Entertainment · Film · 3 hrs ago
Four Oscar-Contending Documentaries Discussed at Hot Springs Festival
Filmmakers behind four documentaries gaining Oscar attention joined a live roundtable at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in Arkansas.
The films are American Doctor, To Hold a Mountain, Closure and Once Upon a Time in Harlem.
The discussion was recorded for Deadline’s Doc Talk podcast, as critics and awards groups begin announcing nominees and shortlists.
To Hold a Mountain co-director Biljana Tutorov discussed why she and her collaborators became, as she put it, “enemies of the state” while making the film in Montenegro.
Closure director Michał Marczak said making the film helped him face grief over his father’s death, while American Doctor filmmaker Poh Si Teng described overcoming a setback with a protagonist.
Once Upon a Time in Harlem producer Liani Greaves discussed making the film with her father from footage shot in 1972, and the episode is available on major podcast platforms.
Filmmakers behind four Oscar-contending documentaries took part in a roundtable at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in Arkansas.
The films discussed were American Doctor, To Hold a Mountain, Closure and Once Upon a Time in Harlem.
The roundtable was held in partnership with Deadline and recorded live for the Deadline Doc Talk podcast.
The filmmakers discussed making their films and the benefits and challenges of being in Oscar contention.
- Who
- Filmmakers Biljana Tutorov, Michał Marczak, Poh Si Teng and Liani Greaves took part.
- What
- They discussed four documentaries gaining traction in the Oscar race.
- When
- The roundtable took place last week, according to the article published on October 20, 2026.
- Where
- The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in Hot Springs, Arkansas, including a live recording at the Arlington Hotel.
- Why
- The festival held its inaugural roundtable of Oscar contenders in partnership with Deadline.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival held its inaugural Oscar-contenders roundtable in partnership with Deadline.
Deadline published the Doc Talk episode featuring the live conversation.
- Films discussed
- American Doctor, To Hold a Mountain, Closure and Once Upon a Time in Harlem
- Festival location
- Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Venue for live recording
- Arlington Hotel
- Partnership
- Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and Deadline
What people are saying
enemies of the state
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