One of the things to consider here is that these directors may be from television or film, so programs like The Vietnam War and Wormwood aren’t Oscar eligible. The other three are all on the Academy’s 15-film shortlist. That bodes well for their Oscar chances, though members of the DGA aren’t likely to have much crossover with voters at the Academy.

The Awards

Best Documentary Director

Ken Burns & Lynn Novick – The Vietnam War
Bryan Fogel – Icarus
Matthew Heineman – City of Ghosts
Steve James – Abacus: Small Enough to Jail
Errol Morris – Wormwood

Directors Guild of America Data

Year Founded: 1936
First Awards: 1948 (70)