Beyond Utopia

{{Infobox film

| image = Beyond_Utopia_poster.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Madeleine Gavin

| producer = {{Plainlist|

Jana Edelbaum
Rachel Cohen
Sue Mi Terry

}}

| music = {{Plainlist|

Adam Taylor
Taylor Page

}}

| cinematography = Kim Hyun-seok

| studio = {{Plainlist|

Ideal Partners
19340 Productions
XRM Media
Random Good Foundation
Two Chairs Films
Human Rights Foundation

}}

| editing = Madeleine Gavin

| distributor = {{Plainlist|

}}

| released = {{Film date|2023|1|21|Sundance|2023|10|23|United States}}

| runtime = 107 minutes{{Cite web |date=January 3, 2024|title=Beyond Utopia! (15) |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/beyond-utopia-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmde2ndu2|access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=BBFC}}

| language = {{Plainlist|

English
Korean

}}

| country = United States

| budget =

| gross = $52,859{{cite Box Office Mojo|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2510783233/?ref_=bo_we_table_36|title=Beyond Utopia (2023)|access-date=7 January 2024}}

}}

Beyond Utopia is a 2023 American documentary film directed by Madeleine Gavin. Debuted at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, the documentary largely centers around Pastor Seungeun Kim, a South Korean human rights activist and director of the Caleb Mission, which has rescued over 1,000 North Korean defectors since 2000. The film also shows amateur footage from inside the DPRK as well as interviews Hyeonseo Lee and other defectors.

Release

Beyond Utopia debuted at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Beyond Utopia {{!}} Sundance Film Festival |url=https://festivalplayer.sundance.org/sundance-film-festivall-2023-prod/play/6394d141dcfaa000c21a9522 |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=festivalplayer.sundance.org |language=en}} The film was screened at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in the "Documentary Showcase" section on October 8, 2023.{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2023 |title=The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List |url=https://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_all_list.asp?allYear=2023 |access-date=September 12, 2023 |website=Busan International Film Festival |language=en |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915141852/https://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_all_list.asp?allYear=2023 |url-status=dead }} In the United States Roadside Attractions and Fathom Events acquired distribution rights and released the film on a two-day screening on October 23 and October 24, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Morfoot |first=Addie |date=2023-08-28 |title=Sundance Doc ‘Beyond Utopia’ Scores U.S. Theatrical Release From Fathom Events and Roadside Attractions (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/beyond-utopia-theatrical-release-fathom-events-roadside-attractions-sundance-documentary-1235704248/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} Independent Lens acquired broadcast television rights to the film, setting a January 9, 2024, broadcast.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/beyond-utopia-oscar-hopeful-independent-lens-pbs-doc-series-1235815506/|title=Oscar Hopeful ‘Beyond Utopia’ Kicks Off Winter Slate for PBS Doc Series ‘Independent Lens’ (EXCLUSIVE)|website=Variety|first=Addie|last=Morfoot|date=December 5, 2023|access-date=January 7, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://itvs.org/films/beyond-utopia/|title=Beyond Utopia|website=ITVS|access-date=January 7, 2024}}

Reception

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|100||58|consensus=A documentary that feels like a thriller, Beyond Utopia is a gripping—and frightening—glimpse of life under oppression.|access-date=May 23, 2025|ref=y}} {{Metacritic film prose|85|16|ref=yes|access-date=May 23, 2025}}

Writing for /Film, Ben Pearson gave the film a score of 9 out of 10 and found the handheld footage to be "nothing short of extraordinary."{{Cite web |last=Pearson |first=Ben |date=2023-01-25 |title=Beyond Utopia Review: A Jaw-Dropping Documentary About Escape From North Korea [Sundance] |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1177697/beyond-utopia-review-a-jaw-dropping-documentary-about-escape-from-north-korea-sundance/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=/Film |language=en-US}} Variety{{'}}s Owen Gleiberman praised the film for showing audiences the "forgotten" tragedy of North Korea through its use of impressive first-hand camerawork.{{Cite web |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |date=2023-01-24 |title=‘Beyond Utopia’ Review: A Staggering Look at the Nightmare of North Korea, and Some Brave Souls Who Try to Escape It |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/beyond-utopia-review-1235499970/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} In a more mixed review, Daniel Fienberg, writing for The Hollywood Reporter, found the film to have a tension-filled and emotional story while following the defecting families, but derided the inclusion of a "dry and lifeless" history lesson on North Korea that didn't fit alongside the compelling first-hand accounts.{{Cite web |last=Fienberg |first=Daniel |date=2023-01-25 |title=‘Beyond Utopia’ Review: An Uneven but Gripping Doc About North Korean Defectors |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/beyond-utopia-review-1235308760/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

