Oscar Race Forecast: Doc Talk Podcast Spotlights Early Contenders For Best Documentary Feature

It’s shaping up as another open-ended race for Best Documentary Feature at the 99th annual Academy Awards. As we move deeper into 2026, no single film has emerged as a clear frontrunner, but there are plenty of contenders even before potential candidates premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Telluride and TIFF.

The documentary category at the Oscars has been awarded since 1942, but it wasn't until 2010 that the Academy expanded the category to include more films, reflecting the growing popularity of documentaries.