Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story swept the ninth Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards, sharing the best documentary feature trophy with Will & Harper and bagging five other awards at the Erich Bergen-hosted event in New York's Edison Ballroom.
Super/Man, chronicling the life of iconic actor Christopher Reeve and his profound advocacy for disability awareness after a life-altering accident, won in all six of its nominated categories. Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, it took home awards for best director, best editing, best score, best archival documentary and best biographical documentary.
Meanwhile, Sugarcane, which led the nominations with a total of eight nods, secured two wins for best political documentary and best true-crime documentary. The Last of the Sea Women, produced in part by Malala Yousafzai, won accolades for best cinematography and best science/nature documentary.
The evening’s highest honorary award, the Pennebaker Award, went to Rory Kennedy, recognising her contributions to documentary film. The award was presented by Chris Hegedus, widow and longtime collaborator of the late documentary filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker.
Here is the full list of winners:
- Best Documentary Feature: Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story AND Will & Harper
- Best Director: Ian Bonhôte & Peter Ettedgui – Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
- Best New Documentary Filmmaker(s): Natalie Rae & Angela Patton – Daughters
- Best Cinematography: Iris Ng, Eunsoo Cho, Justin Turkowski – The Last of the Sea Women
- Best Editing: Otto Burnham – Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
- Best Score: Ilan Eshkeri – Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
- Best Narration: Steve! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces (Apple TV+), Written and performed by Steve Martin
- Best Archival Documentary: Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
- Best Historical Documentary: The Greatest Night in Pop
- Best Biographical Documentary: Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
- Best Music Documentary: Music by John Williams
- Best Political Documentary: Sugarcane
- Best Science/Nature Documentary: The Last of the Sea Women
- Best Sports Documentary: Simone Biles Rising
- Best True Crime Documentary: Sugarcane
- Best Short Documentary: The Only Girl in the Orchestra
- Best Limited Documentary Series: Simone Biles Rising
- Best Ongoing Documentary Series: 30 for 30
