{"id":368739,"date":"2025-11-10T07:55:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T07:55:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/368739\/"},"modified":"2025-11-10T07:55:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T07:55:12","slug":"2025-critics-choice-documentary-awards-winners-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/368739\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Critics Choice Documentary Awards Winners List"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yes, folks, we\u2019re not even to Thanksgiving, and awards<\/a> season is already in full swing. Currently in the spotlight: the year\u2019s best documentaries, care of this year\u2019s Critics Choice Documentary Awards<\/a>, which took place on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at The Edison Ballroom in Manhattan. Geeta Gandbhir\u2019s lauded feature \u201cThe Perfect Neighbor\u201d<\/a> was the evening\u2019s big winner, walking away with not just a Best Documentary Feature win and a Best Director win for Gandbhir<\/a>, but also Best Editing for Viridiana Lieberman, Best Archival Documentary, and Best True Crime Documentary.<\/p>\n

Hosted by award-winning actor, writer, and producer Aasif Mandvi, the annual event hosted a variety of leading filmmakers, industry professionals, and special guests for an evening celebrating excellence in documentary filmmaking.\u00a0Other big winners included \u201cMr. Scorsese,\u201d \u201cOcean with David Attenborough,\u201d and\u00a0\u201cOrwell: 2+2=5,\u201d which each won two awards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"'Savageland'<\/a> \""Little<\/a> <\/p>\n

The evening also honored legendary documentarian Ken Burns, who received the Critics Choice Impact Award, which was presented by acclaimed actor Christine Baranski; and\u00a0visionary \u201cFolktales\u201d filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady<\/a>, who received the CCA\u2019s Pennebaker Award (formerly the Critics Choice Lifetime Achievement Award), presented to them by Pennebaker\u2019s widow and collaborator, Chris Hegedus.<\/p>\n

\u201cTen years in, and the art of documentary storytelling has never been more vital or vibrant,\u201d said\u00a0Christopher Campbell, Vice President of Documentary at the Critics Choice Association in an official statement. \u201cThis year\u2019s filmmakers show, through their creativity and courage, just how powerful documentaries can be in shaping our view of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Critics Choice Documentary Awards<\/a> honors the year\u2019s finest achievements in documentaries released in theaters, on\u00a0TV<\/a>, and on major digital platforms, as determined by the voting of qualified CCA members (at IndieWire, that includes yours truly, David Ehrlich, Anne Thompson, and Marcus Jones). Nominations were determined by the voting of qualified CCA members with expertise in the documentary field. The 10th annual awards ceremony was produced by Bob Bain of Bob Bain Productions and Joey Berlin of Berlin Entertainment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Check out the full list of this year\u2019s winners below. All nominees are listed, and winners are indicated in bold.<\/p>\n

Best Documentary Feature<\/p>\n

\u201c2000 Meters to Andriivka\u201d (Frontline Features \/ The Associated Press)
\u201cThe Alabama Solution\u201d (HBO Max)
\u201cApocalypse in the Tropics\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cCover-Up\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cDeaf President Now!\u201d (Apple TV)
\u201cOrwell: 2+2=5\u201d (Neon)
\u201cPee-wee as Himself\u201d (HBO Max)
\u201cThe Perfect Neighbor\u201d (Netflix) WINNER
<\/strong>\u201cRiefenstahl\u201d (Kino Lorber)
\u201cThe Tale of Silyan\u201d (National Geographic)<\/p>\n

Best Director<\/p>\n

Mstyslav Chernov \u2013 \u201c2000 Meters to Andriivka\u201d (Frontline Features \/ The Associated Press)
Petra Costa \u2013 \u201cApocalypse in the Tropics\u201d (Netflix)
Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim \u2013 \u201cDeaf President Now!\u201d (Apple TV)
Geeta Gandbhir \u2013 \u201cThe Perfect Neighbor\u201d (Netflix) WINNER<\/strong>
<\/strong>Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman \u2013 \u201cThe Alabama Solution\u201d (HBO Max)
Raoul Peck \u2013 \u201cOrwell: 2+2=5\u201d (Neon)<\/p>\n

Best First Documentary Feature<\/p>\n

\u201cArt for Everybody\u201d (Tremolo Productions)
\u201cGrand Theft Hamlet (Mubi)
\u201cMy Mom Jayne: A\u00a0Film<\/a>\u00a0by Mariska Hargitay\u201d (HBO Max) WINNER<\/strong>
<\/strong>\u201cSeeds\u201d (Interior Films)
\u201cStiller and Meara: Nothing is Lost\u201d (Apple TV)
\u201cStrange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror\u201d (Margot Station)<\/p>\n