=Accolades=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col" \| Award ! scope="col" \| Date of ceremony ! scope="col" \| Category ! scope="col" \| Recipient(s) ! scope="col" \| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" \| {{Ref heading}}
scope="row" rowspan="2"\| Sundance Film Festival \| rowspan="2"\| 29 January 2023 \| U.S. Documentary Competition: Grand Jury Prize \| rowspan="7"\| Beyond Utopia \| {{nom}} \| align="center" rowspan="2"\| {{Cite journal\|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/sundance-film-festival-winners-2023-1235504487/\|title=Sundance Winners: 'A Thousand and One' Takes U.S. Dramatic Jury Prize (Complete List)\|journal=Variety\|first1=Matt\|last1=Donnelly\|first2=Peter\|last2=Debruge\|date=27 January 2023\|accessdate=27 January 2023}}
U.S. Documentary Competition: Audience Award \| {{won}}
scope="row"\| Sydney Film Festival \| 18 June 2023 \| GIO Audience Award for Best International Documentary \| {{won}} \| align="center"\| {{Cite web \|date=20 June 2023 \|title=The winners of the 70th Sydney Film Festival \|url=https://www.sff.org.au/info/blog/the-winners-of-the-70th-sydney-film-festival/ \|website=Sydney Film Festival \|access-date=4 July 2023 \|archive-date=16 July 2023 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716165903/https://www.sff.org.au/info/blog/the-winners-of-the-70th-sydney-film-festival/ \|url-status=live }}
scope="row"\| Jerusalem Film Festival \| 23 July 2023 \| In Spirit for Freedom Award \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\| {{cite web\|url=https://jff.org.il/en/movie/64824\|title=Beyond Utopia\|website=Jerusalem Film Festival\|accessdate=16 October 2023}}
scope="row" \| Asia Pacific Screen Awards \| 3 November 2023 \| Best Documentary Film \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\| {{cite web\|url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/asia-pacific-screen-awards-ryusuke-hamaguchis-evil-does-not-exist-celine-song-past-lives-1235562416/\|title=Asia Pacific Screen Awards: Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s ‘Evil Does Not Exist’ Leads Nominations & First Round Winners Announced\|website=Deadline\|first=Zac\|last=Ntim\|date=3 October 2023\|accessdate=5 November 2023}}
scope="row" rowspan="4"\| Critics' Choice Documentary Awards \| rowspan="4"\| 12 November 2023 \| Best Documentary Feature \| {{nom}} \| align="center" rowspan="4"\| {{cite web\|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/2023-critics-choice-documentary-nominations-taylor-swift-american-symphony-1235757324/\|title=Critics Choice Documentary Awards: ‘American Symphony’ Leads Nominations, Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ Lands Nod After Record-Setting Weekend\|website=Variety\|first=Clayton\|last=Davis\|date=October 16, 2023\|accessdate=October 16, 2023}}
Best Political Documentary \| {{nom}}
Best Director \| rowspan="2"\| Madeleine Gavin \| {{nom}}
Best Editing \| {{nom}}
scope="row"\| IndieWire Critics Poll \| 11 December 2023 \| Best Documentary \| rowspan="14"\| Beyond Utopia \| {{draw\|7th Place}} \| align="center"\|{{Cite web \|last=Blauvelt \|first=Christian \|date=December 11, 2023 \|title=2023 Critics Poll: The Best Films and Performances, According to 158 Critics from Around the World \|url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/best-of/best-movies-2023-critics-survey-poll-performances-1234933605/ \|access-date=December 11, 2023 \|website=IndieWire \|language=en-US \|archive-date=December 21, 2023 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221140607/https://www.indiewire.com/features/best-of/best-movies-2023-critics-survey-poll-performances-1234933605/ \|url-status=live }}
scope="row"\| Chicago Film Critics Association Awards \| 12 December 2023 \| Best Documentary Film \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\|{{Cite web \|last=Tallerico \|first=Brian \|date=December 8, 2023 \|title=Killers of the Flower Moon, Oppenheimer, Poor Things Lead CFCA Nominations \|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/festivals/killers-of-the-flower-moon-oppenheimer-poor-things-lead-cfca-nominations \|access-date=December 8, 2023 \|website=RogerEbert.com \|language=en}}
scope="row"\| Las Vegas Film Critics Society \| 13 December 2023 \| Best Documentary \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\|{{Cite web \|last=Neglia \|first=Matt \|date=December 13, 2023 \|title=The 2023 Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS) Winners \|url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-las-vegas-film-critics-society-lvfcs-winners/ \|access-date=January 21, 2024 \|website=Next Best Picture \|language=en-US}}
