In a recent confirmation to Variety, acclaimed independent entertainment company A24 has decided to dismantle its documentary filmmaking wing, resulting in five individuals leaving the division. The department, led by Nicole Stott, is responsible for well-received documentaries like "Look Into My Eyes," "The Last of the Sea Women," "The Sixth," and Morgan Neville's "Steve!"

While Stott and the Head of Documentary Production, Emily Osborne, will stay on with the company to wrap up current projects, it's uncertain what the future holds beyond that stage. Notably, A24 will continue to support non-fiction projects already completed or currently in production. This includes films like "André Is an Idiot" and "Architecton," as well as upcoming works like the Philippou brothers’ "Deathmatch" and "The Yogurt Shop Murders."

Although A24 isn't fully closing the door on future documentary endeavors, market realities make it impossible to maintain a dedicated documentary division, according to inside sources. The industry's stance is reflecting a harsh climate for documentaries, with distributors often shying away from politically charged and topical titles, forcing some filmmakers to embark on self-distribution.

A24's past triumphs in the documentary scene are noteworthy, such as "Amy," the 2016 Oscar winner for Best Documentary, and the 2021 Val Kilmer documentary "Val." However, with the company's successful feature and TV arms still operational, and several narrative films, including Ari Aster's "Eddington," Spike Lee's "Highest 2 Lowest," and Harry Lighton's "Pillion," showcasing at Cannes this year, A24 maintains its distinct brand footprint within the entertainment industry.