‘Make the World a Refuge’ wins Film of the Year

Domestic abuse awareness film starring Billie Piper takes home prestigious award 

‘Make the world a Refuge’, a powerful short film exploring the diverse forms of domestic abuse, has been awarded Charity Film of the Year 2025 at the Smiley Charity Film Awards. 

Announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday 20th March, ‘Make the World a Refuge’ claimed the biggest award of the night for its vital role in raising awareness of domestic abuse. 

The film was created by Refuge, the largest specialist domestic abuse service provider in the country, in collaboration with its ambassador, world-renowned actor Billie Piper, and London-based creative agency AMV BBDO. Directed by BAFTA-winning ‘I Hate Suzie’ & ‘Kaos’ director Georgi Banks-Davies, it brings a powerful, raw portrayal of the realities of domestic abuse. 

Released in late 2024, the film depicts Billie reading real-life testimonies from survivors of domestic abuse, allowing their stories to be heard while protecting their anonymity.     

The testimonies include examples of coercive control, technology-facilitated abuse and financial abuse – alongside physical violence. Controlling behaviour is at the heart of all forms of domestic abuse and can present itself in a multitude of ways, such as tracking a survivor’s phone or isolating them from their family and friends.  

New data released by Refuge earlier this month revealed that the true scale of domestic abuse is significantly underestimated, with only a quarter of UK adults (26%) aware that 1 in 4 women will experience it in their lifetime.   

In response to these findings, and as a follow up to ‘Make the World a Refuge’, Refuge launched a powerful new campaign for International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8th March designed to expose the hidden dangers women face in abusive relationships. 

Billie Piper said: 

“Platforming survivor voices is vital in tackling domestic abuse, so ‘Make the World a Refuge’ was an incredibly important project for me. The film’s impact has been truly remarkable, and I am honoured to have lent my voice to these survivors’ words. However, we cannot stop talking about domestic abuse and the many ways it can manifest. Understanding the signs of abuse could save a life, and I hope this film continues to show survivors that they are not alone.” 

Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, said:  

“I am thrilled Refuge’s impactful short film has received this impressive accolade from the Smiley Charity Film Awards. As our new data demonstrates, the prevalence of domestic abuse is still severely underestimated. We must keep raising awareness about the varied signs of abuse so that all survivors can access the support they deserve.” 

Laura Burnell, Head of Communications & Marketing at Refuge, who accepted the award on the night, said:  

“The atmosphere at the ceremony was electric, and it was incredibly moving to see the film receive such recognition. It was a proud moment for all of us to honour the bravery of the survivors whose stories made the film possible, and to know that it’s making a real impact in raising awareness of domestic abuse.”