most consequential transformations in recent U.S. political life.
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