WHISTLEBLOWER is a deep dive into a world where extreme caution is essential for survival. Three courageous protagonists in Africa, Europe, and the US put their lives, careers, and families at risk to reveal informations that are being kept secret from us purely for the sake of power.

An in-depth exploration of a world where survival demands both courage and extreme caution. Three protagonists from Africa, Europe, and the United States risk their lives, careers, and their families’ safety to expose truths carefully concealed from the public.

For the first time, the film presents the universal dimension of whistleblowing and the price paid by those who choose to speak out. Whistleblowers become targets of lobbyists, governments, and intelligence agencies conducting relentless campaigns of intimidation and defamation. Among the protagonists is Jean-Jacques Lumumba, the grandson of Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba, who faces harassment and threats while living in exile in France. Alongside him is Daniel Hale, a former NSA intelligence analyst who, during the Trump administration, faced up to ten years in prison for allegedly disclosing classified information.

The film also portrays those supporting whistleblowers: Delphine Halgand-Mishra and her organization, The Signals Network, which provides them with protection and assistance, as well as Holden Triplett, the former head of counterintelligence at the White House. Journalists behind the Panama Papers investigation also play a key role, as new whistleblowers approach them with further shocking revelations.

This is a story about courage, responsibility, and the fight for truth in a world where silence is often safer than speaking out.

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Info

feature documentary
Germany 2026

length: 90 Min / 52 Min,
Format: 16:9

director: Marc Bauder
DoP: Börres Weiffenbach
Montage: Stefan Stabenow, Olaf Voigtländer, Janine Dauterich, Marc Bauder
music: Thomas Kürstner & Sebastian Vogel
sound: Claudia Leder, Oliver Stahn, Marcus Vetter, Alex Rubin
production manager: Bettina Morlock
producer: Marc Bauder
commissioning editor: Udo Bremer (ZDF/3sat), Rolf Bergmann (rbb)

a bauderfilm production in coproduction with ZDF/3sat and rbb

funded by Medienboard, FFA, BKM Beauftragter der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien and DFFF

Festivals and awards

DOK.Fest Munich, Germany 2026
Millennium Docs Against Gravity, Poland 2026
Docdays UA, Ukraine 2026
Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, Australia 2026

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