The 98th Academy Awards are gearing up to recognize cinematic achievements, with a significant buzz around the documentary feature film category. A total of 201 features are eligible for consideration, showcasing a remarkably strong presence of music and entertainment documentaries. These films delve into the lives and legacies of iconic figures and pivotal cultural moments, promising a diverse and compelling competition for nominations.

Among the standout music documentaries vying for a spot are those exploring the dedicated fan base of K-Pop sensation BTS, the enduring legacy of Tejano star Selena, the unparalleled journey of rock legends Led Zeppelin, and the powerful artistic and activist partnership of John Lennon & Yoko Ono. Songwriter Diane Warren is also prominently featured in a documentary, which includes her new song "Dear Me." This track could potentially earn the veteran songwriter her 17th Oscar nomination for best original song, adding an intriguing dimension to the awards season.

The longlist further includes captivating films about live experiences that have become cultural touchstones, such as "Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror" and "Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery – The Untold Story." Other music-centric documentaries cover a range of subjects from the irreverent "Billy Idol Should Be Dead" to the poignant story of songwriter Jeff Buckley in "It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley." Janis Ian's journey is chronicled in "Janis Ian: Breaking Silence," while the world of opera is explored in both "14 Short Films about Opera" and "Viva Verdi!," the latter focusing on a retirement home for elderly opera stars. Additional eligible films include "Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted," "One to One: John and Yoko," "Selena y Los Dinos," and "Who in the Hell Is Regina Jones?" which highlights the publisher of Soul newspaper.

Beyond music, the category also features compelling documentaries on various entertainment personalities, including two films about Oscar-winning best actresses: "Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story" about Liza Minnelli, and "Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore." The lives of several deceased entertainment figures are also explored, such as comedians Andy Kaufman ("Thank You Very Much") and Stiller & Meara ("Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost"), 1960s sex symbol Jayne Mansfield ("My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay"), and the beloved ventriloquist and puppeteer Shari Lewis ("Shari & Lamb Chop").

The extensive list continues with documentaries covering legendary figures like Eddie Murphy in "Being Eddie," the comedic duo Cheech & Chong in "Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie," the expansive history of "Chronicles of Disney," and a centennial look at "The New Yorker at 100." This breadth of content ensures a rich tapestry of stories for the Documentary Branch members to consider.

The process for determining the ultimate nominees involves several stages. Members of the Documentary Branch will first cast their votes to establish a shortlist of 15 films. Following this, a final round of voting will determine the five nominees who will compete for the coveted Oscar statue.

In addition to the documentary category, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has also unveiled lists for other key categories. Thirty-five features are eligible in the animated feature film category, while an impressive eighty-six countries or regions have submitted films for consideration in the international feature film category. Key dates for the awards season include the announcement of shortlists in 10 categories on Tuesday, December 16, followed by the full nominations for the 98th Academy Awards on Thursday, January 22. The grand ceremony for the 98th Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, and will be televised live on ABC, celebrating the year's finest cinematic achievements.