The first Oscar telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT. Nominations voting will be from January 12 to January 17, 2023, with official Oscar nominations announced on January 24, 2023. The final voting will be March 2 through 7, 2023.
Although the shortlist has just arrived, it is much easier to keep track of what the nominees are this year for Best Documentary Short than one would expect. MTV Documentary Films is the latest company to really dominate the category, which produced three films that were nominated for this category. Chalk that up to the appointment of Sheila Nevins, the new head of MTV Documentary Films who spent many years at HBO.
Tanaz Eshaghian's "As Far as They Can Run" is the greatest prospect from the Paramount Global brand, a heartbreaking documentary about three disabled young adults who are being recruited to Pakistan's Special Olympics training program. "The Flagmakers," a Disney+ film co-directed by Sharon Liese and 2008 Best Documentary Short Oscar winner Cynthia Wade is another example of an Academy Award veteran reentering a familiar race.
"38 at the Garden," a documentary about "Linsanity" directed by recent Best Live Action Short Oscar winner Travon Free, is the last film to garner substantial star power from within the Short Film community. At least in terms of getting a nomination, the fact that the 2022 Academy Award winner for this category was "The Queen of Basketball."
Choosing a short film winner, which are often overlooked by casual Oscar viewers, is not just about pinning down the most well-known names behind it. There is also a lot of outstanding technical filmmaking to be applauded, as well as some interesting perspectives on global warming.
Other platforms like Netflix, PBS, and the New York Times have more to offer, especially since people outside the Academy begin paying attention to the Best Documentary Short race.
Contenders are listed below in alphabetical order. Only films we have seen may be considered frontrunners.
Frontrunners "As Far as They Can Run" "The Flagmakers" "Haulout" "Nuisance Bear" "38 at the Garden"
Contenders "American Justice on Trial: People v. Newton" "Angola Do You Hear Us? Voices from a Plantation Prison" "Happiness Is £4 Million" "Holding Moses" "How Do You Measure a Year?" "The Martha Mitchell Effect" "Shut Up and Paint" "Stranger at the Gate"