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Oscar Shortlist Reveals Netflix Dominance and Stark Geopolitical Themes

From a child's tragic final moments in Gaza to Putin's dissenters, this year's Oscar documentary shortlist blends raw storytelling with bold political statements. Who got left behind?

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2 min read
The image shows a man in a tuxedo standing and smiling while holding a BAFTA award in his hands. In...
The image shows a man in a tuxedo standing and smiling while holding a BAFTA award in his hands. In the background, there is a board with the words "BAFTA Awards 2018" written on it, indicating that the man is the winner of the award.

Oscar Shortlist Reveals Netflix Dominance and Stark Geopolitical Themes

The Oscar shortlist for Best Documentary Feature has been announced, with 15 films in contention. Netflix secured three spots, while films on Israel-Gaza conflicts and Russian politics also made the cut. However, several high-profile documentaries—including some with awards buzz—were left out. Netflix dominated the shortlist with three entries: The Perfect Neighbor, Cover-Up, and Apocalypse in the Tropics. Director Geeta Gandbhir had two films recognised—The Perfect Neighbor and The Devil Is Busy—while All the Empty Rooms appeared in the short documentary category.

Two documentaries focused on Russia were included: *Mr. Nobody Against Putin* and *My Undesirable Friends: Part I - Last Air in Moscow*. Meanwhile, two films tied to Israel and Gaza—*Holding Liat* and *Coexistence My Ass!*—also made the list. Among them, *The Voice of Hind Rajab* by Kaouther Ben Hania stands out for its harrowing account of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza City on January 29, 2024. The film uses emergency call recordings to document her final moments, surrounded by her family's bodies, as Israeli forces approached and rescuers were fatally shot. Despite their acclaim, several notable films were omitted. *Orwell: 2+2=5* by Raoul Peck, *My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay* (a PGA Awards nominee), and Tamara Kotevka's *The Tale of Silyan* failed to secure a spot. Celebrity-focused documentaries about Liza Minnelli, Eddie Murphy, and Jeff Buckley were also overlooked. In addition to the feature category, four songs from documentaries advanced to the Best Original Song shortlist.

The final Oscar nominations will be announced on January 23, 2025. The shortlist reflects a mix of geopolitical themes, streaming dominance, and unexpected snubs. Only one film, The Voice of Hind Rajab, directly addresses the Israel-Gaza conflict from a pro-Palestinian perspective.

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