The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has confirmed that Doc Edge will maintain its prestigious Oscar® qualifying status through 2025, 2026, and 2027. This reaffirmation highlights Doc Edge’s standing as a world-class documentary film festival and a key platform for filmmakers aspiring for Academy Award® consideration.
This Oscar® qualifying status means that winners of Doc Edge’s Best International Feature, Best International Short Film, Best New Zealand Feature, and Best New Zealand Short Film categories will continue to be eligible for Oscar® nominations. This ensures that films premiering at Doc Edge gain vital international exposure and recognition at the highest level.
Doc Edge Festival Co-founder and Director Alex Lee expressed his pride in the festival’s ongoing relationship with the Academy: “The Academy Awards®’ trust in our programming and curation is a testament to the exceptional quality of documentaries we showcase. As the leading documentary film festival in the Asia-Pacific region, we are excited to continue championing the best in global documentary filmmaking.”
The Academy praised Doc Edge’s contributions to the filmmaking community, stating: “Inclusion on the Qualifying Festival List is a privilege reserved for organisations that excel in both their film selections and their contributions to global cinema.”
Now in its 19th year, Doc Edge enjoys strong support from filmmakers and audiences, reflected by a high Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 73 in 2023, with 80% of respondents identifying as festival promoters. This underlines the festival’s significance within the international festival circuit.
Remarkably, Doc Edge is one of only two festivals worldwide that qualifies four films for Oscar® consideration in the documentary category, alongside Brazil’s “It’s All True International Documentary Festival.” As the premier gateway for documentary filmmakers in the Asia-Pacific region, Doc Edge continues to offer unparalleled opportunities for international exposure.
Submissions for the 20th anniversary edition of Doc Edge in 2025 are now open.
