Members of the Academy Documentary Branch picked five documentary short nominees out of 104 submissions for the 2019 Oscars.
This year’s topics range from “End Game,” Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein’s heartrending look at how families let their terminal loved ones go, Marshall Curry’s Nazi rally “A Night at the Garden,” and feminist sanitary pad movie “Period. End of Sentence.” Ida Awards nominees like the lyrically photographed immigrant crisis film “Lifeboat” and hard-hitting British slice-of-life “Black Sheep” are also contending.
Last year’s winner, Frank Stiefel’s “Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405,” broke out on the festival circuit.
Read More: 2019 Oscar Predictions: 91st Academy Awards
The contenders are ranked in order of their likelihood to win:
“End Game”
“Period. End of Sentence.”
“Black Sheep”
“Lifeboat”
“A Night at the Garden”...
This year’s topics range from “End Game,” Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein’s heartrending look at how families let their terminal loved ones go, Marshall Curry’s Nazi rally “A Night at the Garden,” and feminist sanitary pad movie “Period. End of Sentence.” Ida Awards nominees like the lyrically photographed immigrant crisis film “Lifeboat” and hard-hitting British slice-of-life “Black Sheep” are also contending.
Last year’s winner, Frank Stiefel’s “Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405,” broke out on the festival circuit.
Read More: 2019 Oscar Predictions: 91st Academy Awards
The contenders are ranked in order of their likelihood to win:
“End Game”
“Period. End of Sentence.”
“Black Sheep”
“Lifeboat”
“A Night at the Garden”...
- 2/20/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled its short list of documentary shorts contenders for the upcoming 2019 Oscars, plucking ten films from 104 qualifying films. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. The nominations in all two dozen competitive categories will be announced on January 22.
This year’s batch includes a motley crew of contenders, including Marshall Curry’s unsettling “A Night at the Garden,” the intriguingly titled Sundance debut “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes,” the feminist revolution title “Period. End of Sentence.,” and the sports drama “Zion.”
Last year’s winner, Frank Stiefel’s “Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405,” broke through after earning a nomination for Best Short from the Ida Awards, winning won both audience and jury awards at both the Full Frame Film Festival and the Austin Film Festival. “Zion” recently won Best Short at the Ida Awards,...
This year’s batch includes a motley crew of contenders, including Marshall Curry’s unsettling “A Night at the Garden,” the intriguingly titled Sundance debut “My Dead Dad’s Porno Tapes,” the feminist revolution title “Period. End of Sentence.,” and the sports drama “Zion.”
Last year’s winner, Frank Stiefel’s “Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405,” broke through after earning a nomination for Best Short from the Ida Awards, winning won both audience and jury awards at both the Full Frame Film Festival and the Austin Film Festival. “Zion” recently won Best Short at the Ida Awards,...
- 12/17/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The 2018 Academy Awards took place on March 4 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The 90th annual ceremony was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. The full list of winners is below.
Supporting Actor:
Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Willem Dafoe, “The Florida Project”
Woody Harrelson, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Richard Jenkins, “The Shape of Water”
Christopher Plummer, “All the Money in the World”
Makeup and Hair:
“Darkest Hour,” Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, Lucy Sibbick
“Victoria and Abdul,” Daniel Phillips and Lou Sheppard
“Wonder,” Arjen Tuiten
Costume Design:
“Phantom Thread,” Mark Bridges
“Beauty and the Beast,” Jacqueline Durran
“Darkest Hour,” Jacqueline Durran
“The Shape of Water,” Luis Sequeira
“Victoria and Abdul,” Consolata Boyle
Best Documentary Feature:
“Icarus,” Bryan Fogel, Dan Cogan
“Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” Steve James, Mark Mitten, Julie Goldman
“Faces Places,” Jr, Agnès Varda, Rosalie Varda
“Last Men in Aleppo,” Feras Fayyad, Kareem Abeed, Soren Steen Jepersen
“Strong Island,...
Supporting Actor:
Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Willem Dafoe, “The Florida Project”
Woody Harrelson, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Richard Jenkins, “The Shape of Water”
Christopher Plummer, “All the Money in the World”
Makeup and Hair:
“Darkest Hour,” Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, Lucy Sibbick
“Victoria and Abdul,” Daniel Phillips and Lou Sheppard
“Wonder,” Arjen Tuiten
Costume Design:
“Phantom Thread,” Mark Bridges
“Beauty and the Beast,” Jacqueline Durran
“Darkest Hour,” Jacqueline Durran
“The Shape of Water,” Luis Sequeira
“Victoria and Abdul,” Consolata Boyle
Best Documentary Feature:
“Icarus,” Bryan Fogel, Dan Cogan
“Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” Steve James, Mark Mitten, Julie Goldman
“Faces Places,” Jr, Agnès Varda, Rosalie Varda
“Last Men in Aleppo,” Feras Fayyad, Kareem Abeed, Soren Steen Jepersen
“Strong Island,...
