Oscars 2026: Documentary Short Predictions

All the Empty Rooms leads the pack, but The Devil is Busy poses a strong challenge

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The race for the Best Documentary Short Film Oscar is heating up as the 98th Academy Awards approach on March 15th, with a compelling slate of nominees tackling diverse and timely subjects. Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones' 'All the Empty Rooms' is considered a frontrunner, but faces stiff competition from Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton's 'The Devil Is Busy,' which provides an urgent and hopeful look inside an Atlanta abortion clinic.

Why it matters

The documentary short film category consistently delivers impactful and thought-provoking stories, and this year's nominees are no exception. Industry recognition could play a significant role in determining the winner, as the final Oscar ballot includes nominees in all 24 categories.

The details

Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones' 'All the Empty Rooms' offers a deeply moving portrait of loss, following CBS correspondent Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp as they document the empty bedrooms of children lost to school shootings. Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton's 'The Devil Is Busy' provides an urgent and hopeful look inside an Atlanta abortion clinic, centering the perspective of Tracii, the clinic's head of security. Gandbhir's nomination marks a historic moment, as she is the first Indian woman to receive double Oscar nominations this year.

  • The 98th Academy Awards will be held on March 15, 2026.

The players

Joshua Seftel

Co-director of the documentary film 'All the Empty Rooms'.

Conall Jones

Co-director of the documentary film 'All the Empty Rooms'.

Geeta Gandbhir

Co-director of the documentary film 'The Devil Is Busy' and the first Indian woman to receive double Oscar nominations this year.

Christalyn Hampton

Co-director of the documentary film 'The Devil Is Busy'.

Tracii

The head of security at the Atlanta abortion clinic featured in 'The Devil Is Busy'.

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What’s next

The 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien, will reveal the winners on March 15th.

The takeaway

This year's documentary short film nominees tackle a diverse range of poignant and timely subjects, from the enduring trauma of school shootings to the challenges facing reproductive healthcare access. The category consistently delivers impactful and thought-provoking stories, and the upcoming Oscars ceremony is sure to generate further discussion and debate as voters finalize their choices.