Prepare to be surprised: the Oscar documentary category this year has delivered some unexpected twists, inspiring stories, and a few notable omissions that are sparking conversation among cinephiles and industry insiders alike. But here's where it gets controversial—while one filmmaker, Geeta Gandbhir, celebrates her first two Oscar nominations, some past winners and familiar names have been surprisingly left out of the running. Let's dive into the details.
In a remarkable achievement, director Geeta Gandbhir received her very first Oscar nods this morning, securing two nominations: one in the Best Documentary Feature category for her film The Perfect Neighbor, and another in the Short Documentary category for The Devil Is Busy, which she co-directed along with Christalyn Hampton. These nominations mark a significant milestone in Gandbhir’s career, which is sure to elevate her profile in the documentary filmmaking world.
The Perfect Neighbor, a Netflix-produced documentary, sheds light on a tragic and provocative crime that took place in Ocala, Florida, earlier this year. It recounts the shooting of Ajike Owens, a 35-year-old Black woman and mother of four, by her neighbor Susan Lorincz, a 58-year-old white woman. Gandbhir uses almost exclusively police body camera and dash cam footage to present this powerful story, giving viewers an unfiltered look at the events.
Meanwhile, The Devil Is Busy explores the challenges faced by a young woman in Afghanistan, highlighting the ongoing struggles for women's rights in a deeply patriarchal society. This film, along with Gandbhir’s work, demonstrates the growing diversity and scope in contemporary documentary storytelling.
Surprisingly, the Oscar documentary branch has passed over some prominent previous winners. Notably, Laura Poitras, who clinched the Oscar for Citizenfour, was left out despite her recent shortlisted nomination with Cover-Up, which she co-directed with Mark Obenhaus. Additionally, Mstyslav Chernov, who won Best Documentary Feature for his harrowing coverage of the Ukraine war in 20 Days in Mariupol two years ago, was also overlooked for his follow-up project, 2000 Meters to Andriivka, which examines the ongoing conflict from a different perspective.
In the Best Documentary Feature race, Ryan White’s Come See Me in the Good Light earns its first Oscar nomination. This heartfelt film from Apple TV, produced along with Jessica Hargrave, Tig Notaro, and Stef Willen—who also received individual nominations—tells the emotionally charged story of poets Andrea Gibson and Meg Falley, exploring how they faced Gibson’s terminal cancer diagnosis with resilience, humor, and grace.
Another noteworthy nomination goes to Cutting Through Rocks, awarded the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance last year. Despite lacking U.S. distribution, the film earned a spot at the Oscars, recognizing Iranian-born filmmakers Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni. Their documentary centers on Sara Shahverdi, the first woman in her village to be elected to the local council—a groundbreaking achievement in a male-dominated society.
Veteran filmmaker Andrew Jarecki, known for his Emmy-winning series The Jinx and his 2003 Oscar-nominated film Capturing the Friedmans, returns to Oscar contention with The Alabama Solution. This documentary investigates the state’s prison system, revealing shocking conditions through clandestinely recorded videos made by inmates. It’s a provocative look at systemic issues that many viewers might find uncomfortable but necessary to confront.
Additionally, the film Mr. Nobody Against Putin, recently acquired by Kino Lorber and set for release today in theaters and streaming, features co-director Pavel Talankin. The documentary details his experiences as an events coordinator in a small Russian town, risking everything to oppose the Kremlin’s propaganda in schools amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Talankin’s bravery and personal story have earned the film its first Oscar nominations, highlighting a rare perspective from inside Russia’s complex political landscape.
The awards season also brought recognition to HBO, which scored nominations for The Alabama Solution and the short documentaries The Devil Is Busy and Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud. Meanwhile, Netflix, despite its significant presence, faced some disappointment—earning a nomination only for The Perfect Neighbor while missing out on others like Apocalypse in the Tropics and Cover-Up. However, Netflix did secure a nod in the short documentary category for All the Empty Rooms, directed by Joshua Seftel.
The shortlist for Best Short Documentary includes compelling titles such as Children No More: Were and Are Gone, directed by Hilla Medalia, whose work is produced in partnership with legendary documentarian Sheila Nevins; and Perfectly a Strangeness, directed by Canadian filmmaker Alison McAlpine, which stars a trio of donkeys—an example that even the most unusual stories can find their way into Oscar contention.
And for music lovers and documentary fans alike—two of the five nominees for Best Original Song hail from nonfiction films. Diane Warren's “Dear Me,” written for her documentary Diane Warren: Relentless, continues her streak of Oscar nominations—this being her 17th, yet still without a competitive win. Meanwhile, “Sweet Dreams of Joy,” composed by Nicholas Pike for the film Viva Verdi!, stands out as one of the rare original songs from a documentary to earn this honor.
The 95th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 15 and will be broadcast live on ABC and Hulu. As always, this year's nominations remind us that documentary filmmaking remains a powerful, sometimes controversial, but always vital art form. Will your favorites make the cut? Do you agree with the omissions, or are you cheering for surprises? Drop your thoughts below—after all, these choices often spark lively debates, and that’s what makes the awards season so exciting.