- 3/5/2018
- by William Earl
- Indiewire
MaryAnn’s quick take… My pick: “Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405,” a marvelous portrait of artist Mindy Alper, one that challenges us all to know ourselves as well as she seems to, even when it’s incredibly painful. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Remarkable women who are enduring, pushing for change, and finding themselves are at the heart of the majority of these short documentaries. This is one of the few Oscars categories in which women make good showings behind the camera, too, and that’s true this year as well, with three of the five nominated films the work of female directors.
The deliciously titled “Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405” [IMDb|official site], from filmmaker Frank Stiefel, is, I suspect, about to win the Oscar for its marvelously moving portrait of Los Angeles artist Mindy Alper.
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
Remarkable women who are enduring, pushing for change, and finding themselves are at the heart of the majority of these short documentaries. This is one of the few Oscars categories in which women make good showings behind the camera, too, and that’s true this year as well, with three of the five nominated films the work of female directors.
The deliciously titled “Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405” [IMDb|official site], from filmmaker Frank Stiefel, is, I suspect, about to win the Oscar for its marvelously moving portrait of Los Angeles artist Mindy Alper.
- 3/5/2018
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
The 7,258 voting members had their work cut out for them when casting their ballots for the 90th Oscars. With 24 competitive award categories, the winners will be revealed in what has been one of the tightest Best Picture races in recent memory. There is no clear frontrunner.
33 million Americans watched the 89th Oscars and with audience favorites such as Get Out and Coco in the race, Hollywood is preparing for the biggest night of the year when the eyes of the world tune in to see the 90th Academy Awards. An estimated several hundred million worldwide will watch the nominated actresses, actors and filmmakers walk the red carpet.
Here’s our predix so you can fill out your ballot this Sunday. We’ve even provided you one for you to print out!
Click here:
2018-Oscar-Ballot
Nominations By Category – 90Th Awards
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Timothée Chalamet in...
33 million Americans watched the 89th Oscars and with audience favorites such as Get Out and Coco in the race, Hollywood is preparing for the biggest night of the year when the eyes of the world tune in to see the 90th Academy Awards. An estimated several hundred million worldwide will watch the nominated actresses, actors and filmmakers walk the red carpet.
Here’s our predix so you can fill out your ballot this Sunday. We’ve even provided you one for you to print out!
Click here:
2018-Oscar-Ballot
Nominations By Category – 90Th Awards
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Timothée Chalamet in...
- 3/4/2018
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Even if someone has a score of emotional and psychological problems, there can be hope for a life to be well-lived and fulfilled. This is the central premise of the short documentary, “Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405.” The film is one of five Academy Awards nominees for Best Documentary Short Subject and marks the first bid for director, Frank Stiefel. In addition to this recognition at the Oscars, the film has received both the Audience Awards and the Jury Awards at the Austin Film Festival and Full Frame Documentary Festival.
The film centers on Los Angeles based artist, Mindy Alper. Since her birth in 1963 Mindy has had to overcome immense obstacles. Along with her lifetime struggle with severe depression and anxiety, she also grew up having to deal with an emotionally abusive father and a mother who couldn’t bring herself to even touch her. The one consistent...
The film centers on Los Angeles based artist, Mindy Alper. Since her birth in 1963 Mindy has had to overcome immense obstacles. Along with her lifetime struggle with severe depression and anxiety, she also grew up having to deal with an emotionally abusive father and a mother who couldn’t bring herself to even touch her. The one consistent...
- 2/28/2018
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Three of the most difficult categories to call every year at the Oscars are those of the short films. They lack precursor prizes and, in many cases, visibility. If you are not able to see these films before the Academy Awards on March 4, don’t worry: we’ve got you covered. Below is our take on the five nominees for Best Documentary Short.
A screening committee drawn from documentary branch members winnowed a field of 77 entries down to 10 semi-finalists for the Best Documentary Short Oscar using an averaged scoring system. As with the last two years, this marks an increase from the eight it has been in the past. All members of the branch could take part in the second round which was done by preferential voting. All members of the academy will receive DVDs of the five nominees and can vote for the winner.
