Documentary Filmmaker navigates rigorous Oscar Qualification Process
LOS ANGELES – as the Oscar season heats up,filmmaker Avi Cohen is facing the challenging realities of securing a nomination for his documentary,The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue,which recounts the harrowing rescue of Israeli Major-General Noam Tibon‘s family during the October 7,2023 Hamas attack. Cohen details the complex and exclusive process required for documentary eligibility, a world vastly different from traditional film campaigning.
According to Cohen, a film must meet strict criteria to qualify for consideration. It must either have a seven-day theatrical run in both Los Angeles and New York City, or have secured a qualifying award at a festival recognized by the Academy - TIFF shorts being one example. Crucially, the film cannot have been released via streaming or broadcast during the qualifying period.
Once qualified, the documentary branch of the Academy undertakes a multi-stage voting process. This year,members will initially screen 201 films,ranking up to 15 in order of preference. The 15 films receiving the most votes will advance to a shortlist. Later, members will view the shortlisted films and vote for up to five, with the five highest-voted films becoming the final nominees for Best Documentary Feature film. Voting begins December 8.
Cohen acknowledges the difficulty of reaching the initial shortlist of 15, particularly with limited marketing resources. His team is employing targeted screenings for Academy voters, FYC (For Your consideration) marketing to drive views on the Academy portal, and leveraging the buzz generated by the film’s controversy at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Despite the long odds, Cohen remains grounded, recalling advice from Martin Scorsese: “You don’t make pictures for Oscars, you make them for the audience.” He notes that the film already received the People’s Choice documentary Award at TIFF.
The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue will be available for purchase or rental on-demand via Amazon and Apple on December 16.
