2026 Critics Choice Documentary Awards: 14th Leads Nominations List
- Ava DuVernay’s documentary 14th leads the field for the 11th annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards, securing six nominations including Best Documentary Feature.
- Following its world premiere at the New York Film Festival, 14th—a film examining the U.S.
- A competitive tier of documentaries followed with five nominations each.
Ava DuVernay’s documentary 14th
leads the field for the 11th annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards, securing six nominations including Best Documentary Feature.
Top Contenders and Category Leaders
Following its world premiere at the New York Film Festival, 14th
—a film examining the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment—earned nods for Best Documentary Feature, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Score, Best Political Documentary, and Best Historical Documentary, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The publication noted that the film’s editor, Spencer Averick, and composer, Jason Moran, were among the individual nominees.
Congratulations to the nominees for BEST ONGOING DOCUMENTARY SERIES at the 11th Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards! 🏆⁰BEST ONGOING DOCUMENTARY SERIES NOMINEES⁰🎥 30 for 30 ⁰🎥 America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders ⁰🎥 American Masters ⁰🎥 The Food That… pic.twitter.com/PXBykIXJrI
A competitive tier of documentaries followed with five nominations each. These include the Elizabeth Holmes-focused project You Can See Everything,
directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim; the documentary Once Upon a Time in Harlem
; and the film Nuisance Bear
. Several other productions, including Everybody to Kenmure Street,
Remake,
The History of Concrete,
Everest: The Other Side,
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,
Lion,
and Rehearsals for a Revolution,
each received four nominations. Alex Gibney’s four-hour examination of Elon Musk, titled Musk,
and the Israel-Gaza conflict documentary NAZA
both earned three nominations, The Hollywood Reporter stated.
Industry Recognition and Special Honors
The Critics Choice Association will present two major career honors during the upcoming ceremony. Director Ron Howard is set to receive the Critics Choice Impact Award, an honor recognizing significant contributions to the evolution of nonfiction storytelling. Additionally, filmmaker Jehane Noujaim will be presented with the Pennebaker Award, formerly known as the Critics Choice Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor, named for trailblazing documentarian D.A. Pennebaker, will be presented by his widow and collaborator, Chris Hegedus.
These films challenge us to see the world in new ways and reinforce the vital role documentaries play in informing, engaging, and inspiring audiences.
Ceremony Details and Event Logistics
The winners will be announced on November 8, 2026, during a gala held at The Edison Ballroom in Manhattan. Television personality Ross Mathews is scheduled to host the event, which gathers filmmakers and industry professionals to celebrate the year’s documentary output. While the nominations highlight a broad spectrum of subjects—ranging from political history to nature and true crime—the final outcomes will be determined by the association’s voting body ahead of the November ceremony.
We are proud to recognize the exceptional talent and creativity behind this year’s nominated films.
Christopher Campbell, Critics Choice Association VP, Documentary