IDA Documentary Awards Shortlists: ‘You Can See Everything,’ ‘To Hold A Mountain,’ ‘Nuisance Bear’ Make Features Cut, But What Got Snubbed?
The International Documentary Association has published shortlists for its 42nd awards, naming 16 feature films and 12 short documentaries. The selections may shape the films’ Oscar prospects, while notable omissions have also drawn attention.
The feature shortlist includes *You Can See Everything*, *Nuisance Bear*, *The Eyes of Ghana* and *Rehearsals for a Revolution*. *Musk*, *14th*, the Gaza-themed films *American Doctor* and *NAZA*, and the much-honoured *Once Upon a Time in Harlem* were left off. Among the shorts are Laura Poitras and Rachel Lauren Mueller’s *They’re Here* and four New York Times Op-Docs films; Joshua Oppenheimer’s *The Revolution Against Death* was omitted. Five nominees in each top category will be announced on 17 November, ahead of the ceremony on 4 December in Los Angeles.
In short
- The IDA named 16 feature and 12 short documentary finalists.
- Several prominent films missed the feature shortlist.
- Nominations are due on 17 November.
Explained simply
The International Documentary Association is a professional organisation for documentary makers that presents annual awards for non-fiction films. Its awards cover feature-length films and short documentaries, recognising work selected by industry voters.
The awards are one part of a wider film-awards season, when documentaries may also compete for Oscars and other prizes. An IDA shortlist can bring attention to a film, though it does not determine whether it will be nominated for or win an Oscar.
The shortlist names more films than the final award nominations, so some selected titles will not advance. Omissions can also attract notice because they show which films did not make the cut, even when those films have received other recognition.