scope="row"\| St. Louis Film Critics Association \| 17 December 2023 \| Best Documentary Film \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\| {{cite web \|last1=Anderson \|first1=Eric \|title=2023 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Nominations \|url=https://awardswatch.com/2023-st-louis-film-critics-association-stlfca-nominations/ \|website=awardswatch.com \|publisher=AwardsWatch \|access-date=11 December 2023}}
scope="row"\| Indiana Film Journalists Association \| 17 December 2023 \| Best Documentary \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\|{{Cite web \|last=Rogers \|first=Nick \|date=December 12, 2023 \|title=Nominations Announced for the 2023 Indiana Film Journalists Association Awards \|url=https://midwestfilmjournal.com/2023/12/12/nominations-announced-for-the-2023-indiana-film-journalists-association-awards/ \|access-date=January 21, 2024 \|website=Midwest Film Journal \|language=en-US}} {{Cite web \|last=Neglia \|first=Matt \|date=December 17, 2023 \|title=The 2023 Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) Winners \|url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-indiana-film-journalists-association-ifja-winners/ \|access-date=January 21, 2024 \|website=Next Best Picture \|language=en-US}}
scope="row"\| North Texas Film Critics Association \| 18 December 2023 \| Best Documentary Film \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\|{{Cite web \|last=Neglia \|first=Matt \|date=December 18, 2023 \|title=The 2023 North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) Winners \|url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-north-texas-film-critics-association-ntfca-winners/ \|access-date=January 21, 2024 \|website=Next Best Picture \|language=en-US}}
scope="row" rowspan="1"\| Women Film Critics Circle Awards \| rowspan="1"\| 18 December 2023 \| Best Documentary by or About Women \| {{nom}} \| rowspan="1" align="center"\|{{Cite web \|last=Anderson \|first=Erik \|date=December 18, 2023 \|title=Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC): Barbie, Nyad, Killers of the Flower Moon, Past Lives Win Big \|url=https://awardswatch.com/women-film-critics-circle-wfcc-barbie-nyad-killers-of-the-flower-moon-past-lives-win-big/ \|access-date=December 18, 2023 \|website=AwardsWatch \|language=en-US}}
scope="row"\| Alliance of Women Film Journalists \| 3 January 2024 \| Best Documentary \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\|{{Cite web \|last=Merin \|first=Jennifer \|date=December 22, 2023 \|title=2023 EDA Awards Nominees \|url=https://awfj.org/2023-eda-awards-nominees/ \|access-date=December 23, 2023 \|website=Alliance of Women Film Journalists \|language=en-US}}
scope="row"\| Georgia Film Critics Association Awards \| 5 January 2024 \| Best Documentary Film \| {{runner-up}} \| align="center"\|{{Cite web \|last=Neglia \|first=Matt \|date=December 29, 2023 \|title=The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Nominations \|url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-georgia-film-critics-association-gafca-nominations/ \|access-date=December 30, 2023 \|website=Next Best Picture \|language=en-US}} {{Cite web \|last=Neglia \|first=Matt \|date=January 5, 2024 \|title=The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Winners \|url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-georgia-film-critics-association-gafca-winners/ \|access-date=January 5, 2024 \|website=Next Best Picture \|language=en-US}}
scope="row"\| Astra Film and Creative Arts Awards \| 6 January 2024 \| Best Documentary Feature \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\| {{cite web \|url=https://awardswatch.com/barbie-and-oppenheimer-lead-hollywood-creative-alliance-hca-astra-awards-nominations/ \|title='Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' Lead Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) Astra Awards Nominations \|first=Erik \|last=Anderson \|publisher=AwardsWatch \|date=December 7, 2023 \|access-date=December 8, 2023}}
scope="row"\| Seattle Film Critics Society Awards \| 8 January 2024 \| Best Documentary Feature \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\|{{Cite web \|last=Neglia \|first=Matt \|date=January 3, 2024 \|title=The 2023 Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) Nominations \|url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-seattle-film-critics-society-sfcs-nominations/ \|access-date=January 3, 2024 \|website=Next Best Picture \|language=en-US}}
scope="row"\| San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Awards \| 9 January 2024 \| Best Documentary Film \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\|{{Cite web \|last=Neglia \|first=Matt \|date=January 5, 2024 \|title=The 2023 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) Nominations \|url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-san-francisco-bay-area-film-critics-circle-sfbafcc-nominations/ \|access-date=January 5, 2024 \|website=Next Best Picture \|language=en-US}}
