There were few surprises among the shortlisted films announced for the 2022 Documentary Film Oscar but, as always there was at least one. While “Summer of Soul,” “The Rescue” and “Flee” (also earning an International Film shortlist mention) were expected, “Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry” was definitely not. It was one of two Apple TV+ shortlisted docs this year alongside Todd Haynes’ “The Velvet Underground.”
READ MORE: “Summer of Soul” and “Flee’ lead 2021 IDA Awards nominations
One of the most competitive categories (and often head-scratching) of them all, it’s no surprise there were a number of high-profile snubs from this shortlist including Edgar Wright’s “The Sparks Brothers,” Liz Garbus’ “Being Cousteau,” “Wojnarowicz: F**K You F*ggot F**ker,” and “North By Current” and “Jacinta.”
Additionally, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced shortlist selections for the Documentary Short, Live Action Short, and Animated Short Film categories. Their respective branches, and the Short Film branch, will now vote to trim those contenders down to five nominations each. Those nominees will be announced on Tuesday, February 8.
Here are the films still in the race for the Documentary Film Academy Award:
“Ascension”
“Attica”
“Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry”
“Faya Dayi”
“The First Wave”
“Flee”
“In the Same Breath”
“Julia”
“President”
“Procession”
“The Rescue”
“Simple as Water”
“Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)”
“The Velvet Underground”
“Writing with Fire”
Here are the films in contention for the Documentary Short Oscar:
“Águilas”
“Audible”
“A Broken House”
“Camp Confidential: America’s Secret Nazis”
“Coded: The Hidden Love of J. C. Leyendecker”
“Day of Rage”
“The Facility”
“Lead Me Home”
“Lynching Postcards: “Token of a Great Day””
“The Queen of Basketball”
“Sophie & the Baron”
“Takeover”
“Terror Contagion”
“Three Songs for Benazir”
“When We Were Bullies”
Here are the films in the mix still for the Live Action Short Oscar:
“Ala Kachuu – Take and Run”
“Censor of Dreams”
“The Criminals”
“Distances”
“The Dress”
“Frimas”
“Les Grandes Claques”
“The Long Goodbye”
“On My Mind”
“Please Hold”
“Stenofonen”
“Tala’vision”
“Under the Heavens”
“When the Sun Sets”
“You’re Dead Helen”
Here are the films still in the race for the Animated Short Academy Award:
“Affairs of the Art”
“Angakusajaujuq: The Shaman’s Apprentice”
“Bad Seeds”
“Bestia”
“Boxballet”
“Flowing Home”
“Mum Is Pouring Rain”
“The Musician”
“Namoo”
“Only a Child”
“Robin Robin”
“Souvenir Souvenir”
“Step into the River”
“Us Again”
“The Windshield Wiper”
The 2022 Academy Awards nominees will be announced on Tuesday, February 8.