Amy Winehouse vs. Scientology in British Documentary Competition
Asif Kapadia’s Oscar-winner “Amy” and Alex Gibney’s controversial “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief” will both compete in two categories at the Grierson Trust’s 44th British Documentary Awards.
The nominations, announced Tuesday, saw 23 women directors represented across the 52 film and television documentary productions short-listed.
Kapadia and Gibney’s films will compete with Joshua Oppenheimer’s “The Look of Silence” – his follow-up to the acclaimed “The Act of Killing” – and Matthew Heineman’s “Cartel Land” for Best Cinema Documentary. “Amy,” about late singer Amy Winehouse (pictured), also received a nomination as Best Arts Documentary.
“Going Clear” also vies for Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme – International, where its competition will include Sean McAllister’s BAFTA-nominated “A Syrian Love Story,” Jerry Rothwell’s “How to Change The World” and James Jones’ “Children Of The Gaza War,” a BBC television production.
The BBC leads the way with 27 nominations across all 14 categories, including all four of the nominees in the Best Presenter category.
“It’s been an incredible year for big screen docs with ‘Amy’ and ‘Going Clear’ making global headlines, as well as television continuing its rude health in increasingly difficult circumstances,” said Lorraine Heggessey, chairwoman of The Grierson Trust. “If recent television events tell us anything, it’s about the tough fiscal decisions the industry is facing, and to see so many great films still being produced is almost a miracle.”
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on Nov. 7.
The full list of nominations is available here.
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