For nearly 20 years, securing a nomination for an Academy Award in the documentary feature category has typically required a stellar film, talented creators, and a substantial awards-season campaign budget. Previously, a large financial backing could make a critical difference in getting noticed by the Academy. However, last year’s Oscars demonstrated a potential shift in priorities that could influence the documentary field going forward, particularly when it comes to politically-charged topics.
At the 96th Academy Awards in March 2024, the feature documentary nominees all tackled major international or geopolitical issues. Notably, many of these films did not have major distribution or high-powered awards campaigns. One standout, Nisha Pahuja’s “To Kill a Tiger,” only found distribution when Netflix picked it up a month before the ceremony. Ultimately, PBS’s Ukraine war documentary “20 Days in Mariupol” won the Oscar, reinforcing the Academy’s interest in socially relevant and globally impactful topics. But despite this momentum, streaming giants seem hesitant to throw their weight behind politically driven documentaries, instead focusing on projects with broader, often celebrity-centered appeal.
This year, several high-profile documentaries spotlighting iconic celebrities, like Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui’s “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” and R.J. Cutler’s Elton John film “Never Too Late,” are vying for Academy recognition. Netflix, Disney+, Warner Bros., and Amazon are promoting films centered on beloved figures such as Reeve, John, and Celine Dion, betting that these emotionally resonant stories will resonate with Academy voters. Amazon, for example, is actively campaigning for Irene Taylor’s “I Am Celine Dion,” hoping that Dion’s universal appeal will draw attention.
Yet, a range of critically acclaimed political documentaries are also aiming for nominations but are grappling with limited distribution support. Films like Brett Story and Stephen Maing’s “Union” and Hasan Oswald’s “Mediha” focus on significant social and political themes, but without the backing of major platforms, they face challenges reaching a wider audience. Despite critical acclaim and top festival prizes, their lack of high-profile distribution could hamper their Oscar chances.
Even with streamers’ pullback from politically charged content, the pursuit of Academy votes remains costly. Some platforms continue to invest in screenings, publicity events, and advertising campaigns, hoping to sway voters. Influential nonprofit organizations and film festivals, like DOC NYC and the IDA, still promote films through e-blasts and billboards targeting key voting demographics, particularly in Los Angeles.
Interestingly, the documentary field remains divided. Streaming platforms’ recent retreat from socially complex films has raised concerns in the nonfiction community about the widening gap between independent films with political themes and those focused on widely recognized celebrities. With streamers largely sidelining social issue documentaries in favor of projects with mass appeal, filmmakers tackling more challenging subjects are often forced to fundraise or navigate distribution on their own. This trend is viewed by many as a response to the past years’ backlash against big-budget campaign spending.
Ultimately, a star-studded film on a celebrity’s life, like “I Am Celine Dion” or “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story,” may find itself on the ballot this year, potentially marking a return to more commercially driven themes. However, this shift could reshape the Oscar landscape in a way that allows lesser-known, issue-driven documentaries to gain traction without massive campaign budgets. Whether celebrity-centered or politically focused, the documentary race is shaping up to be an unpredictable mix, and Academy voters may increasingly weigh social relevance against popular appeal.
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