Cinema of Truth: Documentary and Oscar 2025 Short Documentary Category Nominees

What is Documentary Film Exactly?

A documentary is a film or a spectacle that has the characteristics and quality of a document. If we make a ranking from reality to fiction, the most distant one is science fiction-comedy fiction; The closest to reality is the documentary film. The truth, supported by documents, is reconstructed during the filming phase of the film. Although there are fictional additions from time to time, the difference between fiction and a documentary is sometimes blurred because it is based on documents and reality. 

The first documentary film was a 1922 documentary called Nanook of the North, a Robert J. Flaherty film. This film attracted a lot of attention at that time. It is not known whether there was a confusion about whether to shoot real or fictionalized films, but everyone with a camera tried to shoot everything they could think of. And I'm glad they did. Today, all this is a document for us

Documentary film has some basic characteristics.

• Reality is the most important feature of a documentary. Because a documentary is completely based on reality and documents. Data, research, observation, analysis and synthesis are at the forefront. Emotions are not intensely involved in the documentary.
• Education and information is one of the purposes of documentary production. The aim is to make other people share or show an event, a situation or an observation. Therefore, reality is conveyed as it is.
• Various narrative techniques are one of the characteristics of documentary. Documentary films can be observational, or they can be about a topic I have researched. They can also be project, performative, poetic or explanatory. When we make this transfer using artistic tools, we get a documentary film.

Documentary Film Types

Documentary films can be made in various genres. Each documentary is evaluated within its own category. A nature documentary is not the same as a science documentary. But regardless of the genre, the subject we tell based on the documentary has a story and a message. As we always say, even if it is a documentary, the basic element is the story and it has a script. What do we want to tell, that's the question. As a result, after watching a documentary film, the aim is not just to give the viewer data based on information. The aim is also to make an intellectual and emotional transfer. We can list the types of documentary films as follows.

• Nature documentary; this is the most common type of documentary film we watch. Isn't the first image that comes to our minds when we think of a documentary film the image of a lion chasing a gazelle or an antelope? Just like this, it is produced to convey nature, natural beauties, animals, plants, ecosystem or a problem that one, several or maybe all of these are exposed to. Describing the process of a natural event such as an earthquake, volcanic eruption or flood is also the subject of a nature documentary.
• Social documentaries are documentaries about a social problem, war, the social impact of a natural event, daily life, activity, happiness, activity or a problem that deals with the social situation.
• Political documentaries are about political events, justice, human rights, political personalities, political events, international events. Political documentaries also attract quite an audience.
• History documentaries are about historical events, places, people, periods, wars and influences. Archaeologists and historians should work together on this subject. Historical documents are processed in a certain chronology. If the subject or event described takes place in a certain time period, the chronology appropriate to that time period should be followed.
• Educational documentaries are documentaries produced to provide information about periodic processes of education, materials, people or a particular subject. 
• Sports documentaries are documentaries about sports branches, athletes, daily activities of athletes, processes leading to success, sports equipment and materials, sports competitions, tribune events, sports history. They are especially watched by young people. 
• Biographical documentaries are documentaries about the life or achievements, discoveries and processes of an important and well-known person. These documentaries, which are very important, can also be a source of inspiration for the next generation, because biographical documentaries are, in a way, ideal people. From time to time, documentaries have also been made about famous criminals and smugglers. I think these are also very important documentaries.
• Road and ruins documentaries are documentaries in which modern-day travelers who love to travel tell about the places they have visited, the food they have eaten and the adventures they have had on the road. Documentaries about a vacation destination or road stories attract a lot of attention.
• Art documentaries are documentaries about artists, their works, periods, art movements, music groups, musical developments and art equipment. Art is an ocean in itself. In this ocean there are many subjects to be told. You can make an in-depth documentary from any branch or subject of art. 
• Ethnographic documentaries focus on the cultural elements, beliefs and lifestyles, folkloric elements, cultural personalities and traditions of our own or another country. This type of documentary is golden for getting to know different cultures. Because it is never possible to understand a different culture through a touristic trip. Because touristic areas are places to create a certain image. This type of documentary gives us very detailed and accurate information about the culture we want to learn about.
• Scientific documentaries can be about discoveries, inventions, technological inventions and innovations, current or past research, space, galaxies, technical equipment. Scientific documentaries are a very special genre, especially for enthusiasts.

