A documentary exploring the drug war waged by President Rodrigo Duterte after he was elected president in 2016 has been shortlisted for an Oscar. National Geographic

"The Nightcrawlers," a National Geographic documentary on President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war, has been shortlisted in the documentary short subject category for the Oscars.

The film follows "a small group of determined photojournalists on a mission to expose the true cost of the violent campaign."

An excerpt from its synopsis reads: "Through covering both sides of the conflict, The Nightcrawlers reveals a harrowing twist behind Duterte's deadly crusade."

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Among those featured in the documentary are photojournalists Raffy Lerma and Ezra Acayan.

The film, which can be streamed on the Nat Geo TV app, was made by award-winning producer Joanna Natasegara and directed by Alexander Mora.

Nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards will be announced on January 13, 2020.