A warning about the conventional U.S. food system, a surreptitiously filmed exposé of the Japanese dolphin hunt and a portrait of courageous Burmese video journalists risking jail and torture are among the documentaries that are one step closer to the Academy Awards.

The U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released its list of semi-finalists for the documentary category on Wednesday, with the high-profile features Burma VJ, The Cove and Food, Inc. among the chosen 15.

The other contenders are:

  • The Beaches of Agnes
  • Every Little Step
  • Facing Ali
  • Garbage Dreams
  • Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders
  • The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
  • Mugabe and the White African
  • Sergio
  • Soundtrack for a Revolution
  • Under Our Skin
  • Valentino the Last Emperor
  • Which Way Home

A host of prominent entries didn't make the cut, including Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story, the Mike Tyson portrait Tyson, the rock and electric guitar documentary It Might Get Loud and The September Issue, a peek behind the scenes at the making of Vogue magazine's top-rated and influential September instalment.

The academy will pare the titles down to a shortlist of five films that will be announced with the other Oscar nominees on Feb. 2.

In their continuing quest to liven up the Oscar telecast, organizers also announced on Wednesday their choice of Briton Hamish Hamilton — who has helmed live-event programs for MTV as well as the televised version of the Victoria's Secret fashion show — to direct the Oscar broadcast.

Earlier this month, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were tapped as co-hosts for the gala, which will feature an expanded list of 10 best picture nominees.

The 82nd Academy Awards will take place March 7 at Hollywood's Kodak Theater.

With files from The Associated Press