See 2018 Oscars: Best Live Action...
A screening committee drawn from documentary branch members winnowed a field of 77 entries down to 10 semi-finalists for the Best Documentary Short Oscar using an averaged scoring system. As with the last two years, this marks an increase from the eight it has been in the past. All members of the branch could take part in the second round which was done by preferential voting. All members of the academy will receive DVDs of the five nominees and can vote for the winner.
See 2018 Oscars: Best Live Action...
- 2/22/2018
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
It’s a close race between “Edith+Eddie” and “Heroin(e),” but the former is slightly more moving and that may be enough. [Posted Feb. 19]
1. “Edith+Eddie,” Laura Checkoway, Thomas Lee Wright
2. “Heroin(e),” Elaine McMillion Sheldon, Kerrin Sheldon
3. “Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405,” Frank Stiefel
4. “Knife Skills,” Thomas Lennon
5. “Traffic Stop,” Kate Davis, David Heilbroner
Current predictions:
Best Picture
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Director
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Original Score
Best Song
Costumes
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Documentary
Foreign Language Film
Animated Feature Film
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Documentary Short
Live Action Short
Animated Short...
1. “Edith+Eddie,” Laura Checkoway, Thomas Lee Wright
2. “Heroin(e),” Elaine McMillion Sheldon, Kerrin Sheldon
3. “Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405,” Frank Stiefel
4. “Knife Skills,” Thomas Lennon
5. “Traffic Stop,” Kate Davis, David Heilbroner
Current predictions:
Best Picture
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Director
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Production Design
Original Score
Best Song
Costumes
Sound Mixing
Sound Editing
Documentary
Foreign Language Film
Animated Feature Film
Makeup and Hairstyling
Visual Effects
Documentary Short
Live Action Short
Animated Short...
- 2/20/2018
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
Ahead of the Academy Awards, we’re reviewing each short category. See the Documentary section below and the other shorts sections here.
Edith+Eddie – USA – 29 minutes
You hear horror stories of people who foster children in order to pocket the money they receive from the state meant for that child’s wellbeing and want to hope they’re the exceptions rather than rule. It’s easy to be cynical, however, and believe the opposite in this world. The same can be said about elder care and the often-tenuous relationships between children of aging parents with increasing struggles. Infighting is common because not every child is as well off as the next or as close. Suddenly a consensus can’t be reached and a third party guardian is appointed as power of attorney. Now that elderly parent who doesn’t know or understand what’s happening must relinquish their control to...
Edith+Eddie – USA – 29 minutes
You hear horror stories of people who foster children in order to pocket the money they receive from the state meant for that child’s wellbeing and want to hope they’re the exceptions rather than rule. It’s easy to be cynical, however, and believe the opposite in this world. The same can be said about elder care and the often-tenuous relationships between children of aging parents with increasing struggles. Infighting is common because not every child is as well off as the next or as close. Suddenly a consensus can’t be reached and a third party guardian is appointed as power of attorney. Now that elderly parent who doesn’t know or understand what’s happening must relinquish their control to...
- 2/7/2018
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
The Oscar-nominated documentary shorts program has always been a chance for the Academy to highlight urgent social issues, and this year is no different. Sticking close to home during a year of political unease, all five of the nominated films hail from the United States, and clearly the country has plenty to examine. Ranging in topic from police brutality to mental illness to the opioid crisis, each nominee uses human stories as an entry point. Clocking in between 30 and 40 minutes, this crop of films offers a deeper dive beneath the headlines — revealing the personal toll a crisis exacts from real people.
Read More:2018 Oscar Nominated Live-Action Shorts Review: Two Frontrunners Emerge in Varied and Political Field
All three groups of Oscar nominated shorts — live-action, animated, and documentary — will be released by ShortsHD in theaters across the country next week, when more adventurous cinephiles can discover the joys of short films.
Read More:2018 Oscar Nominated Live-Action Shorts Review: Two Frontrunners Emerge in Varied and Political Field
All three groups of Oscar nominated shorts — live-action, animated, and documentary — will be released by ShortsHD in theaters across the country next week, when more adventurous cinephiles can discover the joys of short films.