scope="row"\| Austin Film Critics Association Awards \| 10 January 2024 \| Best Documentary \| {{nom}} \| rowspan="1" align="center"\|{{Cite web \|last=Neglia \|first=Matt \|date=January 3, 2024 \|title=The 2023 Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) Nominations \|url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-austin-film-critics-association-afca-nominations/ \|access-date=January 3, 2024 \|website=Next Best Picture \|language=en-US}}
scope="row" rowspan="2"\| Cinema Eye Honors \| rowspan="2"\| 12 January 2024 \| Audience Choice Prize \| {{nom}} \| align="center" rowspan="2"\| {{cite web\|url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/2024-cinema-eye-honors-announces-first-round-of-documentary-nominations-1235578587/\|title=‘The 1619 Project,’ ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ Lead Charge As Cinema Eye Honors Announces First Round Of Documentary Nominations [Full List]\|website=Deadline\|first=Matthew\|last=Carey\|date=October 19, 2023\|accessdate=November 17, 2023}}
Outstanding Production \| Jana Edelbaum, Rachel Cohen and Sue Mi Terry \| {{nom}}
scope="row"\| Denver Film Critics Society \| 12 January 2024 \| Best Documentary Feature \| rowspan="2"\| Beyond Utopia \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\|{{Cite web \|last=Neglia \|first=Matt \|date=January 12, 2024 \|title=The 2023 Denver Film Critics Society (DFCS) Winners \|url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-denver-film-critics-society-dfcs-winners/ \|website=Next Best Picture \|access-date=January 21, 2024}}
scope="row"\| Houston Film Critics Society \| 22 January 2024 \| Best Documentary Feature \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\|{{Cite news \|last=Darling \|first=Cary \|date=January 9, 2024 \|title=Barbie, Oppenheimer lead Houston Film Critics Society's nominations \|url=https://houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/movies_tv/article/houston-film-critics-society-awards-18594525.php \|access-date=January 9, 2024 \|work=Houston Chronicle \|language=en \|archive-date=January 9, 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109175233/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/movies_tv/article/houston-film-critics-society-awards-18594525.php \|url-status=live }} {{Cite news \|last=Darling \|first=Cary \|date=January 22, 2024 \|title=Houston Film Critics Society names Poor Things the best film of 2023 \|url=https://houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/movies_tv/article/houston-film-critics-society-poor-things-18621412.php \|access-date=January 22, 2024 \|work=Houston Chronicle \|archive-date=January 22, 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122230101/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/movies_tv/article/houston-film-critics-society-poor-things-18621412.php \|url-status=dead }}
scope="row"\| Directors Guild of America Awards \| 10 February 2024 \| Outstanding Directing – Documentary \| Madeleine Gavin \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\|{{Cite news \|last=Buchanan \|first=Kyle \|date=January 10, 2024 \|title=Christopher Nolan Continues Momentum with Directors Guild Nomination \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/10/movies/directors-guild-awards-christopher-nolan.html \|url-status=live \|access-date=January 10, 2024 \|work=The New York Times \|issn=1553-8095 \|archive-date=January 10, 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110200203/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/10/movies/directors-guild-awards-christopher-nolan.html }}
scope="row"\| Producers Guild of America Awards \| 25 February 2024 \| Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures \| Beyond Utopia \| {{Nominated}} \| align="center"\|{{Cite web \|last=Bergeson \|first=Samantha \|date=January 12, 2024 \|title=PGA Awards 2024 Nominations: Maestro, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Past Lives Among Contenders \|url=https://www.indiewire.com/awards/results/pga-awards-2024-nominations-1234943176/ \|access-date=January 12, 2024 \|website=IndieWire \|language=en-US \|archive-date=January 12, 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112185857/https://www.indiewire.com/awards/results/pga-awards-2024-nominations-1234943176/ \|url-status=live }}
scope="row"\| Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards \| 7–8 September 2024 \| Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking \| Lois Vossen, Jana Edelbaum, Rachel Cohen, Sue Mi Terry, Madeleine Gavin \| {{nom}} \| align="center"\|{{cite web \|url=https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/76thnominations-list-v2.pdf \|title=2024 Primetime Emmy Awards – Nomination Press Release \|publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences \|access-date=July 17, 2024}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

