79 Documentary Films Trivia Questions with Answers
79 public questions with answers, drawn from the well. How many can you answer?
Documentary films trivia covers nonfiction cinema, from investigative journalism and social issues to unusual real-life personalities and competitive subcultures. Questions include Ken Burns’s account of the Central Park Five, James Marsh’s story of Nim Chimpsky, Michael Moore’s Cannes-winning film, and documentaries about a missing Texas boy and Donkey Kong players.
This category suits film buffs, classroom discussions, pub quizzes, and movie-night competitions. It also reaches acclaimed Oscar winners and nominees, including the film about children of prostitutes in Kolkata and the documentary set at a Christian summer camp in North Dakota. Expect questions about directors, subjects, awards, release years, and the real events that inspired each film.
Which 2004 documentary by Michael Moore won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival?
Answer
Fahrenheit 9/11
Which 2003 documentary about the Friedman family was nominated for an Academy Award?
Answer
Capturing the Friedmans
Which 2015 documentary follows vigilantes fighting drug cartels in Mexico?
Answer
Cartel Land
Which 1990 Ken Burns documentary series covers the American Civil War?
Answer
The Civil War
Which 2006 documentary about climate change starring Al Gore won an Oscar?
Answer
An Inconvenient Truth
Which 2003 documentary investigates the child pornography allegations against the Friedman family of Great Neck?
Answer
Capturing the Friedmans
Which 1990 documentary explores the New York City drag ball culture of the 1980s?
Answer
Paris Is Burning
Which 2022 documentary about two brothers rescuing birds in Delhi is titled?
Answer
All That Breathes
Which 2022 documentary follows volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft?
Answer
Fire of Love
Which 2023 documentary about the Russian siege of Mariupol won the 2024 Oscar?
Answer
20 Days in Mariupol
Which 2018 documentary reveals the story of triplets separated at birth and their reunion?
Answer
Three Identical Strangers
Which 2016 documentary based on James Baldwin's unfinished manuscript is narrated by Samuel L. Jackson?
Answer
I Am Not Your Negro
Which 2011 documentary profiles sushi master Jiro Ono and his Michelin-starred restaurant?
Answer
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Which 2020 Netflix documentary explores the impact of social media algorithms and addiction?
Answer
The Social Dilemma
Which 2018 documentary by Peter Jackson uses restored WWI footage to immerse viewers?
Answer
They Shall Not Grow Old
Which 2018 documentary directed by Morgan Neville focuses on the life of Fred Rogers?
Answer
Won't You Be My Neighbor?
What 2004 documentary about the band Metallica's recording process is titled 'Some Kind of Monster'?
Answer
Some Kind of Monster
What 2007 documentary about detainee abuse in Afghanistan won the Oscar?
Answer
Taxi to the Dark Side
What 1999 documentary about the Munich Olympics massacre won the Oscar?
Answer
One Day in September
What 2014 companion documentary to The Act of Killing focuses on survivors?
Answer
The Look of Silence
What 2012 documentary about Indonesian death squad leaders is titled 'The Act of Killing'?
Answer
The Act of Killing
What 2008 animated documentary about the 1982 Lebanon War was directed by Ari Folman?
Answer
Waltz with Bashir
What 2021 documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival won the Oscar?
Answer
Summer of Soul
What 2020 documentary about a common octopus won the Oscar?
Answer
My Octopus Teacher
What 2013 documentary about backup singers won the Oscar?
Answer
20 Feet from Stardom
What 2012 documentary about the musician Rodriguez is titled 'Searching for Sugar Man'?
Answer
Searching for Sugar Man
What 2002 documentary by Michael Moore about gun violence won the Academy Award?
Answer
Bowling for Columbine
Documentary Films trivia — quick answers
What are good documentary films trivia questions?
Good documentary trivia questions ask about directors, subjects, awards, release years, and real events. Useful topics include the Central Park jogger case, Nim Chimpsky, the Friedman family, the Donkey Kong gaming record, children in Kolkata, and the 2004 Palme d’Or winner.
How hard is documentary films trivia?
Documentary films trivia is usually moderate to difficult because it spans many subjects and directors. Film fans may recognize major awards and acclaimed titles, while questions about a documentary’s central character, real-life case, or exact release year often demand more detailed viewing knowledge.
Which documentary examines the Central Park jogger case?
Ken Burns’s 2012 documentary “The Central Park Five” examines the wrongful convictions of five teenagers in the 1989 Central Park jogger case. The film explores the investigation, prosecution, media coverage, and later developments surrounding the case.
What documentary tells the story of Nim Chimpsky?
“Project Nim,” directed by James Marsh and released in 2011, follows Nim Chimpsky, a chimpanzee raised in a human environment as part of an attempt to study language acquisition. The documentary examines the experiment, its participants, and the ethical questions surrounding it.
Which Michael Moore documentary won the Palme d’Or?
Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” won the Palme d’Or at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. The documentary is a political examination of the George W. Bush administration, the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, and the Iraq War.
Which documentary won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature about children in Kolkata?
“Born into Brothels,” released in 2004 and directed by Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman, follows children living in Kolkata’s red-light district. The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and focuses partly on photography workshops offered to the children.