The Oscar nomination voting began Wednesday morning, and almost 10,000 Academy members must choose nominees from a large and competitive pool. This awards season is very uncertain because there isn’t a clear favorite like there has been in the past.
The voting started at the same time that the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) nominations were made public, making the race even more complicated. ” Wicked got five SAG nominations, which put it in first place. In recent years, films like Oppenheimer and Everything, Everywhere, All at Once were early favorites, but this year’s competition is still very close.
“Emilia Pérez,” “Conclave,” “Anora,” “Wicked,” and “The Brutalist” are some of the films that have emerged as major contenders. Despite receiving positive reviews and a SAG Best Actor nomination for Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist” notably did not receive SAG ensemble nominations. Some people point out that movies like “Nomadland” and “The Shape of Water” have won the Oscars without SAG ensemble nominations.
The Academy’s foreign voting body could significantly shape the nominations. This could help films and performances that appeal more to Oscar viewers than to SAG members in general. Even though they didn’t get SAG nominations, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Isabella Rossellini’s strong efforts in “Hard Truths” and “Conclave” could help them win at the Oscars.
People are also interested in the technical achievements of several contenders. The Academy has showcased these skills in ten different types of crafts. Both Netflix’s “Emilia Pérez” and Universal Pictures’ “Wicked” are strong contenders in several craft categories, which shows how varied this year’s options are.
The Academy will allow people to vote until January 12 at 5 p.m. PT. For the first time in recent history, the voting for Oscar nominations will end on a weekend. At the same time, the Critics Choice Awards will be held, which could affect people’s last-minute voting choices. The official nominations will be released on January 17, one week before the event on March 2, which Conan O’Brien will host.