! scope="col" | Award

! scope="col" | Date of ceremony

! scope="col" | Category

! scope="col" | Recipient(s)

! scope="col" | Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Ref heading}}

scope="row" rowspan="2"| Sundance Film Festival

| rowspan="2"| 29 January 2023

| U.S. Documentary Competition: Grand Jury Prize

| rowspan="7"| Beyond Utopia

| {{nom}}

| align="center" rowspan="2"| {{Cite journal|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/sundance-film-festival-winners-2023-1235504487/|title=Sundance Winners: 'A Thousand and One' Takes U.S. Dramatic Jury Prize (Complete List)|journal=Variety|first1=Matt|last1=Donnelly|first2=Peter|last2=Debruge|date=27 January 2023|accessdate=27 January 2023}}

U.S. Documentary Competition: Audience Award

| {{won}}

scope="row"| Sydney Film Festival

| 18 June 2023

| GIO Audience Award for Best International Documentary

| {{won}}

| align="center"| {{Cite web |date=20 June 2023 |title=The winners of the 70th Sydney Film Festival |url=https://www.sff.org.au/info/blog/the-winners-of-the-70th-sydney-film-festival/ |website=Sydney Film Festival |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716165903/https://www.sff.org.au/info/blog/the-winners-of-the-70th-sydney-film-festival/ |url-status=live }}

scope="row"| Jerusalem Film Festival

| 23 July 2023

| In Spirit for Freedom Award

| {{nom}}

| align="center"| {{cite web|url=https://jff.org.il/en/movie/64824|title=Beyond Utopia|website=Jerusalem Film Festival|accessdate=16 October 2023}}

scope="row" | Asia Pacific Screen Awards

| 3 November 2023

| Best Documentary Film

| {{nom}}

| align="center"| {{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/asia-pacific-screen-awards-ryusuke-hamaguchis-evil-does-not-exist-celine-song-past-lives-1235562416/|title=Asia Pacific Screen Awards: Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s ‘Evil Does Not Exist’ Leads Nominations & First Round Winners Announced|website=Deadline|first=Zac|last=Ntim|date=3 October 2023|accessdate=5 November 2023}}

scope="row" rowspan="4"| Critics' Choice Documentary Awards

| rowspan="4"| 12 November 2023

| Best Documentary Feature

| {{nom}}

| align="center" rowspan="4"| {{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/2023-critics-choice-documentary-nominations-taylor-swift-american-symphony-1235757324/|title=Critics Choice Documentary Awards: ‘American Symphony’ Leads Nominations, Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ Lands Nod After Record-Setting Weekend|website=Variety|first=Clayton|last=Davis|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=October 16, 2023}}

Best Political Documentary

| {{nom}}

Best Director

| rowspan="2"| Madeleine Gavin

| {{nom}}

Best Editing

| {{nom}}

scope="row"| IndieWire Critics Poll

| 11 December 2023

| Best Documentary

| rowspan="14"| Beyond Utopia

| {{draw|7th Place}}

| align="center"|{{Cite web |last=Blauvelt |first=Christian |date=December 11, 2023 |title=2023 Critics Poll: The Best Films and Performances, According to 158 Critics from Around the World |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/best-of/best-movies-2023-critics-survey-poll-performances-1234933605/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221140607/https://www.indiewire.com/features/best-of/best-movies-2023-critics-survey-poll-performances-1234933605/ |url-status=live }}

scope="row"| Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

| 12 December 2023

| Best Documentary Film

| {{nom}}

| align="center"|{{Cite web |last=Tallerico |first=Brian |date=December 8, 2023 |title=Killers of the Flower Moon, Oppenheimer, Poor Things Lead CFCA Nominations |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/festivals/killers-of-the-flower-moon-oppenheimer-poor-things-lead-cfca-nominations |access-date=December 8, 2023 |website=RogerEbert.com |language=en}}

