AWARDS WATCH ‘08 | Academy Shortlists 15 for Best Doc Race

It’s hard to understand why “I.O.U.S.A.” is in the running, since it can barely qualify as a documentary. It completely ignores the possibility of health care reform as a solution to the budget deficit, and instead, ominously projects that Medicare and Social Security will bankrupt our government.

It’s like “Reefer Madness!” but with deficits…

For me, the most glaring omission is “Stranded: I’ve Come From a Plane That Crashed in the Mountains,” one of the best films I saw this year…documentary or otherwise. I’m glad to see “In a Dream,” “Encounters,” “Trouble the Water,” and “Man on Wire,” the latter of which is now in its 15th week of release here in San Francisco.

Of course not every great (or even good) doc will get a nod…but I am glad “Man on Wire” made the short-list.

i’m extremely thrilled - and surprised - that “In a Dream” has been recognized.

Good list but they are missing a few great films this year.

Did “Dear Zachary” not qualify?  Because it’s an incredible film on so many levels. Let’s hope it gets a nod at the Spirit awards.

There are always oversights BUT Academy Members should be commended for nominating “The Betrayal,” “In a Dream” and many of these other films.

There are always oversights BUT Academy Members should be commended for nominating “The Betrayal,” “In a Dream” and many of these other films.

I’m with both of you. The fact that “Dear Zachary” and “The Order of Myths” are not listed is a major oversight . Very sad.

Why anyone takes the Academy seriously is a mystery. Let’s be blunt: “Fuel” (formerly “Fields of Fuel”) is an embarrassment—a self-serving ego-driven bit of nonsense—and there are at least three others here, that while they have all the good intentions in the world, are mediocre at best. Important topics do not ensure important, well-made films, a fact that seems to escape an Academy so tone-deaf it ignores “The Order of Myths,” one of the three or four best docs in the last few years.

Kurt Kuenne’s “Dear Zachary” is sadly missing from this list but is already on plenty of top 10 lists and hopefully will find other venues for award recognition!  Not only is “Dear Zachary” one of the most moving films I’ve seen in a very long time - Kurt is one of the most gifted, genuine and gracious filmmakers I’ve worked with in my 8 years at Gen Art.