The Elizabeth Holmes documentary You Can See Everything emerged as the big winner at the 11th Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards, scoring five wins, including Best Documentary Feature. The critically acclaimed doc won in every category it was nominated in, followed by Once Upon a Time in Harlem with three wins.
Ross Mathews hosted this year’s awards ceremony held on November 8, 2026 in New York City. In addition to the competitive categories, honorary awards were presented to Ron Howard (Critics Choice Impact Award) and Jehane Noujaim (Pennebaker Award).
“This year’s winners reflect the extraordinary creativity, ambition, and innovation shaping documentary filmmaking today,” stated Christopher Campbell, Vice President of Documentary at the Critics Choice Association. “From bold new storytelling approaches that have expanded the reach of nonfiction films and brought new audiences to the genre, to filmmakers who tackle pressing political and social issues, to those who return to compelling stories to explore them in greater depth, this year’s nominees demonstrate the limitless possibilities of the documentary form. We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable talent and diverse perspectives that continue to shape the exciting future of documentary filmmaking.”
2026 ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE DOCUMENTARY AWARDS WINNERS:
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
You Can See Everything (A24)
BEST DIRECTOR
Nathan Fielder & Lance Oppenheim – You Can See Everything (A24)
BEST FIRST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
David Greaves – Once Upon a Time in Harlem (Neon)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
David Bolen – You Can See Everything (A24)
BEST EDITING
Adam Locke-Norton – You Can See Everything (A24)
BEST NARRATION
The History of Concrete (Magnolia Pictures)
Written and Performed by John Wilson
BEST SCORE
Ari Balouzian – You Can See Everything (A24)
BEST MUSIC DOCUMENTARY
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert (Neon)
BEST POLITICAL DOCUMENTARY
NAZA (Neon)
BEST HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY
Once Upon a Time in Harlem (Neon)
BEST BIOGRAPHICAL DOCUMENTARY
Musk (Bleecker Street)
BEST ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTARY
Once Upon a Time in Harlem (Neon)
BEST SCIENCE/NATURE DOCUMENTARY
Nuisance Bear (Mubi)
BEST SPORTS DOCUMENTARY
Everest: The Other Side (National Geographic Documentary Films)
BEST TRUE CRIME DOCUMENTARY (TIE)
The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare (Netflix)
Lost Women of Alaska (Investigation Discovery)
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
The Baddest Speechwriter of All (Netflix)
BEST LIMITED DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Lion (National Geographic)
BEST ONGOING DOCUMENTARY SERIES
30 for 30 (ESPN)
