Top directors miss out on Oscar doc prospects

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Acclaimed documentaries from Werner Herzog, Errol Morris, Morgan Spurlock and Steve James have missed out on a shot at the Academy Awards.

Herzog’s “Into the Abyss,” Morris’ “Tabloid,” Spurlock’s “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold” and James’ “The Interrupters” did not make the short list of 15 documentaries eligible for the feature-length prize at the Feb. 26 Oscars.

Among the films that made the list, released Friday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, are: Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky’s “Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory”; Wim Wenders’ “Pina”; the Harry Belafonte profile “Sing Your Song”; and “Project Nim,” directed by Oscar winner James Marsh (“Man on Wire”).