Fifteen documentary films shortlisted for Oscar nominations

Fifteen documentary films shortlisted for Oscar nominations

Out of 89 documentary films eligible for Oscar consideration this year, fifteen documentaries were selected for a short list of potential nominees. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced this on Wednesday.

Surprisingly some of the year's most popular documentary features were overlooked, including Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story." The R-rated film was praised by the critics and also earned over 14 million dollars at the box office.

The well-reviewed Mike Tyson documentary "Tyson," the rock-doc "It Might Get Loud," and the story of Vogue magazine and its editor-in-chief, "The September Issue," also omitted from Oscar consideration.

The short list of films is determined by a committee of members of the academy's documentary branch. They watch all qualified contenders and vote for their favorites through secret ballot. The top vote-getters make the short list of potential nominees.

The selections this year are Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders", "The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers", "Mugabe and the White African", "Sergio", "Soundtrack for a Revolution","The Beaches of Agnes", "Burma VJ", "The Cove", "Every Little Step", "Facing Ali", "Food, Inc.", "Garbage Dreams", "Under Our Skin", "Valentino The Last Emperor", and "Which Way Home."

5 documentary features from that list will be chosen as nominees for the 82nd Academy Awards. Nominations will be announced Feb. 2, 2010 and the awards will be presented March 7.