Best Documentary Feature:

An international film has a strong chance of walking away with the statuette for Best Documentary Feature this year with four of five nominees being overseas productions. The Edge of Democracy focuses on the truth behind two Brazilain presidencies, and Feras Fayyad receives his second nomination for The Cave, a documentary that focuses on the struggles female doctors face of sexism amidst war-torn Syria. The other two international films are feature debuts by the directors. Like The Cave, Waad Al-Kateab and Edward Watts For Sama looks at female lives affected by war. Ljubo Stefanov and Tamara Kotevska‘s Honeyland tells the story of a beekeeper in a remote village in North Macedonia. The only American documentary, American Factory, looks at the struggles a Chinese billionaire has running a business in post-industrial Ohio. All five documentaries have strong stories that will resonate with the Academy so any film could be victorious.

Prediction: American Factory

Best Documentary Short Subject:

A number of this year’s nominees for Best Documentary Short Subject explore tragedy and personal loss yet two of the films convey perseverance through the toils that life may disburse upon us. Documentaries showcase what in our world is deemed worthy to be recorded and shared and for Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl) and Walk Run Cha-Cha, the seemingly simple acts of skateboarding and dancing become miracles in the context that the activities are experienced. Comprising the remaining nominees, St. Louis Superman explores the struggles and accomplishments of activist Bruce Franks Jr while In the Absence and Life Overtakes Me center on youth, the former telling the story of the 2014 sinking of the MV Sewol passenger ferry (the loss of 300 lives, mostly school children) and the latter exploring ‘Resignation Syndrome’- a coma-like withdrawal often experienced by refugee children uncertain about their future.

Prediction: Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)

Best Live Action Short Film:

This category features a wide variety of films ranging from comedy to drama to thriller. Two of the films- Brotherhood and Saria– relate to social justice, the former addressing prejudices while the latter addresses the harsh living conditions of orphans and institutionalism. On the comedic side, Nefta Football Club features a somewhat bizarre plot involving a donkey with bags of white powder on its back that two young men decide to take back to their village. On the drama side of things, The Neighbors’ Window portrays a mother whose life is turned upside down after two free spirits move across the street from her while A Sister features a woman in danger who must make a phone call to ensure her protection throughout the night.

Prediction: Brotherhood