The race for the 98th Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature is proving to be a battleground of global significance, technological innovation, and deeply personal narratives. This year’s shortlist is dominated by films that refuse to look away from the most urgent crises of our time, ranging from the brutal realities of the Ukrainian frontline and the corrosion of Brazilian democracy to the intimate, high-stakes dramas playing out in American neighborhoods. Distributors, led by heavyweights like Netflix, HBO Max, and NEON, are deploying unprecedented resources to elevate these films, reflecting the documentary branch’s growing influence. The final list of nominees will ultimately reveal the collective conscience of the Academy, favoring films that blend profound storytelling with irrefutable social or political importance.
The New Frontline of Conflict and Crisis
The heart of the documentary race often lies in films that capture global events and political turmoil with urgency and immediacy. This year, the war in Ukraine continues to yield powerful cinema, most notably with 2000 Meters to Andriivka. Directed by Mstyslav Chernov, whose previous work has already garnered an Oscar, this film is a harrowing, on-the-ground account that plunges viewers into the sustained struggle for survival in a key eastern Ukrainian village. Its emotional weight and journalistic rigor, bolstered by distribution from Frontline and PBS, position it as a powerful contender that appeals to the Academy’s appreciation for risk-taking and truth-telling under duress.
In stark contrast to the physical frontlines of Europe, Apocalypse in the Tropics examines the slow-burn crisis of democracy in South America. Directed by Petra Costa, who previously earned an Oscar nomination for The Edge of Democracy, this film serves as a spiritual successor, delving into the powerful influence of evangelical political movements in Brazil. Costa masterfully uses her signature blend of personal narration and sweeping political analysis to explore how faith and politics are dangerously intertwined, creating a compelling narrative about how a nation can be subverted from within. It is a dense, necessary film that demands attention for its relevance to global political shifts.
A third major contender in this category is The Alabama Solution, which focuses on a domestic American crisis of systemic injustice. Though details are often kept tightly under wraps during the early campaigning, the film is backed by HBO Max and has been described as a searing indictment of entrenched political and legal systems. Its power lies in its ability to take a local or regional issue and use it as a microcosm for broader societal failures, a narrative technique that has historically resonated with the documentary branch, which prizes films that spur public conversation and potential change.
The Thrill of the Reveal: Investigative and True Crime
A significant portion of the current documentary buzz centers on films that use the framework of investigative journalism and true crime to expose institutional failures and societal flaws. The Netflix entry The Perfect Neighbor has generated enormous traction, not least because of its innovative style. Compiled primarily from body camera and Ring footage, the film follows a tragic neighborhood dispute that ends in senseless violence. Its popularity stems from its format—it is part true-crime procedural and part sociological study, holding a mirror up to community surveillance, paranoia, and the pervasive nature of social media in conflict escalation. The film’s commercial appeal and technical novelty make it a formidable favorite.
Meanwhile, a more traditional but equally powerful style of investigative filmmaking is championed by Cover-Up. With an Oscar winner like Laura Poitras among the producers, the film carries a profound pedigree, focusing on the work of legendary investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. The documentary delves into a specific, high-stakes government scandal that Hersh investigated, utilizing archival footage and new interviews to recreate the tension of high-level secrecy and political accountability. This is the kind of journalism-as-cinema that the Academy’s older, more established voting bloc deeply respects.
Finally, Raoul Peck’s Orwell: 2+2=5 presents a cerebral, yet essential, critique of authoritarianism through the lens of literature. Focusing on the enduring influence of George Orwell’s 1984 and his life, Peck uses the documentary format to draw chilling parallels between Orwell’s fictional world and contemporary global politics. This film appeals to the intellectual wing of the Academy, valuing high-level thought and the cinematic analysis of profound ideological struggles. Its nomination success relies on convincing voters that literary examination can be as urgent and compelling as on-the-ground reporting.
