Bite Size Oscar History: Documentary Feature Films and the Oscars
Documentaries can point to societal ills or looming political upheaval. Depending on how well they’re made, they can move the socio-political needle on an issue and create change.
Documentaries can point to societal ills or looming political upheaval. Depending on how well they're made, they can move the socio-political needle on an issue and create change.
Feature length documentaries weren't recognized at the Oscars until 1941. Kukan: The Battle Cry of China and Target for Tonight both took home golden statuettes for the Special Awards category.
This year the Oscars has had quite a bit of controversy surrounding some of its nominees for various categories. Back in 2014, Best Documentary Feature Film winner Citizenfour caused a stir because it was about NSA whistleblower, now U.S.-Russian citizen, Edward Snowden. This year's Best Documentary Feature Film nominees don't have as much controversy surrounding them but they are just as relevant and thought-provoking.
The films up for Best Documentary Feature Film include Black Box Diaries, No Other Land, Porcelain War, Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat and Sugarcane.
Tune into the Oscars on March 2, 2025 to see who takes home the golden statue.
Sonya Alexander started off her career training to be a talent agent. She eventually realized she was meant to be on the creative end and has been writing ever since. As a freelance writer she’s written screenplays, covered film, television, music and video games and done academic writing. She’s also been a script reader for over twenty years. She's a member of the African American Film Critics Association and currently resides in Los Angeles.
