15 films shortlisted for Oscar Best Documentary

Battle is on for 2024 award

by Jennie Kermode

Oscar nominee Bobi Wine: The People’s President
Oscar nominee Bobi Wine: The People’s President

Contenders in the Best Documentary category for the 2024 Oscars were announced today, with a diverse range of themes including US history, international politics, romance in the face of Alzheimer's disease, and the art of creating film audio. The 15 films were whittled down from a list of 167 qualifying films. Only a third of them will go on to receive actual Oscar nominations, and we'll find out which on 23 January.

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Movies out this week include:

A.I. Highlander Kokuho Romería Top Gun Top Gun: Maverick
News

Going off-plan Ben Wheatley on early inspirations, developing his craft and making Normal

The accidental revolutionary Dimitri Planchon and Jean-Paul Guigue discuss artistic evolution and Blaise

Embracing complexity Nigel Santos on the messiness of real life romance, and Open Endings

Alone together Park Joon-ho on loneliness, North Korean experience, gay life and 3670

The destroyer of worlds Daniel Everitt-Lock on experiences of atomic testing and Our Planet, The People, My Blood

Taking the temperature Jacqueline Zünd on exploring the climate crisis through companion films Heat and Don't Let The Sun

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