For a variety of legitimate reasons, the documentary industry believes we’ve entered into a post-boon theatrical swoon.

I can’t speak to the behind-the-scenes financial conditions, but there seems to be a corresponding notion that 2023 had a dearth of quality documentaries.

Which is bullshit, at least from my front-facing perspective as a mere audience member; even the 15-title shortlist doesn’t encompass all of the documentary riches from the year that was.

So here are my 10 favorites nowhere to be found on the shortlist:

1. Occupied City
2. Menus-Plaisirs — Les Troisgros
3. Alexandre O. Philippe’s Lynch/Oz & Alexandre O. Philippe’s The Taking
4. Mister Organ
5. Nuclear Now
6. The Pigeon Tunnel 
7. The Storms of Jeremy Thomas
8. Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis) 
9. Wham!
10. Close to Vermeer 

And two honorable mentions, because they must be mentioned in any discussion of 2023 documentaries:

• Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour 
• Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé