The 2025 CDS Filmmaker Award Goes to “Coexistence, My Ass!”

A woman speaks into a microphone with glowing light behind her.

At the 2025 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, the Duke Center for Documentary Studies (CDS) presented its CDS Filmmaker Award to “Coexistence, My Ass!” directed by Amber Fares.

Full Frame is a vital program of CDS and embodies Duke’s commitment to the arts and community engagement. The CDS Filmmaker Award, offered for the 23rd time, recognizes documentary films that combine originality and creativity with firsthand experience in examining societal issues of our time. In keeping with the CDS mission, the award was created to honor and support documentary artists whose works are potential catalysts for education and change.

This year staff, students and faculty for CDS and collaborating departments across Duke juried the prize, considering all 25 films in the NEW DOCS category. 

“Coexistence, My Ass!” Film Description

Noam Shuster-Eliassi grew up in Neve Shalom, an intentionally integrated “oasis of peace” overlooking the Ayalon Valley. Raised by an Iranian Jewish mom and Romanian Jewish father, Noam was born into activism and the pursuit of equal human rights in Israel/Palestine. She spent her teen years advocating for peace and landed a UN job after college. Dissatisfied with the impact of her work there, Noam received a timely invitation from Harvard to create a peace project, which she accepted. She chose to craft a comedy show, thinking the stage would help amplify both her voice and cause. Director Amber Fares’s compellingly forthright film follows Noam on this deeply personal and political journey, as she effectively uses acumen and satire to navigate difficult territory even as dire events unfold at home. Noam’s message never wavers in its intent to voice resistance, and she clearly outlines a simple truth: coexistence can only happen between equals.  

More About Full Frame

The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival is one of the world’s premiere showcases for nonfiction cinema. Renowned for its film curation, support for artists and vibrant atmosphere, Full Frame draws an international mix of attendees to Durham every spring. Over four days, the Academy Award®–qualifying festival screens films, hosts panels and parties, and fosters community among filmmakers, industry professionals and audience members.

See the full list of 2025 award winners.