scope="row"| Las Vegas Film Critics Society

| 13 December 2023

| Best Documentary

| {{nom}}

| align="center"|{{Cite web |last=Neglia |first=Matt |date=December 13, 2023 |title=The 2023 Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS) Winners |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-las-vegas-film-critics-society-lvfcs-winners/ |access-date=January 21, 2024 |website=Next Best Picture |language=en-US}}

scope="row"| St. Louis Film Critics Association

| 17 December 2023

| Best Documentary Film

| {{nom}}

| align="center"| {{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Eric |title=2023 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Nominations |url=https://awardswatch.com/2023-st-louis-film-critics-association-stlfca-nominations/ |website=awardswatch.com |publisher=AwardsWatch |access-date=11 December 2023}}

scope="row"| Indiana Film Journalists Association

| 17 December 2023

| Best Documentary

| {{nom}}

| align="center"|{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Nick |date=December 12, 2023 |title=Nominations Announced for the 2023 Indiana Film Journalists Association Awards |url=https://midwestfilmjournal.com/2023/12/12/nominations-announced-for-the-2023-indiana-film-journalists-association-awards/ |access-date=January 21, 2024 |website=Midwest Film Journal |language=en-US}}
{{Cite web |last=Neglia |first=Matt |date=December 17, 2023 |title=The 2023 Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) Winners |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-indiana-film-journalists-association-ifja-winners/ |access-date=January 21, 2024 |website=Next Best Picture |language=en-US}}

scope="row"| North Texas Film Critics Association

| 18 December 2023

| Best Documentary Film

| {{nom}}

| align="center"|{{Cite web |last=Neglia |first=Matt |date=December 18, 2023 |title=The 2023 North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) Winners |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-north-texas-film-critics-association-ntfca-winners/ |access-date=January 21, 2024 |website=Next Best Picture |language=en-US}}

scope="row" rowspan="1"| Women Film Critics Circle Awards

| rowspan="1"| 18 December 2023

| Best Documentary by or About Women

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="1" align="center"|{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Erik |date=December 18, 2023 |title=Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC): Barbie, Nyad, Killers of the Flower Moon, Past Lives Win Big |url=https://awardswatch.com/women-film-critics-circle-wfcc-barbie-nyad-killers-of-the-flower-moon-past-lives-win-big/ |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=AwardsWatch |language=en-US}}

scope="row"| Alliance of Women Film Journalists

| 3 January 2024

| Best Documentary

| {{nom}}

| align="center"|{{Cite web |last=Merin |first=Jennifer |date=December 22, 2023 |title=2023 EDA Awards Nominees |url=https://awfj.org/2023-eda-awards-nominees/ |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=Alliance of Women Film Journalists |language=en-US}}

scope="row"| Georgia Film Critics Association Awards

| 5 January 2024

| Best Documentary Film

| {{runner-up}}

| align="center"|{{Cite web |last=Neglia |first=Matt |date=December 29, 2023 |title=The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Nominations |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-georgia-film-critics-association-gafca-nominations/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |website=Next Best Picture |language=en-US}}
{{Cite web |last=Neglia |first=Matt |date=January 5, 2024 |title=The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Winners |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-georgia-film-critics-association-gafca-winners/ |access-date=January 5, 2024 |website=Next Best Picture |language=en-US}}

scope="row"| Astra Film and Creative Arts Awards

| 6 January 2024

| Best Documentary Feature

| {{nom}}

| align="center"| {{cite web |url=https://awardswatch.com/barbie-and-oppenheimer-lead-hollywood-creative-alliance-hca-astra-awards-nominations/ |title='Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' Lead Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) Astra Awards Nominations |first=Erik |last=Anderson |publisher=AwardsWatch |date=December 7, 2023 |access-date=December 8, 2023}}

scope="row"| Seattle Film Critics Society Awards

| 8 January 2024

| Best Documentary Feature

| {{nom}}

| align="center"|{{Cite web |last=Neglia |first=Matt |date=January 3, 2024 |title=The 2023 Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) Nominations |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-seattle-film-critics-society-sfcs-nominations/ |access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=Next Best Picture |language=en-US}}

