The race for the documentary feature Academy Award spotlights quality filmmaking, but also requires a whole lot of money and the support of international doc branch voters. This year’s crop of top contenders includes films about investigative reporter Seymour Hersh, America’s corrupt prison system, George Orwell, the Israel-Hamas war, racism in America and Leni Riefenstahl. While docs about boldface names are in the mix, this year’s Oscar race includes very few celebrity-driven films. Here’s a run-down of the top contenders.

2000 Meters to Andriivka

DIRECTOR Mstyslav Chernov

PRODUCERS Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner, Raney Aronson-Rath, the Associated Press

DISTRIBUTOR Frontline

The film, which follows a Ukrainian platoon’s mission to liberate the occupied village of Andriivka fr

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