The Personal and Profound: Intimate Portraits
Not all films seeking Oscar glory tackle global conflicts; often, the most resonant films are those that offer intimate access to extraordinary lives or deeply moving personal journeys. Come See Me in the Good Light, distributed by Apple Original Films, is this year’s standout in this sub-genre. The film follows the life and creative process of celebrated poet and activist Andrea Gibson as they navigate a terminal cancer diagnosis alongside their wife. The documentary is praised for its vulnerability, emotional depth, and its celebration of art as a means of processing grief and finding love amidst chaos. Its widespread festival success indicates a strong emotional connection with audiences, which often translates directly to voter enthusiasm.
Another compelling character study is My Mom Jayne, a film that generated buzz due to its directorial connection: it is helmed by actress Mariska Hargitay and focuses on a deeply personal family story. Documentaries with a celebrity connection, provided they maintain authenticity and avoid vanity, can often leverage that visibility to gain crucial attention in the crowded mid-season. The film promises a powerful, unfiltered look at a complex mother-daughter relationship.
A third example of character-driven non-fiction is Deaf President Now!, which chronicles the landmark 1988 student protest at Gallaudet University. This film, backed by Apple Original Films, is more than a historical account; it is a celebration of community, advocacy, and the fight for representation. It offers an inspiring story of social change led by marginalized voices, which resonates strongly with the Academy’s mandate for diversity and impactful storytelling. These intimate portraits provide a necessary balance to the season’s heavier political fare.
The Power of Legacy: Historical and Cultural Reckoning
A subset of the documentary race is reserved for films that force a reckoning with history, culture, and the lasting impact of past events. Natchez, a winner at the Tribeca Film Festival, falls squarely into this category. The film observes a historic American city in the South as it attempts to confront its antebellum past and the enduring legacy of slavery. It is less a historical textbook and more an observation of a community grappling with uncomfortable truths in the present day, using its historical setting to provoke dialogue about contemporary racial justice.
Equally compelling is Riefenstahl, a profile piece that examines the life and toxic legacy of Leni Riefenstahl, the groundbreaking but deeply controversial filmmaker of the Nazi era. Distributed by Kino Lorber, the film attempts to dissect the intersection of genius, propaganda, and moral complicity. Such profile documentaries are challenging to execute but, when successful, offer a nuanced exploration of art’s political power, appealing to filmmakers and critics within the voting body.
Finally, The Eyes of Ghana, supported by Higher Ground Productions, provides a vital look at culture and societal development in West Africa. Films that highlight complex global narratives with sensitivity and respect are increasingly prioritized by the Academy, moving beyond traditional Western-centric stories. The Eyes of Ghana‘s critical success, particularly at international festivals, suggests its cultural significance will earn it high placement on many nomination ballots, celebrating cinema that opens a window onto underrepresented global experiences.
The Streamer Wars: Money, Campaigns, and the Final Vote
Underpinning the creative narratives of the documentary race is the logistical and financial battle waged by the major distributors. Netflix, with multiple top contenders like The Perfect Neighbor and Apocalypse in the Tropics, continues to dominate the sheer volume of high-quality documentaries, using its deep pockets to fund aggressive, year-round campaigns. HBO Max, with The Alabama Solution, and Apple Original Films, with Come See Me in the Good Light, are mounting fierce challenges, often focusing their resources on fewer, more carefully curated films with strong critical or festival backing.
The documentary branch of the Academy is uniquely discerning. Unlike the general membership, the specialized documentarians who comprise this branch are often resistant to overt campaigning and big-budget studio spectacle. They tend to favor films that showcase impeccable craft, deep reporting, and a clear directorial voice, often prioritizing work from non-U.S. filmmakers and established documentary masters. The shortlist—which cuts the field down to fifteen films—is highly anticipated because it offers the first true indicator of the branch’s complex tastes.
The ultimate winner must be a film that not only satisfies the stringent quality requirements of the branch but also manages to break through to the wider Academy membership during the final voting round. The competition is a strategic chess match where grassroots support, critical consensus, and thematic urgency must align. Whether the Academy ultimately champions the hard-hitting investigative thrill of Cover-Up, the emotional resonance of Come See Me in the Good Light, or the powerful global journalism of 2000 Meters to Andriivka, the selection will reflect the defining concerns and aesthetic preferences of the global cinematic community.
