Changing tides in the Oscar race for documentaries

A new era for documentary films

For nearly two decades, an Academy Award nomination for documentary features required more than just a well-crafted film by a talented director and crew. The reality was that having a high-six-figure or more award season campaign budget was nearly essential for consideration. This meant that only films with deep-pocket distributors could dream of Oscar glory.

Redefining the path to Oscar glory

However, recent trends suggest a shift is underway. The 96th Academy Awards held in March 2024, highlighted this change, as all five nominated feature documentaries were international films focusing on geopolitical topics, many without massive award-season campaign budgets. Take, for instance, To Kill a Tiger by Nisha Pahuja, which didn’t secure distribution until a month before the ceremony when Netflix picked it up.

Ultimately, the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature went to PBS’ Frontline Ukraine war film, 20 Days in Mariupol. This win suggests that award-hungry streamers may need to reconsider their hesitance towards politically-charged documentaries if they wish to remain competitive.

The current contenders

This year’s leading contenders for the documentary feature category are politically-driven films like No Other Land by Basel Adra, Union by Brett Story and Stephen Maing, and Mediha by Hasan Oswald. All these films lack distribution deals but have garnered critical acclaim and numerous top prizes at prestigious film festivals.

Meanwhile, documentaries such as Alexis Bloom’s The Bibi Files, which covers the life of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Errol Morris’ Separated, focusing on immigration control, are also strong contenders. Both films already have distribution but feature significantly lower award-season budgets compared to those backed by major streamers.

Financial constraints and artistic freedom

The major streamers seem to favor more commercial, broad-appeal nonfiction films over political documentaries. Despite this, the practice of inviting members of the documentary branch to costly award season screenings, such as at the Crosby Street Hotel and the Whitby Hotel in New York City, continues unabated. Expensive e-blasts from organizations like DOC NYC and the International Documentary Association (IDA) are still a mainstay, and billboards aimed at wooing Los Angeles Academy voters are still being erected.

Still, the likes of Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, Warner Bros., Nat Geo, and MTV Films remain in the documentary game, pushing for Oscars with noteworthy films. Netflix is rallying behind three documentaries acquired from Sundance: Natalie Rae and Angela Patton’s Daughters, Benjamin Ree’s The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, and Josh Greenbaum’s Will & Harper. Amazon seeks awards recognition for Carla Gutiérrez’s Frida and Irene Taylor’s I Am Celine Dion. Nat Geo aims for a nomination with Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie’s Sugarcane, while Warner Bros. promotes Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui’s Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. Disney+ supports R.J. Cutler’s Elton John doc, Never Too Late. MTV Documentary Films backs Shiori Ito’s Black Box Diaries.

The unpredictable nature of Oscar nominations

Given that last season’s big-budget documentaries focusing on celebrities, like Davis Guggenheim’s Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie and Matthew Heineman’s American Symphony, were snubbed, it’s uncertain if celebrity-centric titles such as Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, Never Too Late, I Am Celine Dion, and Will & Harper will succeed this year.

The lack of distribution avenues for independently made documentaries that tackle social issues has become a significant challenge within the nonfiction community. Most documentary directors have had to engage in extensive fundraising efforts to facilitate the distribution of their films. This changing landscape has possibly led to a backlash against streamers expending millions on Oscar campaigns. Lavish events, extensive lobbying, and marketing dollars might not have the desired impact, paving the way for a more level playing field among all contenders vying for that coveted gold statue.

The evolution of the Oscar race for documentaries highlights a shifting industry, where artistic excellence can trump financial muscle. Stay tuned for more updates, and feel free to share this article on social media or follow our site for the latest insights and analyses.