Skip to content

Outstanding

Debut Feature

From Barbara Kopple’s Harlan County U.S.A. to Frederick Wiseman’s Titicut Follies, some of the most lauded and lasting nonfiction films of all time have been crafted by debut filmmakers.

  1. Honoree · 2016

    The Wolfpack

    Directed by Crystal Moselle

2016 Honors

2016 Honors

1 Honoree · 5 Nominees

Nominees

Previous Years

2015 Honoree Finding Vivian Maier Directed by John Maloof, Charlie Siskel
Honoree · 2015

Finding Vivian Maier

Directed by John Maloof, Charlie Siskel

Nominees

See the 2015 nominees in full →
2014 Honoree Cutie and the Boxer Directed by Zachary Heinzerling
2013 Honoree Only the Young Directed by Jason Tippet, Elizabeth Mims
Honoree · 2013

Only the Young

Directed by Jason Tippet, Elizabeth Mims

Nominees

See the 2013 nominees in full →
2012 Honoree The Arbor Directed by Clio Barnard
Honoree · 2012

The Arbor

Directed by Clio Barnard

Nominees

See the 2012 nominees in full →
2011 Honoree Marwencol Directed by Jeff Malmberg
Honoree · 2011

Marwencol

Directed by Jeff Malmberg

Nominees

See the 2011 nominees in full →
See all years (2008–2027) →

Our Sponsors

Premiere

  • Apple TV+
  • HBO Documentary Films
  • National Geographic Documentary Films

Major

  • Amazon MGM Studios
  • Hulu
  • Netflix

Partners

  • American Cinema Editors
  • DCTV
  • Spacestation
  • Vidiots