The Donkey Sanctuary has won the Smiley Charity People’s Choice’ Gold award for its film, ‘Stolen Donkeys, Stolen Futures’, illustrating the devastating human and animal cost behind the donkey skin trade.
This award is an opportunity for the charity to raise greater awareness of the suffering caused by the trade and The Donkey Sanctuary’s Stop the Slaughter campaign to end it.
‘Stolen Donkeys, Stolen Futures’ shines a light on donkey owners Josephine and Esther in Kenya, and the impact the trade has had on their lives.
The animal welfare charity is among the 29 winners of the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards. Now in its ninth year, the programme recognises the most impactful films internationally.
“We are incredibly proud that our film Stolen Donkeys, Stolen Futures has been recognised with the People’s Choice award in our category at the Smiley Charity Film Awards,” said Marianne Steele, CEO of The Donkey Sanctuary.
“This award is so meaningful because it reflects the public’s support for exposing one of the most urgent animal welfare threats today.
“The global donkey skin trade sees millions of donkeys slaughtered every year for their skins to make Traditional Chinese Medicine, often in brutal conditions.
“As this film shows, not only is this decimating global donkey populations, it is also devastating the communities who depend on donkeys for their livelihoods.
“Through powerful storytelling, this film helps us shine a light on this hidden crisis and inspire action. We are deeply grateful to everyone who voted and will continue to raise our voices until this inhumane trade is brought to an end.”
You can watch the moving film here.