- 2/6/2018
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
One of the categories that gets very little attention at the Academy Awards is Best Documentary Short, usually featuring an impressive selection of international short films that are not always easy to watch. One of the films nominated as a Best Documentary Short from 2017 is one called Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405, directed by Frank Stiefel. If you live in Los Angeles, you know the 405 is one of the worst highways to drive and almost always has traffic. The film examines the life of La-based artist Mindy Alper, who has struggled her entire life with mental disorders and depression, even though she produces remarkably deep, honest work. This short runs 40 minutes, but it's worth a watch to get an inspiring look inside the mind of a tortured artist. You can find out more about Alper on the film's official site after you've watched this. Enjoy. Thanks to Short...
- 2/5/2018
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are set to reveal the nominations for the 90th Academy Awards in all 24 categories this morning. Films such as “The Shape of Water” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” are expected to earn multiple nominations this year following big wins at the Golden Globes and Critic Choice Awards.
Click here to watch the nominations announcement live. Nominations will be updated live below as they are announced.
Best Picture
“Call Me by Your Name”
“Darkest Hour”
“Dunkirk”
“Get Out”
“Lady Bird”
“Phantom Thread”
“The Post”
“The Shape of Water”
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Best Director
Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water
Christopher Nolan, “Dunkirk”
Paul Thomas Anderson, “Phantom Thread”
Greta Gerwig, “Lady Bird”
Jordan Peele, “Get Out”
Best Actor
Timothée Chalamet “Call Me by Your Name”
Daniel Day-Lewis “Phantom Thread”
Daniel Kaluuya “Get Out”
Gary Oldman “Darkest Hour”
Denzel Washington “Roman J.
Click here to watch the nominations announcement live. Nominations will be updated live below as they are announced.
Best Picture
“Call Me by Your Name”
“Darkest Hour”
“Dunkirk”
“Get Out”
“Lady Bird”
“Phantom Thread”
“The Post”
“The Shape of Water”
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Best Director
Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water
Christopher Nolan, “Dunkirk”
Paul Thomas Anderson, “Phantom Thread”
Greta Gerwig, “Lady Bird”
Jordan Peele, “Get Out”
Best Actor
Timothée Chalamet “Call Me by Your Name”
Daniel Day-Lewis “Phantom Thread”
Daniel Kaluuya “Get Out”
Gary Oldman “Darkest Hour”
Denzel Washington “Roman J.
- 1/23/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The International Documentary Association has announced their Best Feature and Best Short nominees, as well as the recipients of Creative Recognition awards, for the 2017 Ida Documentary Awards. In the competition categories, the nominees for Best Feature include “City of Ghosts,” “Dina,” “Faces Places,””La 92,” and “Strong Island,” while the Best Short section includes nods for “Edith+Eddie,” “The Fight,” “Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405,” “Long Shot,” “Mr. Connolly Has Als,” and “The Rabbit Hunt.”
“The diverse array of films nominated this year underscore the vibrancy and elasticity of documentary form,” said Simon Kilmurry, Ida’s Executive Director in an official statement. “These films address the most urgent contemporary global matters — and the most intimate emotional territory. All of them demonstrate the courage and ingenuity of nonfiction media makers.”
Read More:2017 Ida Documentary Awards Nominees Announced, Including ‘Icarus,’ ‘The Keepers,’ and ‘The Vietnam War’
The winners for...
“The diverse array of films nominated this year underscore the vibrancy and elasticity of documentary form,” said Simon Kilmurry, Ida’s Executive Director in an official statement. “These films address the most urgent contemporary global matters — and the most intimate emotional territory. All of them demonstrate the courage and ingenuity of nonfiction media makers.”
Read More:2017 Ida Documentary Awards Nominees Announced, Including ‘Icarus,’ ‘The Keepers,’ and ‘The Vietnam War’
The winners for...
- 11/1/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Earlier this year, Frank Stiefel’s unique documentary short “Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405” pulled off a unique two-fer: winning both the Audience Award and the Jury Award for Best Short at the annual non-fiction-focused festival. The film follows artist Mindy Alper, who has spent her life creating remarkable works of art, despite a lifelong struggle with depression and anxiety, a story that is warmly and expressively told through Stiefel’s compelling lens.
In announcing its 2017 Jury Award for Best Short Film, the Full Frame jurors explained so much of the film’s profound charm: “We are presenting the award to this film for its incredibly intimate access to a remarkable subject and for its ability to allow the viewer to profoundly enter her world. Complimenting this access with assured storytelling and great visual style, the film introduces us to the gifted artist Mindy Alper and her lifelong struggle with mental illness.
