Documentary Films: Race to the Top Started

   Of the 89 documentary films eligible for Oscar consideration this year, 15 were selected for a short list of potential nominees. Unfortunately, some of the year's most popular documentary features were overlooked.

Photo: Documentary Films: Race to the Top Started

  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the 15 titles Wednesday.

  Thus, Academy members omitted Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story", which is strange enough as the film was praised by critics and earned more than $14 million at the box office.

  Among other disregarded by Oscar commettee was 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."

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

  The selections this year are "The Beaches of Agnes," "Burma VJ," "The Cove," "Every Little Step," "Facing Ali," "Food, Inc.," "Garbage Dreams," "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," "Under Our Skin," "Valentino The Last Emperor" and "Which Way Home."

  Five 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, according to the Associated Press'  report.