MARTIN WEBSTER 

Writer, Director & Producer

Martin Webster is an award-winning British filmmaker, best known for his powerful work as a Writer, Director, and Producer on Penitent, Grail, and the critically acclaimed Iraq War documentary Diary of a Disgraced Soldier.

His 2021 feature film Penitent swept eight major awards at the Cannes World Film Festival, including Best Independent Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Actor. It was hailed by celebrated British director Tony Palmer as:

“A very considerable piece of work, and most importantly, an interesting twist on that terrible Bosnian war.”

Penitent has also won awards at top international film festivals including:

  • New York Cinema Festival – Best Independent Film (2021)

  • Tagore Film Festival (India) – Best Amateur Film (2021)

  • Swedish Film Festival – Best Feature Film (2021)

  • Tokyo Film Festival – Best Independent Film (2021)

  • Moscow Film Festival – Best War Film (2022)

  • Berlin International Arts Film Festival – Best Independent Film (2021)

  • Cult Critic Movie Awards – Best Independent Film (2021)

Webster’s debut documentary, Diary of a Disgraced Soldier (2009), is a raw and unflinching account of the psychological toll of modern warfare. It received the Best Documentary Award at the Critics Choice International Film Festival in 2022, and was described by Little White Lies magazine as:

“Hands-down winner of the Cornish Film Festival. Not for the faint-hearted.”

Through both narrative and documentary cinema, Webster brings truth, intensity, and emotional complexity to the screen, often exploring the hidden costs of war, trauma, and redemption.

Martin Webster is a British writer, director, and producer—an award-winning filmmaker whose work confronts the harsh realities of war and its aftermath .

Career & Background

  • Military Service: Served in the British Army as an infantry soldier, with deployments in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, and Iraq from the mid-1990s to 2007 

  • Filmmaking Shift: After capturing footage in Iraq that led to international controversy, Webster left the military and began making documentaries to process his experiences.

Key Works

  • Diary of a Disgraced Soldier (2009)
    A harrowing documentary featuring Webster’s own footage from Iraq and his journey with PTSD. It premiered in Cornwall, won Best Documentary at Critics Choice International in 2022, and was called “Hands‑down winner… not for the faint‑hearted” by Little White Lies 

  • Soldier of Consequence

  • A follow-up memoir and film exploring the fallout from the leaked footage. Praised as “a harrowing and humbling tale…” by journalist Sam Kiley 

  • Penitent (2021)

  • A psychological war drama set during the Bosnian War. It earned eight awards at the Cannes World Film Festival and won accolades globally (Tagore, Berlin, New York, Tokyo, Cult Critic, Moscow Gold) 

  • Grail
    An independent feature credited to Webster alongside Penitent, showcasing his growing scope as a filmmaker 

 Recognition & Awards

Webster’s work has been celebrated across major film festivals including Cannes, Berlin, New York, Tokyo, Tagore (India), Moscow Gold, Cult Critic, and more 

Personal Journey & Themes

His filmmaking is intensely personal—shaped by guilt, trauma, and the search for accountability. Webster channels lived experience into art: exposing the brutal truth of war, exploring PTSD, and giving voice to moral struggle .

Current & Future Projects

  • Exile: In development—focusing on Napoleon’s later years websterfilms.com.

  • He is also a published memoirist, hypnotherapist, and continues to work on projects blending film, therapy, and healing .

In Summary

Martin Webster transforms personal trauma into compelling storytelling. A former soldier turned filmmaker, his work gives raw, first-hand insight into the horrors of war, mental health struggles, and redemption. His films have resonated internationally, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated global audience.


 



International Film Festival Awards

  • Tagore Film Festival (India) – Winner, 2021

  • Berlin International Film Festival (Germany) – Winner, 2021

  • New York Independent Film Festival (USA) – Winner, 2021

  • Alvsbyn Sweden Film Festival – Winner, 2021

  • Tokyo Film Festival – Best Independent Film, 2021

  • Moscow Gold Film Awards – Best War Film, 2022

  • Golden Lemur Film Awards – Best Independent Film, 2021

  • VYRE Film Festival (Los Angeles, California) – Best Independent Film, 2021

  • Grand New York Film Awards – Best Feature Film, 2022

  • New Jersey Film Festival – Best Trailer, 2022

 Cannes World Film Festival – 2021 Wins (8 Awards)

  • Best Independent Film

  • Best Director

  • Best Producer

  • Best Editor

  • Best Actor

  • Best Music Score

  • Best Sound Design

  • Best Cinematography

Cult Movie Critic Awards – 2021 Wins

  • Best Feature Film

  • Best Cinematography