The Academy Has Revealed the Shortlist for the 2026 Best Documentary Feature Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the shortlist for the Documentary Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards. From a pool of 201 eligible films, the Documentary Branch has selected fifteen titles to advance to the next round of voting. This year’s selection highlights a diverse range of global stories, from intimate character studies to urgent political exposés covering conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Americas. The nominees will be determined by further voting, with the final winners announced at the ceremony in 2026.

‘The Alabama Solution’ (2025)

This searing political documentary examines the fallout from the Alabama Supreme Court’s controversial ruling on IVF and fetal personhood. The filmmakers embed themselves with patients, providers, and legislators as they navigate the collision of religious ideology and reproductive medicine. Through exclusive interviews and fly-on-the-wall footage, the film exposes the human cost of the state’s legal experiments. ‘The Alabama Solution’ challenges viewers to confront the rapidly shifting landscape of bodily autonomy in the American South.

‘Apocalypse in the Tropics’ (2024)

Director Petra Costa returns with an investigation into the powerful influence of the evangelical movement on Brazilian politics. The film traces the symbiotic relationship between religious leaders and the far-right administration of Jair Bolsonaro, revealing how faith became a political weapon. Costa gains unprecedented access to key figures, documenting the erosion of secular democracy in the pursuit of a theocratic agenda. The documentary serves as a warning about the fragility of democratic institutions when faced with apocalyptic fervor.

‘Coexistence, My Ass!’ (2025)

Filmed in the volatile West Bank, this documentary offers a raw and unfiltered look at the crumbling illusion of coexistence between settlers and Palestinians. The director captures the absurdity and tragedy of daily interactions in a segregated landscape, moving beyond standard news headlines. The title reflects the frustration of residents who feel abandoned by political rhetoric that contradicts their lived reality. It is a gritty, on-the-ground portrait of a region at a breaking point.

‘Come See Me in the Good Light’ (2025)

This intimate character study focuses on an aging artist attempting to curate their final legacy while battling memory loss. The filmmakers use a unique visual style to mirror the protagonist’s fading perception, blending archival footage with present-day observation. As the subject struggles to control how they will be remembered, the film asks profound questions about identity, vanity, and the permanence of art. It is a poignant meditation on the universal desire to be seen and understood before disappearing.

‘Cover-Up’ (2025)

Investigating a massive environmental scandal, ‘Cover-Up’ exposes the systematic suppression of toxic waste data by a major industrial conglomerate. The documentary follows a team of whistleblowers and journalists who risk their careers and safety to bring the truth to light. Through leaked documents and tense confrontations, the film unravels a conspiracy that extends into high levels of government. It is a classic procedural thriller that highlights the importance of investigative journalism in holding power to account.

‘Cutting through Rocks’ (2025)

Set against the backdrop of a remote mountain community, this film chronicles the perilous labor of tunnel workers attempting to connect a village to the outside world. The narrative focuses on the physical and psychological toll of the work, as well as the workers’ dreams of a better life beyond the stone. The camera captures the claustrophobic conditions and the sheer scale of the geological obstacles they face. ‘Cutting through Rocks’ is a visceral tribute to human resilience and the drive to overcome isolation.

‘Folktales’ (2025)

This visually stunning documentary explores the dying art of oral storytelling in indigenous communities across the globe. The director travels to remote regions to record elders sharing myths and legends that have been passed down for generations. By animating these stories with distinct artistic styles, the film preserves cultural heritage that is at risk of vanishing in the digital age. ‘Folktales’ argues that these ancient narratives hold vital wisdom for navigating the modern world’s ecological and social crises.

‘Holding Liat’ (2025)

Focusing on the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, this film follows the harrowing journey of Liat, a hostage released from captivity in Gaza. The documentary provides intimate access to her reintegration into society and her tireless advocacy for those still held in the tunnels. It explores the psychological weight of survival and the complex bond formed between the families of the hostages. ‘Holding Liat’ is a deeply personal account of trauma, resilience, and the relentless fight for freedom.

‘Mistress Dispeller’ (2024)

Director Elizabeth Lo turns her lens on the burgeoning “mistress dispelling” industry in China, where wealthy couples hire professional fixers to break up extramarital affairs. The film follows a charismatic dispeller as she employs surveillance, manipulation, and psychological tactics to save marriages. Lo captures the complexities of love, class, and social status in modern Chinese society without judgment. The documentary offers a fascinating, often humorous, yet unsettling look at how intimacy is monetized and managed.

‘Mr. Nobody against Putin’ (2025)

This film tells the story of an ordinary Russian citizen who transforms into a symbol of resistance against the Kremlin’s authoritarian regime. Known only by his pseudonym, the subject uses guerrilla art and digital sabotage to challenge the state’s propaganda machine. The filmmakers track his dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with the authorities, highlighting the risks of dissent in a surveillance state. ‘Mr. Nobody against Putin’ celebrates the power of individual courage in the face of overwhelming oppression.

‘My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow’ (2025)

The first in a two-part series, this documentary chronicles the exodus of independent journalists and activists from Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. The director, also in exile, turns the camera on their circle of friends as they navigate the heartbreaking decision to leave their homeland. It captures the chaotic final days in Moscow, filled with fear, packed suitcases, and tearful goodbyes. The film is a melancholic love letter to a lost Russia and a testament to the displacement of a generation.

‘The Perfect Neighbor’ (2025)

When a beloved community figure is accused of a heinous crime, a quiet suburban town descends into paranoia and suspicion. This true-crime documentary deconstructs the facade of the “perfect neighbor,” revealing the secrets hidden behind manicured lawns and closed doors. Through interviews with stunned residents and investigators, the film explores how quickly trust can erode and how little we truly know about the people living next door. It is a chilling examination of the darkness that can lurk in the most ordinary places.

‘Seeds’ (2024)

Directed by curious filmmakers, this documentary follows four Black farmers in the American South as they fight to preserve their land and agricultural heritage. The film examines the historical discrimination they have faced from government agencies and the modern challenges of corporate farming. By focusing on their deep connection to the soil, ‘Seeds’ highlights the importance of food sovereignty and generational wealth. It is an inspiring story of resilience and the reclamation of identity through the land.

‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’ (2025)

Embedded with a Ukrainian assault brigade, this visceral war documentary captures the brutal reality of the fight to retake the village of Andriivka. The title refers to the deadly distance the soldiers must cross under constant artillery fire to reach their objective. The film eschews broad political analysis for the immediate, terrifying experience of infantry combat. ‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’ is an unflinching record of the cost of every inch of liberated territory.

‘Yanuni’ (2025)

This observational documentary immerses viewers in the life of Yanun, a small Palestinian village in the West Bank surrounded by expanding settlements. The film focuses on the daily struggle of the villagers to maintain their land and way of life amidst constant pressure and harassment. Through the eyes of the community elders and children, it paints a portrait of steadfast endurance known as ‘sumud’. ‘Yanuni’ gives voice to a marginalized community fighting to remain on their ancestral map.

Share your thoughts on which of these documentaries you are most excited to see in the comments.