In an exciting turn of events, the Netflix documentary "American Symphony" has made a remarkable impact on the recently announced Oscar shortlists. Produced by Higher Ground, the production company of former President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, the film about Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste has not only secured a spot on the documentary feature shortlist but has also earned recognition in two other categories: Musical Score and Original Song.

Directed by Oscar nominee Matthew Heineman, "American Symphony" chronicles the extraordinary year of Jon Batiste, who achieved a string of Grammy wins. However, amidst his success, Batiste's wife, musician and writer Suleika Jouad, faced a recurrence of cancer and underwent chemotherapy treatment. The documentary sheds light on their journey during this challenging period.

Furthermore, the shortlist for the documentary feature category included 15 films out of an initial pool of 167 eligible entries. Two films garnered double recognition, making the shortlists for both documentary feature and International Feature Film. These films are "Four Daughters," directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, representing Tunisia, and "20 Days in Mariupol," directed by Mstyslav Chernov, representing Ukraine.

However, the announcement also brought disappointment for documentary icons Errol Morris and Frederick Wiseman, as their films were notably left off the documentary feature shortlist. Morris's film, "The Pigeon Tunnel," and Wiseman's "Menus-Plaisirs Les Troisgros" failed to secure a spot, leaving many surprised. Notably, Wiseman, who is turning 94 on January 1, has directed an impressive 44 films throughout his career.

One poignant inclusion on the documentary feature shortlist is the late Nancy Buirski's "Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy." Buirski, who tragically passed away in August at the age of 78, crafted a film that delves into the legacy of the Oscar-winning classic "Midnight Cowboy," starring Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman.

Meanwhile, in the documentary short film category, notable entries include Ben Proudfoot's "The Last Repair Shop," which marks his quest for a third Academy Award nomination in four years, and Sheila Nevins' directorial debut, "The ABCs of Book Banning," at the age of 84. Nevins, a doc legend known for her countless producing credits, remains in the Oscar competition with this engaging short film.

The Oscar shortlists also reflect the diversity of subjects and countries represented. Films exploring topics such as the war in Ukraine, life in North Korea, and the love story of prominent figures in Chile's arts and media were among those that made the cut.

As the competition heats up for the coveted Academy Awards, these shortlisted documentaries have showcased the power of storytelling and the ability of filmmakers to captivate audiences around the world with their unique and thought-provoking narratives.

The final nominations for the 94th Academy Awards will be announced on February 8, 2022, and the ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 27, 2022.