Best in Show: Documentary shortlist special with Jon Batiste, Maciek Hamela, listener mailbag questions and award cats!

This week, the Best in Show crew dives deep into two documentaries that just made the 96th Academy Awards shortlist. After answering some mailbag questions about pesky release dates and Oscars eligiblity rules, London Editor Ella Kemp swoops in to take us in front of the camera with Jon Batiste—the composer and subject at the center of American Symphony—then Gemma goes behind the camera with Maciek Hamela, director of In the Rearview, which chronicles the immediate refugee crisis created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Plus, Mia discovers the cat-centric Chlotrudis Awards, leading to her and Brian’s creating a new awards body for film and feline fans.

Chapters:

• Opening credits (00:00:00)
• Oscar shortlist reckons (00:01:51)
• Listener mailbag (00:09:59)
• American Symphony thoughts (22:51)
• Jon Batiste interview (00:27:33)
• Maciek Hamela interview (00:44:29)
• Winner Winner Chicken Run Dinner (00:53:08)
• Closing credits (01:04:53)

Credits: Recorded in Los Angeles, Auckland, London, and Toronto. Edited by Slim, production manager Sophie Shin, editorial producer Brian Formo. Theme: ‘Hyperlight’ by Letterboxd member Trent Walton (AKA Echo Wolf). Artwork by Danny Haas. Best in Show is a TAPEDECK production. Title courtesy of Christopher Guest.

Lists & Links: List of movies mentioned, Best in Show’s HQ Page, Sydney’s Society of Snow review