Best Cinematography<\/p>\n

Ben Bernard \u2013 \u201cArchitecton\u201d (A24)
Jean Dakar \u2013 \u201cThe Tale of Silyan\u201d (National Geographic)
Elizabeth Lo \u2013 \u201cMistress Dispeller\u201d (Oscilloscope)
Lars Erlend Tubaas \u00d8ymo and Tor Edvin Eliassen \u2013 \u201cFolktales\u201d (Magnolia Pictures)
Brittany Shyne \u2013 \u201cSeeds\u201d (Interior Films)
Toby Strong, Doug Anderson (Underwater Photography) \u2013 \u201cOcean with David Attenborough\u201d <\/strong>(National Geographic)WINNER<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Best Editing<\/p>\n

Michael Harte \u2013 \u201cDeaf President Now!\u201d (Apple TV)
James Lester and Oz Rodr\u00edguez, John MacDonald (Music Montage) \u2013 \u201cLadies & Gentlemen\u2026 50 Years of SNL Music\u201d (NBC)
Viridiana Lieberman \u2013 \u201cThe Perfect Neighbor\u201d (Netflix) WINNER<\/strong><\/strong>
<\/strong>Page Marsella \u2013 \u201cThe Alabama Solution\u201d (HBO Max)
Michelle Mizner \u2013 \u201c2000 Meters to Andriivka\u201d (Frontline Features \/ The Associated Press)
Alexandra Strauss \u2013 \u201cOrwell: 2+2=5\u201d (Neon)<\/p>\n

Best Score<\/p>\n

Alexei Aigui \u2013 \u201cOrwell: 2+2=5\u201d (Neon) WINNER<\/strong><\/strong>
<\/strong>Kris Bowers \u2013 \u201cThe Eyes of Ghana\u201d (Breakwater Studios \/ Higher Ground Media)
Laura Heinzinger \u2013 \u201cThe Perfect Neighbor\u201d (Netflix)
Claudia Sarne \u2013 \u201cLove + War\u201d (National Geographic)
Sam Slater \u2013 \u201c2000 Meters to Andriivka\u201d (Frontline Features \/ The Associated Press)
Pawe\u0142 Szyma\u0144ski \u2013 \u201cTrains\u201d (EPF Media \/ Drygas Film Production)<\/p>\n

Best Narration<\/p>\n

\u201c2000 Meters to Andriivka\u201d (Frontline Features \/ The Associated Press)
Written by Mstyslav Chernov
Performed by Mstyslav Chernov<\/p>\n

\u201cThe American Revolution\u201d (PBS)
Written by Geoffrey C. Ward
Performed by Peter Coyote<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Americas\u201d (NBC)
Written by Michael Gunton, Holly Spearing, Steve Cole, Kathryn Jeffs, Matt Richards, Giles Badger, Victoria Buckley, Alex Griffiths, Hannah Hoare, Poppy Riddle, Gillian Taylor, Nikki Waldron, Evie Wright, Charlotte Bostock, Victoria Bobin, and Ingrid Kvale
Performed by Tom Hanks<\/p>\n

\u201cApocalypse in the Tropics\u201d (Netflix)
Written by Petra Costa
Performed by Petra Costa<\/p>\n

\u201cOctopus!\u201d (Prime Video)
Written by Gabriel Bisset-Smith
Performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge<\/p>\n

\u201cOrwell: 2+2=5\u201d (Neon) WINNER<\/strong><\/strong>
Written by George Orwell, Adapted by Raoul Peck
Performed by Damian Lewis<\/strong><\/p>\n

Best Archival Documentary<\/p>\n

\u201cOne to One: John & Yoko\u201d (Magnolia Pictures)
\u201cOrwell: 2+2=5\u201d (Neon)
\u201cThe Perfect Neighbor\u201d (Netflix) WINNER<\/strong><\/strong>
<\/strong>\u201cRiefenstahl\u201d (Kino Lorber)
\u201cTrains\u201d (EPF Media \/ Drygas Film Production)
\u201cWTO\/99\u201d (Foghorn Features)<\/p>\n

Best Historical Documentary<\/p>\n

\u201cThe American Revolution\u201d (PBS)<\/strong> WINNER<\/strong> (TIE)<\/strong>
\u201cCover-Up\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cEyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest 1977-2015\u201d (HBO Max)
\u201cHurricane Katrina: Race Against Time\u201d (National Geographic) WINNER<\/strong><\/strong> (TIE)
<\/strong>\u201cNumber One on the Call Sheet\u201d (Apple TV)
\u201cRiefenstahl\u201d (Kino Lorber)<\/p>\n

Best Biographical Documentary<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn Candy: I Like Me\u201d (Prime Video)
\u201cLove + War\u201d (National Geographic)
\u201cMr. Scorsese\u201d (Apple TV) WINNER<\/strong><\/strong>
<\/strong>\u201cMy Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay\u201d (HBO Max)
\u201cPee-wee as Himself\u201d (HBO Max)
\u201cStiller and Meara: Nothing is Lost\u201d (Apple TV)<\/p>\n