scope="row"| San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Awards

| 9 January 2024

| Best Documentary Film

| {{nom}}

| align="center"|{{Cite web |last=Neglia |first=Matt |date=January 5, 2024 |title=The 2023 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) Nominations |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-san-francisco-bay-area-film-critics-circle-sfbafcc-nominations/ |access-date=January 5, 2024 |website=Next Best Picture |language=en-US}}

scope="row"| Austin Film Critics Association Awards

| 10 January 2024

| Best Documentary

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="1" align="center"|{{Cite web |last=Neglia |first=Matt |date=January 3, 2024 |title=The 2023 Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) Nominations |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-austin-film-critics-association-afca-nominations/ |access-date=January 3, 2024 |website=Next Best Picture |language=en-US}}

scope="row" rowspan="2"| Cinema Eye Honors

| rowspan="2"| 12 January 2024

| Audience Choice Prize

| {{nom}}

| align="center" rowspan="2"| {{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/2024-cinema-eye-honors-announces-first-round-of-documentary-nominations-1235578587/|title=‘The 1619 Project,’ ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ Lead Charge As Cinema Eye Honors Announces First Round Of Documentary Nominations [Full List]|website=Deadline|first=Matthew|last=Carey|date=October 19, 2023|accessdate=November 17, 2023}}

Outstanding Production

| Jana Edelbaum, Rachel Cohen and Sue Mi Terry

| {{nom}}

scope="row"| Denver Film Critics Society

| 12 January 2024

| Best Documentary Feature

| rowspan="2"| Beyond Utopia

| {{nom}}

| align="center"|{{Cite web |last=Neglia |first=Matt |date=January 12, 2024 |title=The 2023 Denver Film Critics Society (DFCS) Winners |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2023-denver-film-critics-society-dfcs-winners/ |website=Next Best Picture |access-date=January 21, 2024}}

scope="row"| Houston Film Critics Society

| 22 January 2024

| Best Documentary Feature

| {{nom}}

| align="center"|{{Cite news |last=Darling |first=Cary |date=January 9, 2024 |title=Barbie, Oppenheimer lead Houston Film Critics Society's nominations |url=https://houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/movies_tv/article/houston-film-critics-society-awards-18594525.php |access-date=January 9, 2024 |work=Houston Chronicle |language=en |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109175233/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/movies_tv/article/houston-film-critics-society-awards-18594525.php |url-status=live }}
{{Cite news |last=Darling |first=Cary |date=January 22, 2024 |title=Houston Film Critics Society names Poor Things the best film of 2023 |url=https://houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/movies_tv/article/houston-film-critics-society-poor-things-18621412.php |access-date=January 22, 2024 |work=Houston Chronicle |archive-date=January 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122230101/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/movies_tv/article/houston-film-critics-society-poor-things-18621412.php |url-status=dead }}

scope="row"| Directors Guild of America Awards

| 10 February 2024

| Outstanding Directing – Documentary

| Madeleine Gavin

| {{nom}}

| align="center"|{{Cite news |last=Buchanan |first=Kyle |date=January 10, 2024 |title=Christopher Nolan Continues Momentum with Directors Guild Nomination |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/10/movies/directors-guild-awards-christopher-nolan.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095 |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110200203/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/10/movies/directors-guild-awards-christopher-nolan.html }}

scope="row"| Producers Guild of America Awards

| 25 February 2024

| Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures

| Beyond Utopia

| {{Nominated}}

| align="center"|{{Cite web |last=Bergeson |first=Samantha |date=January 12, 2024 |title=PGA Awards 2024 Nominations: Maestro, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Past Lives Among Contenders |url=https://www.indiewire.com/awards/results/pga-awards-2024-nominations-1234943176/ |access-date=January 12, 2024 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112185857/https://www.indiewire.com/awards/results/pga-awards-2024-nominations-1234943176/ |url-status=live }}

scope="row"| Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards

| 7–8 September 2024

| Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking

| Lois Vossen, Jana Edelbaum, Rachel Cohen, Sue Mi Terry, Madeleine Gavin

| {{nom}}

| align="center"|{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/76thnominations-list-v2.pdf |title=2024 Primetime Emmy Awards – Nomination Press Release |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=July 17, 2024}}

References

External links

{{Official website}}
{{IMDb title}}

Category:2023 documentary films

Category:2023 films

Category:American documentary films

Category:Documentary films about North Korea

Category:Documentary films about refugees

Category:Films about North Korean defectors

Category:Films scored by Adam Taylor

Category:Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award winners