The SCAD Savannah Film Festival, in collaboration with The Hollywood Reporter, has unveiled its highly anticipated list of 10 standout documentaries slated for the 13th annual “Docs to Watch” panel. This prestigious selection, representing films poised for awards consideration, will feature their directors at a pivotal moment in the nonfiction filmmaking calendar, serving as a crucial stop on the path toward Academy Award nominations. The curated lineup for 2026 showcases a diverse array of compelling narratives from both established auteurs and emerging voices in the documentary sphere.
This year’s distinguished honorees include Poh Si Teng’s American Doctor, Ron Howard’s Avedon, Alysa Nahmias’s Cookie Queens, Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s Everest: The Other Side, Amir Bar-Lev’s The Last First: Winter K2, Julia Loktev’s My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile, William Greaves and David Greaves’s Once Upon a Time in Harlem, Itab Azzam & Jack MacInnes’s One in a Million, Rory Kennedy’s The Trial of Alec Baldwin, and Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim’s You Can See Everything. These films, distributed by notable entities such as Watermelon, Netflix, Roadside, Nat Geo, Apple, MUBI, Neon, Frontline, Abramorama, and A24, represent a spectrum of storytelling that is both timely and timeless.
The “Docs to Watch” panel has established itself as a significant indicator of Oscar potential. Over its twelve-year history, an impressive 27 films featured on the panel have gone on to receive a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Of these, eight have ultimately claimed the coveted statuette: Amy (2015), O.J.: Made in America (2016), Icarus (2017), Free Solo (2018), American Factory (2019), Summer of Soul (2021), Navalny (2022), and 20 Days in Mariupol (2023). This remarkable track record underscores the panel’s influence and the discerning eye of its curators.
The 13th annual “Docs to Watch” panel is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at the historic Lucas Theatre in Savannah. The 90-minute session will be moderated by Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter’s executive awards editor, and will provide an intimate forum for filmmakers to discuss their craft, the challenges of their projects, and their journeys to the screen. This event is a cornerstone of the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, offering attendees unparalleled access to the minds behind some of the year’s most impactful documentaries.
A Legacy of Award-Winning Storytelling
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival, a flagship event presented by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), has long been a vital platform for celebrating cinematic excellence. As the largest university-run film festival globally, it attracts approximately 75,000 attendees annually over its eight-day run, drawing industry titans and emerging talent alike. The festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse voices and groundbreaking narratives has cemented its reputation as a premier destination for filmmakers and cinephiles. The partnership with The Hollywood Reporter for the “Docs to Watch” panel further amplifies this commitment, specifically focusing on the documentary genre’s crucial role in shaping contemporary discourse and offering profound insights into the human experience.
Christina Routhier, Senior Executive Director of SCAD Theaters and Festivals, articulated the significance of this year’s selections. "This year’s Docs to Watch selections reflect a range of films that take us somewhere we didn’t expect to go, whether that’s into a hidden chapter of history, the life of an extraordinary individual, or a story unfolding in front of us right now," Routhier stated in a press release. "We’re excited to partner with Scott Feinberg and The Hollywood Reporter to bring these filmmakers and their films to Savannah and give our students and audiences the chance to experience the work, meet the artists behind it, and be part of the conversation." This sentiment highlights the festival’s dual mission: to foster a vibrant cinematic community and to provide invaluable educational opportunities for its students.
A Glimpse into the 2026 Docs to Watch Selections
The ten films selected for the 2026 “Docs to Watch” panel offer a compelling snapshot of the documentary landscape, spanning urgent geopolitical issues, intimate personal journeys, and extraordinary feats of human endeavor. Each film has garnered critical acclaim and is poised to resonate with audiences and awards voters.
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American Doctor: This independently financed film, directed by Malaysian-born American journalist Poh Si Teng, offers a poignant look at the human cost of conflict. It follows three American physicians—one Jewish, one Palestinian, and one Zoroastrian—as they volunteer their skills in a Gaza hospital amidst the ongoing war. The film is a testament to humanitarian spirit in the face of immense adversity, highlighting the dedication of medical professionals in a war-torn region.
