It’s been a rather topsy-turvy season in the hunt for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie swept the Critics Choice Documentary Awards, dominated the wins from the critics groups, and scored nods from BAFTA, Critics Choice, and Cinema Eye Honors, but couldn’t land an Oscar nod.
American Symphony landed nominations from BAFTA and Critics Choice plus a surprising win at PGA last weekend. Alas, it was also absent from the Academy’s final five. Cinema Eye Honors winner 32 Sounds? Not on the list Oscar nominations list either. BAFTA, CCA, and PGA nominee Beyond Utopia? Nope.
The only contender to sail through the season almost untouched was 20 Days in Mariupol, which scored nominations at Critics Choice, PGA, CEH, and a key win at the BAFTAs. As the only Oscar nominee represented in the BAFTA nominations, that particular victory really propelled the Ukrainian documentary to the front of the pack where it remains relatively unchallenged. You could attempt to argue a case of an unlikely victory for any of the other four nominees, but, to be frank, they don’t stand a chance.
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE PREDICTIONS:
1. 20 Days in Mariupol (PBS) – BAFTA, CCA, CEH, PGA
2. Four Daughters (Jour2Fête) – CEH
3. The Eternal Memory (MTV Documentary Films) – CCA, CEH
4. Bobi Wine: The People’s President (National Geographic) – IDA
5. To Kill a Tiger (National Board of Canada)
Will win: 20 Days in Mariupol
Should win: Four Daughters
Possible shocker: The Eternal Memory