Paramount Plus has begun streaming MTV Documentary Films' 'Sabaya' and 'Ascension', both of which are in contention for Oscar nominations. The documentaries became available on the platform from 10 a.m. PT today, as MTV ramps up its awards campaign.
'Sabaya', directed by Hogir Hirori, won the Sundance directing award in the World Cinema Documentary category. It focuses on the sexual exploitation of Yazidi women. 'Ascension', directed by Jessica Kingdon, offers an observational portrait of China's economic growth and the class divides it has exposed. The film won best documentary and best new documentary filmmaker at Tribeca.
Both films are executive produced by Sheila Nevins, who heads MTV Documentary Films. She acquired 'Sabaya' after its Sundance premiere in January and 'Ascension' after its Tribeca premiere in June. The streaming debut comes weeks before the Academy's documentary branch votes on the 2022 Oscar shortlist.
Additionally, four documentary shorts and one animated short, all executive produced by Nevins, will debut on Paramount Plus on November 22. These include 'R.I.P. T-Shirts' about gun violence, 'Bree Wayy: Promise Witness Remembrance' about the art world's response to Breonna Taylor's death, 'Lynching Postcards: 'Token of a Great Day'' about lynching history, 'Coded: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker' about LGBTQ representation in advertising, and 'The Musician', an animated short about lovers separated during a Mongol attack. All five shorts have qualified for Oscar consideration.
