<div><p>Films about subjects as varied as dolphin-hunting and high fashion are among documentaries hoping to be nominated for an Oscar, according to a shortlist released Wednesday.</p><p>The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said the final five films nominated for the coveted best documentary statuette at next year's Oscars would be chosen from a shortlist of 15 films.</p><p>The list includes critically acclaimed and controversial environmental thriller "The Cove", which chronicles the annual slaughter of dolphins in the Japanese coastal town of Taiji.</p><p>Other nominees include "Valentino: The Last Emperor," director Matt Tyrnauer's portrait of haute couture icon Valentino Garavani and "The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers," about Vietnam War-era whistleblower Ellsberg.</p><p>Nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards will be announced on February 2 in Beverly Hills, roughly one month before the Oscars are held at Hollywood's Kodak Theater on March 7.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=63698575&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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