In recent years, films that are both impactful and timely have captured the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land last year; 20 Days in Mariupol the previous year, and Navalny in 2023.
As we approach the next Academy Awards, will another film focusing on urgent political or war-related themes clinch the award? Or could it be a film that marries social significance with a musical vibe, similar to the 2022 winner Summer of Soul? It might seem premature to speculate about Oscar hopefuls – but according to John Ridley and Matt Carey, hosts of Deadline’s Doc Talk podcast, it’s a perfect time to start the conversation. In today’s episode, we delve into topics that others might hesitate to address, joined by journalist and film critic Lauren Wissot, a contributing editor at Filmmaker magazine and Documentary magazine.
Two former Oscar winners have already surfaced as early frontrunners: Mstyslav Chernov, director of 20 Days in Mariupol, who is back with 2000 Meters to Andriivka, and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, who follows his Summer of Soul with Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius). Christo Grosev, celebrated for his role in Navalny, is also in the spotlight as the subject of Antidote, a documentary directed by James Jones and recently acquired by Frontline.
Brittany Shine’s documentary Seeds, though still seeking distribution, has garnered multiple awards already. The Perfect Neighbor, a film by Geeta Gandbhir and picked up by Netflix, is expected to be a strong contender. Ridley and Wissot also see potential for success in Life After, the second feature by filmmaker Reid Davenport.
An unexpected success story revolves around a widely admired artist who experienced a dramatic fall from popularity. Equally intriguing is a fresh perspective on the dynamics of Israeli-Palestinian relations and a film about an unknown individual challenging one of the globe’s most influential leaders. Additionally, we explore the prospects for a film set in China that involves hiring someone to end an affair, and a documentary that portrays right-wing religious extremists as a growing political threat.
We also share our personal picks for films we eagerly anticipate seeing in the Oscar race, including one focusing on a famed filmmaker with a controversial Nazi affiliation.
Catch all this on the latest episode of Doc Talk, hosted by Academy Award winner John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Shirley) and Matt Carey, Deadline’s documentary editor. The podcast is produced by Deadline and Ridley’s Nō Studios.
Tune into the episode above or through major podcast platforms including Spotify, iHeart, and Apple.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
His sharp analysis and investigative reports make complex financial topics accessible to all readers.
