The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival celebrates the six alumni films that earned nominations for the 98th Academy Awards®, announced January 22, 2026. This exceptional slate showcases HSDFF’s role as a major Oscars®-qualifying festival.
Documentary Short Film Nominees:
ALL THE EMPTY ROOMS
Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones, producers
ARMED ONLY WITH A CAMERA: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF BRENT RENAUD
Craig Renaud and Juan Arredondo, producers
THE DEVIL IS BUSY
Christalyn Hampton and Geeta Gandbhir, producers
Documentary Feature Nominees:
COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT
Ryan White, Jessica Hargrave, Tig Notaro, and Stef Willen, producers
THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR
Geeta Gandbhir, Alisa Payne, Nikon Kwantu, and Sam Bisbee, producers
CUTTING THROUGH ROCKS
Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni, producers
The complete list of nominees is here.
These nominations reflect Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival’s commitment to urgent and innovative documentary filmmaking. We’re honored to have been a part of the journeys of these special films.
The 98th Academy Awards® ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026.