As the Academy Awards nomination voting kicks off on Monday, filmmakers behind three Oscar-shortlisted documentaries are sharing insights into their works during a timely episode of Deadline's Doc Talk podcast. The discussion features directors Ryan White, Amber Fares, and Christopher Radcliff, who delve into the personal stories and unexpected humor that define their films: Come See Me in the Good Light, Coexistence, My Ass!, and the short documentary We Were the Scenery. Hosted by Oscar winner John Ridley, known for directing 12 Years a Slave and Shirley, and Matthew Carey, Deadline's senior documentary editor, the podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at these contenders vying for a spot in the final nominees list.
The episode arrives at a pivotal moment in the 2026 awards season. Documentary filmmakers on the shortlist, announced earlier this month, are navigating the intense anticipation following their initial recognition. According to Academy rules, the shortlist narrows the field to 15 feature-length documentaries and 10 shorts, with final nominations to be revealed on January 17, 2026. This year's list includes several Netflix titles, though notable snubs, such as Mariska Hargitay's involvement in a project and National Geographic's Silyan, have sparked conversations in industry circles.
Ryan White, a veteran of Oscar campaigns, leads the conversation about his feature Come See Me in the Good Light. White, whose previous films like Good Night Oppy, Coded, and Ask Dr. Ruth have contended for Academy Awards, describes how the project began with comedian Tig Notaro. The film chronicles the love story of poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley as they confront Gibson's terminal cancer diagnosis. "It tells the love story of poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley as they faced Gibson’s terminal cancer diagnosis with courage and surprising humor," White explains on the podcast, highlighting the film's emotional core.
Winning more than a dozen awards worldwide, including the Festival Favorite at Sundance, Come See Me in the Good Light also features contributions from musicians Sara Bareilles and Brandi Carlile. They collaborated with Gibson on an original song that's now shortlisted for the Academy's best original song category. White recounts how these artists became involved, noting the song's role in amplifying the film's themes of resilience and joy amid adversity. The podcast touches on the song's potential to vie against heavyweights like Lin-Manuel Miranda's EGOT pursuits and Diane Warren's possible 16th nomination, though Miley Cyrus's Last Showgirl tune was notably omitted from the shortlist.
Shifting to geopolitical tensions, Amber Fares discusses Coexistence, My Ass!, her documentary featuring Israeli comedian Noam Shuster-Eliassi. The film addresses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through humor and urgency, exploring how Shuster-Eliassi's upbringing in a "peace oasis" in Israel—influenced her perspectives on inter-community relations. "She also tells us why 'coexistence' as advocated by some well-intentioned supporters of peace has failed to address an 'asymmetric' power imbalance on the ground," Fares shares, echoing Shuster-Eliassi's critique during the episode.
Shuster-Eliassi, the film's protagonist, elaborates on her experiences growing up where Jews and Palestinians lived harmoniously, a rarity amid broader conflicts. The documentary, which premiered at festivals in 2025, uses stand-up comedy to unpack the complexities of the ongoing crisis, including events from the past year that have heightened global attention. Fares and Shuster-Eliassi joined forces to create a narrative that challenges conventional peace narratives, emphasizing humor as a tool for dialogue. The podcast highlights how the film's shortlist placement comes at a time when documentary filmmakers are increasingly turning to real-world issues for storytelling.
Christopher Radcliff brings a historical lens to the discussion with We Were the Scenery, a short documentary that uncovers the extraordinary journey of Vietnamese couple Hoa Thi Che and Hue Nguyen Che. Fleeing Vietnam as "boat people" after the war in the mid-1970s, the couple ended up in a refugee camp in the Philippines. There, in a bizarre twist, they became extras in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now, with the Philippines standing in for Vietnam in the film's production.
Radcliff recounts vivid details from the couple's memories, including Coppola's "unusual manner of eating a mango," which remains a standout anecdote for the Ches. To this day, the couple prefers watching Apocalypse Now on an old VHS tape recorded from local television, complete with commercials—a choice that underscores their personal connection to the film beyond its Hollywood gloss. "We Were the Scenery unfolds with unexpected humor as Radcliff explores the relationship of a Vietnamese couple who fled their homeland," the podcast summary notes, capturing the blend of trauma and levity in their story.
The episode also contextualizes these films within the broader Oscar documentary landscape. Deadline's Matt Carey, co-host, has selected his top 10 documentaries of 2025, praising the shortlist's diversity while noting surprises like the inclusion of an "undesirable" film alongside Netflix heavyweights. Related discussions on previous Doc Talk episodes have debated snubs and shocks, such as the absence of certain high-profile projects. Ridley, drawing from his own Oscar-winning experience, facilitates a conversation that balances celebration with the nerves of awaiting nominations.
Produced by Deadline and Ridley's Nō Studios, the podcast is available on platforms like Spotify, iHeart, and Apple, making it accessible to awards enthusiasts tracking the 2026 season. The timing aligns with the full awards calendar, which includes guild nominations, the Grammys, Tonys, and the Oscars ceremony on March 8, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. As voting commences, these filmmakers represent a cross-section of documentary storytelling—from intimate personal battles to global conflicts and historical migrations.
Beyond the individual films, the podcast underscores the role of humor in documentaries tackling heavy subjects. White's film finds levity in facing mortality, Fares and Shuster-Eliassi use comedy to dissect power dynamics, and Radcliff highlights absurdities in the Ches' Hollywood brush. This approach, according to the directors, humanizes complex narratives and broadens their appeal, potentially influencing voter sentiments in the Academy's branch.
Industry observers note that the shortlist's composition reflects evolving tastes in nonfiction filmmaking. While Netflix dominates with multiple entries, independent voices like White's and Fares' stand out for their festival pedigrees. Radcliff's short, in particular, bridges personal history with cinematic lore, tying into Apocalypse Now's enduring legacy—now over 45 years since its 1979 release. The film's use of real refugees as extras, though controversial at the time, adds layers to the couple's retrospective account.
As nomination morning approaches, the filmmakers express a mix of optimism and realism. White, with his track record, views the shortlist as validation after years of crafting Oscar-caliber work. Fares hopes Coexistence, My Ass! sparks conversations on peace efforts, while Radcliff sees We Were the Scenery as a testament to overlooked immigrant stories. The podcast episode, running about 45 minutes, provides listeners with nuanced perspectives that could sway Academy members still deliberating.
Looking ahead, the final nominees will set the tone for the awards season's climax. With related news buzzing—such as Sebastian Stan in talks for The Batman Part II opposite Robert Pattinson, and box office previews for Greenland 2 and Primate yielding to Avatar sequels—the documentary category remains a beacon for substantive content. Meanwhile, Cannes winners face WGA ineligibility for screenplays, and the White House's new January 6 website stirs historical debates, but for now, these shortlisted docs hold the spotlight in the race to the Oscars.
In essence, Doc Talk's latest installment not only demystifies the shortlist process but also celebrates the artistry behind these films. As Ryan White put it regarding his project's origins, the collaboration with Notaro and musicians like Bareilles and Carlile transformed a poignant tale into something universally resonant. Listeners tuning in may find themselves rooting for these underdogs, whose stories of love, conflict, and survival echo far beyond the awards circuit.