The Critics Choice Association (CCA) has announced the nominees for the Tenth Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards (CCDA). The winners will be revealed at a gala event on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at The Edison Ballroom in Manhattan. Hosted by award-winning actor, writer, and producer Aasif Mandvi, the milestone event will bring together leading filmmakers, industry professionals, and special guests for an evening celebrating excellence in documentary filmmaking.
Legendary documentarian Ken Burns will receive the Critics Choice Impact Award, which will be presented by acclaimed actor Christine Baranski. The prestigious award recognizes documentarians whose work has illuminated our shared story, made complex issues accessible to broad audiences, and sparked meaningful dialogue that inspires reflection and action. Ken Burns exemplifies this impact through a career that has brought the American experience vividly to life and deepened the nation’s understanding of itself.
Visionary filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, previously announced as recipients of the CCA’s Pennebaker Award (formerly the Critics Choice Lifetime Achievement Award), will have the honor presented by Pennebaker’s widow and collaborator, Chris Hegedus. Named in tribute to trailblazing documentarian D.A. Pennebaker, the award celebrates filmmakers whose careers have made a profound and lasting contribution to the art of documentary storytelling.
Orwell: 2+2=5 leads the pack with seven nominations including Best Documentary Feature. The film’s other nominations are Raoul Peck for Best Director, Alexandra Strauss for Best Editing, Alexei Aigui for Best Score, Best Narration (Written by George Orwell, Adapted by Raoul Peck, Performed by Damian Lewis), Best Archival Documentary, and Best Political Documentary.
The Perfect Neighbor received six nominations including Best Documentary Feature, Geeta Gandbhir for Best Director, Viridiana Lieberman for Best Editing, Laura Heinzinger for Best Score, Best Archival Documentary, and Best True Crime Documentary.
The Critics Choice Association honors the year’s finest achievements in documentaries released in theaters, on TV, and on major digital platforms, as determined by the voting of qualified CCA members. Nominations are determined by the voting of qualified CCA members with expertise in the documentary field. The tenth annual awards ceremony is produced by Bob Bain of Bob Bain Productions and Joey Berlin of Berlin Entertainment.
“The nominated films and series this year remind us how documentary storytelling can illuminate truth, inspire empathy, and deepen our understanding of the world,” said Christopher Campbell, Critics Choice Association’s VP, Documentary. “We’re thrilled to recognize the filmmakers whose vision and dedication keep the art form evolving.”
National Geographic Documentary Films returns as a Catalyst Sponsor for the event.