In announcing its 2017 Jury Award for Best Short Film, the Full Frame jurors explained so much of the film’s profound charm: “We are presenting the award to this film for its incredibly intimate access to a remarkable subject and for its ability to allow the viewer to profoundly enter her world. Complimenting this access with assured storytelling and great visual style, the film introduces us to the gifted artist Mindy Alper and her lifelong struggle with mental illness.
- 8/30/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Keep up with the always-hopping film festival world with our weekly Film Festival Roundup column. Check out last week’s Roundup right here.
Openers, Closers and Other Additions
– The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced the films that will play in the Special Screenings section of AFI Fest 2016 presented by Audi, which includes three World Premieres and four additional highly anticipated films.
The World Premiere of the CG-animated film “Moana” will play in the Special Screenings section, along with “Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds” and “Toni Erdmann.” Also bowing as Special Screenings will be the World Premieres of “Miss Sloane” and, as previously announced, “The Comedian.”
AFI Fest has also added Pablo Larrain’s lauded “Jackie,” starring Natalie Portman, as a Centerpiece Gala.
– The Edinburgh International Film Festival has announced that “American Pastoral,” the directorial debut of Perthshire-born Ewan McGregor will have a special Edinburgh International Film Festival Gala at the Filmhouse,...
Openers, Closers and Other Additions
– The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced the films that will play in the Special Screenings section of AFI Fest 2016 presented by Audi, which includes three World Premieres and four additional highly anticipated films.
The World Premiere of the CG-animated film “Moana” will play in the Special Screenings section, along with “Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds” and “Toni Erdmann.” Also bowing as Special Screenings will be the World Premieres of “Miss Sloane” and, as previously announced, “The Comedian.”
AFI Fest has also added Pablo Larrain’s lauded “Jackie,” starring Natalie Portman, as a Centerpiece Gala.
– The Edinburgh International Film Festival has announced that “American Pastoral,” the directorial debut of Perthshire-born Ewan McGregor will have a special Edinburgh International Film Festival Gala at the Filmhouse,...
- 10/27/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Ingelore
Directed by Frank Stiefel
2009, USA, 40 mins.
Red Shirley
Directed by Lou Reed
2010, USA, 28 mins.
These are the sorts of films that future historians will thank us for. Ingelore and Red Shirley are cut from the same cloth; hence the joint review. Both are documentaries about Jewish women (Ingelore and Shirley, of course) telling us their life stories. Both are made by relatives. And both pack extraordinary lives into deceptively short runtimes.
Escaping War Stories
Red Shirley takes the form of an interview – interspersed with family photographs – between director Lou Reed and his cousin, Shirley, on the occasion of her one-hundredth birthday. Their relation adds a sense of familiarity to the proceedings that extends to the audience. Reed knows how parts of these stories go, and his prodding and pleading with Shirley adds something special to the typical documentary interview. Shirley’s story is, of course, incredible: she tells us of fleeing Poland,...
Directed by Frank Stiefel
2009, USA, 40 mins.
Red Shirley
Directed by Lou Reed
2010, USA, 28 mins.
These are the sorts of films that future historians will thank us for. Ingelore and Red Shirley are cut from the same cloth; hence the joint review. Both are documentaries about Jewish women (Ingelore and Shirley, of course) telling us their life stories. Both are made by relatives. And both pack extraordinary lives into deceptively short runtimes.
Escaping War Stories
Red Shirley takes the form of an interview – interspersed with family photographs – between director Lou Reed and his cousin, Shirley, on the occasion of her one-hundredth birthday. Their relation adds a sense of familiarity to the proceedings that extends to the audience. Reed knows how parts of these stories go, and his prodding and pleading with Shirley adds something special to the typical documentary interview. Shirley’s story is, of course, incredible: she tells us of fleeing Poland,...
- 5/9/2011
- by Dave Robson
- SoundOnSight
It is hard to think of many more luckless or traumatic fates than being a Jewish child in Nazi Germany. But imagine if you were also deaf. In the documentary Ingelore, first time director Frank Stiefel relates the story of his mother, Ingelore Herz Honigstein, who was born without the ability to hear to Jewish parents in Kuppenheim, Germany, in 1924. The film is narrated by Ingelore herself, who heartbreakingly describes how she struggled to overcome her disability, how she was raped by two German soldiers, and how she finally escaped to America — a climactic chapter that would be rejected by...
- 5/6/2011
- by Clark Collis
- EW - Inside TV
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