Oscar Shortlists Announced: Films and Songs Move Closer to Nomination

Anticipation is high as the Oscar shortlists have been revealed, paving the path for potential nominations. In a recent announcement, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences shared the shortlists for ten categories, including recognition for best original song, documentary feature, and international feature, as well as nominations for original score and various technical achievements like hair and makeup, visual effects, and sound.

Films in the Spotlight

The heartwarming ballad "I’m Just Ken" from the "Barbie" movie and the poignant AP and Frontline documentary "20 Days in Mariupol" are among those that have edged closer to an Oscar nod. "20 Days in Mariupol", a gripping portrayal by Mstyslav Chernov, not only shines in the documentary category but also represents Ukraine in the international feature segment.

Big names such as Gerwig's "Barbie", Nolan's "Oppenheimer", and Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" are heavily featured across categories. However, "Oppenheimer" faced a surprising exclusion in the visual effects category, after an earlier report highlighted its absence from the initial list of 20 contenders.

International Features and Original Songs

A diverse array of films from around the globe have made it to the shortlist, including offerings like "The Zone of Interest" (United Kingdom), "The Taste of Things" (France), "Tótem" (Mexico), and "Fallen Leaves" (Finland), all in the running for the international feature category.

In the intensely competitive original song category, "I’m Just Ken" is up against other tunes, including two more from its own movie: Dua Lipa’s "Dance the Night" and Billie Eilish’s "What Was I Made For?" Movies like "Flora and Son" and "The Color Purple" also have two songs advancing, although rules allow only two songs per film to proceed to the nomination stage.

Musicians like Sharon Van Etten, Olivia Rodrigo, Jon Batiste, Lenny Kravitz, and Jarvis Cocker have made the list with their songs, while Diane Warren seeks another nomination with "The Fire Inside" from "Flamin' Hot." A few expected contenders, however, such as Justin Timberlake and Jack Black, did not make the cut this year.

Original Scores and Documentary Shocks

The original score category features notable composers like John Williams, Ludwig Göransson, and Mica Levi. Most surprising is the inclusion of the late Robbie Robertson for "Killers of the Flower Moon," with Joe Hisaishi potentially earning his first Oscar nomination for "The Boy and the Heron."

The documentary category showcases a mix of films, including a profile on musician Jon Batiste and an intimate look at Michael J. Fox's journey. Not all films made the shortlist, leading to the surprise exclusions of documentaries like "Kokomo City" and "Little Richard: I Am Everything."

Makeup and Hairstyling, and Short Film Finalists

The makeup and hairstyling shortlist did not include "Barbie", but films such as "Beau is Afraid", "Poor Things", and "Oppenheimer" are in contention. In the shorts categories, acclaimed directors like Pedro Almodóvar and Wes Anderson have entries that added star power to the selections.

Members from specific branches of the Academy, sometimes with specialized committees, determined most of the shortlists. Some branches require minimum viewing requirements for validity.

Road to the Oscars

The final nominations are eagerly awaited and will be announced on January 23, with the 96th Oscars scheduled for March 10. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the ceremony will air live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, commencing at 7 p.m. ET, an hour earlier than in previous years.

Oscars, Nomination, Films