The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has narrowed the list of 170 eligible documentary films to just 15 that remain in contention for the Oscar.
The new shortlist includes Frederick Wiseman’s three-hour-plus film about the New York Public Library, Ex Libris — The New York Public Library, Agnes Varda and JR’s playfully collaborative Faces Places, Bryan Fogel’s Russian Olympic doping exposé Icarus, and Brett Morgen’s archive-footage recreation of the early career of British primatologist, Jane.
Agnes Varda and JR in Faces Places
Cohen Media Group
The 15 films are, in alphabetical order:
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail, Mitten Media, Motto Pictures, Kartemquin Educational Films and WGBH/FRONTLINE
Chasing Coral, Exposure Labs in partnership with The Ocean Agency & View Into the Blue in association with Argent Pictures & The Kendeda Fund
City of Ghosts, Our Time Projects and Jigsaw Productions
Ex Libris – The New York Public Library, Ex Libris Films
Faces Places, Ciné Tamaris
Human Flow, Participant Media and AC Films
Icarus, Netflix Documentary in association with Impact Partners, Diamond Docs, Chicago Media Project and Alex Productions
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, Paramount Pictures and Participant Media
Jane, National Geographic Studios in association with Public Road Productions
LA 92, Lightbox
Last Men in Aleppo, Larm Film
Long Strange Trip, Double E Pictures, AOMA Sunshine Films and Sikelia
One of Us, Loki Films
Strong Island, Yanceville Films and Louverture Films
Unrest, Shella Films and Little by Little Films
Icarus director Bryan Fogel
Netflix
For more details, see StudioDaily’s interviews with Abacus director Steve James and Icarus director Bryan Fogel.
The final five contenders for Best Documentary Feature will be announced with the rest of the nominations on January 23.
