20 Feet from Stardom has won the best documentary Oscar at the 86th Academy Awards, defeating a field that included Indonesian-massacre study The Act of Killing and Egyptian revolution insight The Square.
Directed by Morgan Neville, 20 Feet from Stardom is an examination of the lives and experiences of backing singers in the music industry. It has already featured strongly on the festival and awards circuit, and was selected as one of the top five documentaries of the year by the National Board of Review.
Get #darlenelove trending. she is fearless! Bold! #blackhistory
— Janelle Monae (@JanelleMonae) March 3, 2014The award was accepted with an arresting rendition of gospel hymn His Eye Is on the Sparrow by one of the film's stars, Darlene Love.
The Academy Awards are taking place at the Dolby theatre in Los Angeles, and are being hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.
• Xan Brooks's liveblog of the ceremony
• Full list of winners as they were announced
