The Oscars are one of the most anticipated events in Hollywood every year. While its normal date was pushed a few weeks back due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual award show is coming back on April 25 at 8 p.m. This year’s nominees represent some of the most diverse Oscars nominations in history.
According to The Cut, “British Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed is the first Muslim to be nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for ‘Sound of Metal,’ while Chloé Zhao is the first woman of color to be nominated in the Best Director category for ‘Nomadland.’
“(Emerald Fennell’s nomination in the same category makes it the first time in the ceremo- ny’s history that more than one woman will be joining the category in a single year.) Also historic is that two Asian American directors received nods: In addition to Zhao, Lee Isaac Chung was nominated for ‘Minari.’”
Amongst the nominees for Best Picture are “The Father,” produced by David Parfitt, Jean-Louis Livi and Philippe Carcassonne; “Judas and the Black Messiah,” produced by Shaka King, Charles D. King and Ryan Coogler; “Mank,” produced by Ceán Chaffin, Eric Roth and Douglas Urbanski; and “Minari,” produced by Christina Oh. Also on the list are “Nomadland,” produced by Frances McDormand, Peter Spears, Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey and Chloé Zhao; “Promising Young Woman,” produced by Ben Browning, Ashley Fox, Emerald Fennell and Josey McNamara; “Sound of Metal,” produced by Bert Hamelinck and Sacha Ben Harroche; and “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” produced by Marc Platt and Stuart Besser.
Notably, “Judas and the Black Messiah” is the first Best Picture nominee with all Black producers. “Judas and the Black Messiah” received nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for both Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield, as well.
Despite the Netflix film “Mank” being this year’s most-nominated film, Variety’s Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis predicts that “Nomadland” is slated to win Best Picture this year.
“The Producers Guild of America Awards awarded Chloé Zhao’s ‘Nomadland’ with their top prize, one of the key indicators for the Academy Awards, particularly the best picture category,” Davis wrote in his predictions for the magazine.
A complete look at all of the nominees for each awards category can be found on the Oscars website: https://www.oscars.org/news/93rd-os-carsr-nominations-announced.