Documentary Film Production Process 

The production process of a documentary film requires a lot of attention and care. Since there is no fiction, the accuracy of the information given is very important. The documentary film making process is as follows

• Topic selection and research. What do we want to tell, what should be our message, how will we tell it, what time period will we tell it or who will we tell it to? The answer to all these questions is our subject. There is no documentary without a subject. Once we have identified our subject, we need to do in-depth research and gather documents. If we need data, we need to do research or check the data security of the research already done. 
• Planning and pre-production. Here, our subject is transferred to the audience within a certain scenario. When we think of a script, we should not think of fiction. A script is an integrated written structure with an introduction, development and conclusion. The content of this can be fiction or reality. Scripts are not only written for films. Series, feature films, clips, advertisements, short films, and documentaries are transferred to the audience within a script. While conveying our subject, how the introduction, development and conclusion will be conveyed is decided with the script. A shooting schedule is created, and equipment and budget adjustments are made. Documentary filming is teamwork.
• Production. It is the shooting in accordance with the schedule determined by the prepared scenario, budget, and adjusted equipment.
• Post-production. It is the process of combining the captured images with editing, sound, and music.
• Distribution and screening. It includes the process of determining the places where our documentary film will be screened and delivering it there.

Things to Consider in a Documentary Film

The most important element to be considered when preparing a documentary film is objectivity. The subject, person, or event we want to convey will be a fiction because our transfer of the request will be our judgment. We must research objectively and make our transfer. 

Another issue is that of ethics. No matter what kind of documentary you are going to make, you cannot interfere in the event, the process, the direction of the development, you must maintain your impartiality. You have to stay within ethical boundaries and follow legal rules.

Creativity is also an issue that needs attention. Documentary film is not the dumping of documents or the truth on the viewer. It is an intellectual activity and requires creativity.

Technical equipment is perhaps one of the most important issues. No matter how good the subject of your documentary film is, if your equipment to transfer it to the audience is problematic, it will become garbage. That's why you should choose the right equipment and use it correctly.

Your storytelling is as important as anything else. This is where the captivating narrative style of your script comes into play. As I was writing these lines, I remembered a documentary film about a bear's journey with her cubs. I couldn't hold back my tears. Impressive narration is to leave a taste in the audience that they will not forget even years later.

Short Documentaries and Examples

Short documentary films are documentary films produced with the same short film logic and lasting no more than forty minutes. There are examples of short documentaries for all of the documentary genres I have written above. Preparing a documentary film is at least as costly as preparing a fiction film. Therefore, preparing a short documentary film has the advantages of preparing a short film. It is less costly, easier to shoot, easier to broadcast. Platforms are a blessing for short documentary broadcasting. They also offer great convenience in terms of access for the audience.

The first short documentary film was made in 1894 by William K. L. Dickson and featured Fred Ott. This film, titled Fred Ott's Sneeze, is also the second motion picture in the United States. Fred Ott's Sneeze, a silent film of about five seconds, has gone down in history as the first documentary film.

I would like to share a few short documentary films that I enjoyed watching very much.

The first short documentary film I will share, Birthday of the Camera Phone, is a very interesting documentary. The connection between the birth of the camera phone and the birth of a baby is very well established. I should also mention that these kinds of inventions are mostly made by people who don't fit into the norms of the society, which in society is roughly called "crackheads". I absolutely loved it, it connects you with its story. I definitely recommend you to watch it.

Another short documentary film I would recommend is Figure, a very interesting documentary. The subject of our documentary is a gigantic statue of Pope John Paul II in Czechia. Our director, who is also from Czechia, tells us in detail the whole process of the huge statue of the Pope; from the construction phase, to the transportation of the parts to the place where they will be assembled, to the assembly phase, to the completion phase. In the process after the completion of the work, the curiosity and interest of the people in the Pope's statue is described with a beautiful and silent testimony. The process of moving the statue, which was made in a cold period of time, presents the viewer with beautiful shots. The film is very serene and does not tire you at all. I think it is a nice and ideal short documentary film to watch, especially before going to sleep or while having dinner. 

