Oscar Documentary Short List 2011: Top Directors Miss Out (VIDEO)

LOS ANGELES — Acclaimed documentaries from Werner Herzog, Errol Morris, Morgan Spurlock and Steve James have missed out on a shot at the Academy Awards.

Herzog's "Into the Abyss," Morris' "Tabloid," Spurlock's "The Greatest Movie Ever Sold" and James' "The Interrupters" did not make the short list of 15 documentaries eligible for the feature-length prize at the Feb. 26 Oscars.

Among the films that made the list, released Friday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, are: Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky's "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory"; Wim Wenders' "Pina"; the Harry Belafonte profile "Sing Your Song"; and "Project Nim," directed by Oscar winner James Marsh ("Man on Wire").

Oscar nominations come out Jan. 24.

Peek the trailers of some of the shortlisted docs below.

Comments

[stew66]

02:55 PM on 12/11/2011

Paradise Lost 3 saved an innocent young man from execution (and two others from life in prison)--it easily deserves a nom and the win.

[DiaaK]

02:03 AM on 11/22/2011

I am SHOCKED that 'Forks Over Knives' did not make the short list!

How could they fail to recognize a film that is saving people's lives in a matter of weeks and has the potential to turn this nation's healthcare crisis around COMPLETELY?

Maybe the Academy has been intimidated by the strong-armed tactics of the meat and dairy industries or - more likely - they've got some financial interest in pharmaceuticals.

To quote the 'occupiers'..."Shame on You!"

Despite the Academy, this groundbreaking film will continue to spread like wildfire!

And the Academy will continue to be remembered for missing IMPORTANT films like 'Hoop Dreams', '12 Angry Men', 'Citizen Kane', 'It's a Wonderful Life' and the 'Star Wars Trilogy'

Boooo...!

(see for yourself: www.forksoverknives.com)

[mandalay007]

08:12 PM on 11/20/2011

Hollyrude doesn't jeopardize itself, really, in spite of pseudo-leftie pretensions----------Hollyrude is merely made up of more corporations----

[alsm9]

04:49 PM on 11/20/2011

I've seen Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory and it's fantastic, so I'm rooting for it to get a nomination. And Pina looks really good! I'm going to keep my eye out for it.