The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
- “Amy,” On the Corner Films and Universal Music
- “Best of Enemies,” Sandbar
- “Cartel Land,” Our Time Projects and The Documentary Group
- “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief,” Jigsaw Productions
- “He Named Me Malala,” Parkes-MacDonald and Little Room
- “Heart of a Dog,” Canal Street Communications
- “The Hunting Ground,” Chain Camera Pictures
- “Listen to Me Marlon,” Passion Pictures
- “The Look of Silence,” Final Cut for Real
- “Meru,” Little Monster Films
- “3 1/2 Minutes, 10 Bullets,” The Filmmaker Fund, Motto Pictures, Lakehouse Films, Actual Films, JustFilms, MacArthur Foundation and Bertha BRITDOC
- “We Come as Friends,” Adelante Films
- “What Happened, Miss Simone?,” RadicalMedia and Moxie Firecracker
- “Where to Invade Next,” Dog Eat Dog Productions
- “Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom,” Pray for Ukraine Productions
The Academy’s Documentary Branch determined the shortlist in a preliminary round of voting. Documentary Branch members will now select the five nominees from among the 15 titles. The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 14, 2016. The 88th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016.