The Academy’s rules for Best Documentary are so arbitrary and asinine that I always hold my breath when it comes to their shortlist. A list of final nominees is frustrating in any category, but it’s infuriating when a good film doesn’t even get a chance to compete. Thankfully, there are plenty of good choices among this year’s shortlist. The films eligible for a Best Documentary Oscar nomination include The Act of Killing (I’d be ballistic if this wasn’t in the running; my review), Cutie and the Boxer, God Loves Uganda, Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer, Stories We Tell (my review, although the movie didn't hold up as well on a repeat viewing), and 20 Feet From Stardom (my review). If you have HBO GO, you can check out Pussy Riot along with other shortlisted docs The Crash Reel, First Cousin Once Removed, and Life According to Sam. As far as snubs go, I wish Casting By was in the running, but considering that it directly criticizes the Academy for not having an award for casting directors, I’m not surprised by its exclusion.
Hit the jump for the full shortlist. Nominations for the 86th Academy Awards will be announced on January 16th.
Via Nonfics.
- The Act of Killing
- The Armstrong Lie
- Blackfish
- The Crash Reel
- Cutie and the Boxer
- Dirty Wars
- First Cousin Once Removed
- God Loves Uganda
- Life According to Sam
- Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer
- The Square
- Stories We Tell
- Tim’s Vermeer
- 20 Feet from Stardom
- Which Way Is the Front Line from Here? The Life and Time of Tim Hetherington
