The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival celebrates the 14 alumni films that have earned spots on the 2026 Academy Awards® shortlist.
Announced December 16, 2025, the list includes nine documentary features and five documentary shorts that screened at HSDFF before capturing the attention of Academy voters. Voting ends on January 16, 2026, and nominees will be announced January 22, 2026.
HSDFF Shortlisted Documentary Features:
- APOCALYPSE IN THE TROPICS
- COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT
- COVER-UP
- CUTTING THROUGH ROCKS
- HOLDING LIAT
- MISTRESS DISPELLER
- THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR
- SEEDS
- YANUNI
HSDFF Shortlisted Documentary Shorts:
- ALL THE EMPTY ROOMS
- ARMED ONLY WITH A CAMERA: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF BRENT RENAUD
- BAD HOSTAGE
- THE DEVIL IS BUSY
- LAST DAYS ON LAKE TRINITY
The link to the complete Oscars® Shortlist is here.
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival strives every year to be a premier showcase for
high-caliber documentary and we’re proud of these phenomenal examples.
Congratulations to all the films and filmmakers.
The 98th Academy Awards® ceremony will take place on March 2, 2026.