82nd Oscars "Best Doc Feature" Short List

Last week The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released their short list of 15 films that will be considered for the “Best Documentary Feature” award at next year’s renowned ceremony. Eighty nine films had originally qualified for consideration.

The next phase will take place during the early morning (5:30 a.m., PST) of February 2, 2010, when 5 of the following 15 films will be graced with nominations:

• “The Beaches of Agnes,” Agnès Varda, director (Cine-Tamaris)
• “Burma VJ,” Anders Østergaard, director (Magic Hour Films)
• “The Cove,” Louie Psihoyos, director (Oceanic Preservation Society)
• “Every Little Step,” James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo, directors (Endgame Entertainment)
• “Facing Ali,” Pete McCormack, director (Network Films Inc.)
• “Food, Inc.,” Robert Kenner, director (Robert Kenner Films)
• “Garbage Dreams,” Mai Iskander, director (Iskander Films, Inc.)
• “Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders,” Mark N. Hopkins, director (Red Floor Pictures LLC)
• “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers,” Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith, directors (Kovno Communications)
• “Mugabe and the White African,” Andrew Thompson and Lucy Bailey, directors (Arturi Films Limited)
• “Sergio,” Greg Barker, director (Passion Pictures and Silverbridge Productions)
• “Soundtrack for a Revolution,” Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman, directors (Freedom Song Productions)
• “Under Our Skin,” Andy Abrahams Wilson, director (Open Eye Pictures)
• “Valentino The Last Emperor,” Matt Tyrnauer, director (Acolyte Films)
• “Which Way Home,” Rebecca Cammisa, director (Mr. Mudd)

Louie Psihoyos’ The Cove is an early front runner, having already won a handful of awards including the audience award for best documentary at Sundance and the audience award for best feature at the Nantucket Film Festival. The activist film has been praised for its resounding message.

One glaring omission is that of Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story, the summer blockbuster of documentaries that grossed over $14 million. The Documentary Branch Screening Committee may have felt that, despite the topical relevance, Moore’s voice is tired and his structure lacked innovation.

The 82nd Academy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 7, 2010.