Another short documentary film, A Concerto is A Conversation, is a wonderful documentary. A slice of the life of accomplished composer Kris Bowers and his grandfather is beautifully and movingly told. His grandfather is ill, and Kris, his grandson, is there to spend more time with his grandfather and listen to his memories. At a very young age, Grandpa faced racism and discrimination. When he was a little older, he immediately moved to another region and built a life there. He overcame difficulties with his children and grandchildren and was a close follower of their achievements. In fact, at one point in the documentary, the grandfather says: "Witnessing the success of my children and grandchildren is the glory of my life." Honestly, this statement impressed me a lot. Another interesting part for me is that even though his grandson is a very successful and award-winning composer, the impact of racism is still seen even in him. "Am I worthy of this place?" he questions. And his grandfather's answer is very beautiful: "If you weren't worthy, you wouldn't have gotten there." I think every minute of it is worth watching. 

Another short documentary is Isabella, a beautiful documentary. Isabella is a 92-year-old dementia patient and Ross Hogg's grandmother. She vividly remembers and recounts two memories of past events that clearly affected her. Both of these recollections involve peer bullying and she has not forgotten any details, but she is confused about the event that happened not too long ago and it is clear from her facial expressions that she is struggling. The director asks us the question "How much of your life do you need to remember in order to remain yourself?" Everyone can have their own answer to this, but I think our memories and experiences make us who we are. When we don't remember, we lose our subject status. It feels very hurtful when you think about it, but it is a part of life and we can face it. I wish everyone a good life with integrity of mind, body and soul and I recommend the film to everyone.

This short documentary film, which I would highly recommend, cut me to the heart. Jay is a touching short biographical documentary. Our protagonist was born with a special condition, abused and neglected, subjected to problems and pressures related to his gender. He got into the mire of alcohol and drugs. Then an experience he had caused a transformation and a break in his life. A completely different talent emerged in her. It is a very impressive documentary. Compassion and love can solve so many problems, but when you withhold these feelings, you can cause traumatic consequences. The other thing, which I think is very important, is that it hurts even more when the harm comes from those closest to you. I highly recommend you to watch this short documentary film that shows that life and people's lives are not just about our assumptions. 

The last short documentary film I would recommend raises a social issue. Landline is an interesting documentary. The subject of the documentary is gay farmers. The reason for focusing on farmers is that rural areas are more conservative and social norms are sharper. A landline was set up by a farmer who himself suffers from this problem and support services are provided to those who call this line. Gender codes are not a structure that changes easily. This is especially difficult in rural areas where people are more interconnected. I think this issue can be overcome with respect for human beings and their existence. It is an interesting documentary, I recommend it to those who are interested in the subject.

Oscar 2025 and Short Documentary Nominees

The Academy Awards are 97 years old this year and are one of the most prestigious awards in the world of cinema. It is given in various categories every year. The Short Documentary Film Category is a category where the products of short documentary cinema are selected and exhibited. This year, five nominees are competing against each other in the Short Documentary Category.

The first nominee is Death by Numbers. A 2024 documentary short film produced by Kim A. Snyder. The 33-minute documentary follows a school shooting victim as she confronts her attacker. It is a very interesting documentary short. 

Another candidate is I Am Ready, Warden. It is directed and produced by Smriti Mundhara. The 37-minute short documentary film has a very interesting subject. It reminded me of Victor Hugo's novel The Last Day of a Death Row Inmate. The short documentary documents the last days of John Henry Ramirez, who was sentenced to death in Texas, before his execution.  A very striking short documentary.

The other candidate is Incident. made by Bill Morrison and Jamie Kalben. Made in 2023, this short documentary is 30 minutes long. The subject of the short documentary is the footage of a man killed by police in Chicago in 2018. The incident is captured on security cameras and body camera footage. The incident has turned into a major political controversy. Bill Morrison presents this issue to the audience with a short documentary.

The other nominee is Instruments of a Beating Heart. The short documentary film is made by Ema Ryan Yamazaki and Eric Nyari. The 23-minute short documentary takes place in a school in Tokyo. The documentary about the preparations for the ceremony organized for the first-grade students and the choral preparations for the song to be sung at that ceremony is quite cute and beautiful. We can say it is an ambitious candidate.

Our last nominee is The Only Girl in The Orchestra. The 35-minute documentary was made in 2023. Directed by Molly O'Brien. Orion O'Brien is a double bassist and the first female musician of the New York Philharmonic. In the short documentary film made by her niece Molly O'Brien, the musical journey of the famous musician, who is now 87 years old, is conveyed to the audience with beautiful images and a musical flavor.

All the nominees are very interesting. We don't know which of them will get the award, but whichever one they get, they will have a well-deserved prize!