Oscar documentary race narrows

Tales of war, social conflict and environmental renewal lead the charge

by Jennie Kermode

Honeyland
Honeyland Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Film Festival

The 15 film preliminary shortlist for Best Documentary at the 92nd Oscars was announced today. It includes two films focused on the crisis in Syria, The Cave and For Sama. The director of the former, Feras Fayyad, described it as a deeply personal film and said "I hope this film helps us all to look into the darkest corners of our souls and inspires us to search for the light," while the director of the latter, Waad al-Kateab, told us "I just wanted to do something to bring justice to the story that I had lived through."

Also nominated are several films concerned with the overlap of social and environmental issues, including Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov's Honeyland, which follows a beehunter's attempt to save a species.

Special screenings of the shortlisted films have been announced in 20 cities across the US, starting from Christmas Day.

The final five films shortlisted for the prize will be announced on Monday, January 13, 2020, and the winner chosen at the ceremony in Los Angeles on 9 February.

That shortlist in full:-

Share this with others on...
News

The serpent's call Composer Stephen Lukach on creating tension and awe in Beware Boiúna

Care and community Mike Leigh and the Tender Loving Care cast on humanity and looking out for one another

The aftermath Jorge Thielen Armand on returning to Venezuela to make Death Has No Master

Making magic Gregg Bishop on witches, inspiring actors, instinctive filmmaking and The Heretiks

The road to The Guests Cristina Diz and Stefan Butzmühlen on working together on their latest film

Beyond Saturn Tina Gharavi, Tala Calil and Assaad Bouab on Shadows Of Beirut

Puppy love Brad Pitt on the 'moving' Heart Of The Beast shoot thanks to furry co-star Odin

More news and features

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


San Sebastian Golden night for Tender Loving Care


Toronto La Bola Negra wins People's Choice award


San Sebastian Naomi Watts dedicates Donostia Award to Lynch


San Sebastian Werner Herzog honoured


Dinard Full programme announced


LFF Full programme announced