Is this Leoâ€™s best chance of scoring an Oscar?

An orphaned mountain gorilla sits in a compound at a sanctuary in the Virunga National Park, which is the focus of a new documentary produced by DiCaprio's production company. Source: AFP

AT LAST year's Oscars Leonardo DiCaprio was beaten out for the best actor award by Matthew McConaughey's portrayal of Ron Woodrof in Dallas Buyers Club.

It was the latest instance of DiCaprio being overlooked for the gold statuette after he was nominated for best supporting actor in 1994's What's Eating Gilbert Grape, again for best actor in 2005 and in 2007 for The Aviator and Blood Diamond respectively.

After The Wolf of Wall Street failed to yield an Oscar for the 40-year-old, some thought his disappointment was clearly visible and the internet went crazy with sad Leo memes.

At this year's Oscars he is not nominated for an acting performance, however one project he is attached to has a real chance of winning the best documentary category.

Directed by Orlando von Einsiedel, Virunga follows the lives of national park rangers as they try to maintain the park and the population of mountain gorillas that call it home. Source: Supplied

Virunga is a Netflix documentary that was produced by DiCaprio's production company, Apian Way Productions with the actor on board as executive producer.

The film follows the rangers of Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic on Congo as they strive to protect the population of mountain gorillas and preserve the park from poachers, militants and the interests of big oil companies.

M23 rebels now occupy Rumangabo and several other locations within Africa's oldest national park, which is also affected by other armed groups. "Most of the park is affected by conflict of some sort or another," says Emmanuel De Merode, Director for Virunga National Park. Source: AFP

The documentary category is strong at this year's event with a number of compelling entries including Finding Vivian Maire and CitizenFour — which some are tipping to take home the prize.

It's not quite the same as bagging one for an individual performance but at least for now, it may be DiCaprio's best chance of getting his hands on that elusive Oscar.