Film

Posted: Fri., Oct. 9, 2009, 5:04pm PT

Academy reveals short list for short docs
Oscar contenders to be unveiled Feb. 2
By VARIETY STAFF

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has short-listed eight titles in the running for Oscar docu short noms.

Voters from AMPAS' docu branch narrowed the list from 37 eligible entries this year, of which three to five will earn noms in the category. Nominations for the 82nd annual Academy Awards will be unveiled Feb. 2, with the kudos presented March 7 at the Kodak Theater.

The contenders are:


•"China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province," Downtown Community Television Center, Inc.

•"The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner," Just Media

•"The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant," Community Media Prods.

•"Lt. Watada," Chanlim Films

•"Music by Prudence," iThemba Prods.

•"Rabbit a la Berlin," MS Films

•"Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak," Outside Prods.

•"Woman Rebel," Women Rebel Films

Both the "Sichuan Province" and "The Last Truck" docs have aired on HBO recently. I watched "The Last Truck" and it was quite moving and topical. It would be nice to see it recognized.