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Avedon: From the acclaimed Oscar-winning director Ron Howard, Avedon delves into the life, work, and enduring legacy of the iconic American portrait photographer Richard Avedon. Leveraging unprecedented access to his personal archives, the documentary promises never-before-seen stills and behind-the-lens footage, offering an intimate portrait of a master artist who defined visual culture for decades.
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Cookie Queens: This heartwarming and commercially successful documentary, which has been noted as the year’s highest-grossing non-celebrity documentary, chronicles the ambitious endeavors of four young girls during the intense Girl Scouts cookie-selling season. Facing various personal challenges, these young entrepreneurs demonstrate resilience, teamwork, and a determination to achieve their sales goals, providing an uplifting narrative about childhood aspirations and perseverance.
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Everest: The Other Side: Directed by the Oscar-winning duo Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, renowned for Free Solo, this film ventures back into the realm of extreme outdoor adventure. It tells the story of a couple who fall in love and share a daring ambition: to climb and subsequently ski down the formidable north face of Mount Everest, pushing the boundaries of human capability and exploration.
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The Last First: Winter K2: Amir Bar-Lev’s latest project follows a team of elite mountaineers on a quest to achieve a feat never before accomplished: conquering K2, the world’s second-highest mountain, during the harsh winter months. This film captures the raw courage, meticulous planning, and sheer willpower required to face one of nature’s most formidable challenges.
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My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile: This ambitious six-hour installment is the second part of an epic portrait of independent Russian journalists. Following a five-hour first part, the series chronicles their brave reporting amidst Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian crackdown, a pursuit that ultimately forces them to flee their homeland to continue their work. The film provides a critical look at press freedom and the personal sacrifices made by those who dare to speak truth to power.
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Once Upon a Time in Harlem: This film represents a remarkable archival discovery and a profound act of filial completion. Featuring extraordinary footage shot by filmmaker William Greaves in 1972 at a gathering of Harlem Renaissance luminaries, the film was not completed until his son, David Greaves, brought it to fruition over half a century later. It offers a rare and invaluable glimpse into a pivotal moment in African American cultural history.
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One in a Million: Winner of the Sundance Film Festival’s Audience Award, this documentary follows a young Syrian girl and her family through a tumultuous decade. Their journey of displacement and refuge-seeking in Europe amidst the devastation of war in their homeland is a powerful testament to resilience and the enduring human spirit in the face of profound loss and uncertainty.
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The Trial of Alec Baldwin: This documentary grants exclusive access to Alec Baldwin in the aftermath of the tragic 2021 accidental shooting on the set of the film Rust. The film features compelling footage from the set, Baldwin’s police interrogation, and the subsequent legal proceedings, offering a raw and in-depth examination of the incident and its far-reaching consequences.
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You Can See Everything: Directed by Nathan Fielder (known for The Rehearsal) and Lance Oppenheim, this distinctive film explores a unique relationship. Fielder is welcomed into the home of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes in the 34 days leading up to her prison sentence, as he attempts to understand her motivations and the complex narrative surrounding her downfall. The film promises an unconventional and insightful look at a figure who captivated and confounded the public.
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival: A Hub for Cinematic Discovery
The 29th SCAD Savannah Film Festival will run from October 24 to October 31, 2026. Beyond the “Docs to Watch” panel, the festival is renowned for its comprehensive program, which includes exclusive screenings of anticipated features, retrospectives, conversations with filmmakers, and masterclasses. The festival’s robust educational component allows SCAD students to engage directly with industry professionals, gaining invaluable insights into the art and business of filmmaking.
The festival’s significant economic and cultural impact on Savannah is substantial, drawing national and international attention to the historic city. Its ability to secure prestigious industry events like “Docs to Watch” underscores its growing influence within the film festival circuit and its commitment to fostering a dynamic environment for cinematic innovation and appreciation. Tickets for the 2026 festival are currently on sale, inviting audiences to be part of this premier cinematic celebration. The sustained success and expanding scope of the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, particularly through its collaborations with leading industry publications like The Hollywood Reporter, solidify its position as a vital institution in the global film community.