Best Music Documentary<\/p>\n

\u201cBecoming Led Zeppelin\u201d (Sony Pictures Classics) WINNER (TIE)
<\/strong>\u201cBilly Joel: And So It Goes\u201d (HBO Max)
\u201cBono: Stories of Surrender\u201d (Apple TV)
\u201cIt\u2019s Never Over, Jeff Buckley\u201d (Magnolia Pictures)
\u201cLadies & Gentlemen\u2026 50 Years of SNL Music\u201d (NBC)
\u201cSly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)\u201d (Hulu)<\/strong> WINNER<\/strong> (TIE)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Best Political Documentary<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Alabama Solution\u201d (HBO Max) WINNER<\/strong><\/strong>
<\/strong>\u201cApocalypse in the Tropics\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cDeaf President Now!\u201d (Apple TV)
\u201cThe Librarians\u201d (Independent Lens)
\u201cMy Undesirable Friends: Part I \u2013 Last Air in Moscow\u201d (Marminchilla)
\u201cOrwell: 2+2=5\u201d (Neon)<\/p>\n

Best Science\/Nature Documentary<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Americas\u201d (NBC)
\u201cCheckpoint Zoo\u201d (Abramorama)
\u201cThe Last Rhinos: A New Hope\u201d (National Geographic)
\u201cOcean with David Attenborough\u201d (National Geographic) WINNER<\/strong><\/strong>
<\/strong>\u201cOctopus!\u201d (Prime Video)
\u201cPangolin: Kulu\u2019s Journey\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

Best Sports Documentary<\/p>\n

\u201cAmerica\u2019s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders\u201d (Netflix) WINNER<\/strong><\/strong>
<\/strong>\u201cAmerica\u2019s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cBig Dreams: Little League World Series 2024 (ESPN Films)
\u201cFull Court Press\u201d (ESPN+)
\u201cSouthpaw: The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott\u201d (ESPN)
\u201cWe Beat the Dream Team\u201d (HBO Max)<\/p>\n

Best True Crime Documentary<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Alabama Solution\u201d (HBO Max)
\u201cGone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cThe Perfect Neighbor\u201d (Netflix) WINNER<\/strong><\/strong>
<\/strong>\u201cPredators\u201d (MTV Documentary Films \/ Paramount+)
\u201cUnknown Number: The High School Catfish\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cThe Yogurt Shop Murders\u201d (HBO Max)<\/p>\n

Best Short Documentary<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the Empty Rooms\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cClassroom 4\u201d (PBS)
\u201cThe Devil is Busy\u201d (HBO Max)
\u201cExodus\u201d (Message Pictures)
\u201cFiddler on the Moon: Judaism in Space\u201d (Ironbound Films)
\u201cSallie\u2019s Ashes\u201d (Robi Creative)
\u201cSaving Superman\u201d (Switchboard) WINNER
<\/strong>\u201cShanti Rides Shotgun\u201d (Voyager)<\/p>\n

Best Limited Documentary Series<\/p>\n

\u201cThe American Revolution\u201d (PBS)
\u201cEyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest 1977-2015\u201d (HBO Max)
\u201cGone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer\u201d (Netflix)
\u201cHurricane Katrina: Race Against Time\u201d (National Geographic)
\u201cMagic City: An American Fantasy\u201d (Starz)
\u201cMr. Scorsese\u201d (Apple TV) WINNER<\/strong><\/strong>
<\/strong>\u201cSNL50: Beyond Saturday Night\u201d (Peacock)
\u201cThe Yogurt Shop Murders\u201d (HBO Max)<\/p>\n

Best Ongoing Documentary Series<\/p>\n

\u201c30 for 30\u201d (ESPN Films) WINNER<\/strong><\/strong>
<\/strong>\u201cAmerican Masters\u201d (PBS)
\u201cThe Reluctant Traveler\u201d (Apple TV)
\u201cSolo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross\u201d (Roku Channel)
\u201cTrafficked with Mariana van Zeller\u201d (National Geographic)
\u201cTrainwreck\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Yes, folks, we\u2019re not even to Thanksgiving, and awards season is already in full swing. Currently in the…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":368740,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[5800,177971,177972,171,1020,173,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-368739","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"tag-awards","9":"tag-critics-choice-awards","10":"tag-critics-choice-documentary-awards","11":"tag-entertainment","12":"tag-film","13":"tag-tv","14":"tag-united-states","15":"tag-unitedstates","16":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115524333158837018","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368739","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=368739"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368739\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/368740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=368739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=368739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=368739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}