Independent film powerhouse A24 is officially shutting down its documentary department, a move reflecting the increasingly tough landscape for nonfiction filmmaking. The decision will impact five staff members, though documentary division head Nicole Stott and production lead Emily Osborne will remain to complete ongoing projects.

A24 has been behind recent high-profile documentaries such as Steve McQueen’s Occupied City and The Last Of The Sea Women. The company will continue to manage upcoming releases including Architecton, Andre Is An Idiot, and the Philippou brothers’ deathmatch wrestling doc.

While the department is being dissolved, A24 has not ruled out future collaborations with documentary filmmakers. The move comes on the heels of other significant retreats in the space, including last year’s closure of Participant Media, long a key supporter of U.S. documentary storytelling.

Over the years, A24’s doc unit has delivered acclaimed titles like Amy (2015), Val (2021), The Deepest Breath, and Morgan Neville’s Steve! for Apple TV+. The company’s core narrative film business continues, with upcoming releases including Celine Song’s Materialists and Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest.