In a recent announcement, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled shortlists in 10 categories for the upcoming Oscars 2024. Among the notable entries, Mstyslav Chernov’s “20 Days in Mariupol” from Ukraine secured a place in both the documentary and international feature categories.
As anticipated, standout films like Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” and Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” featured prominently across various categories, including score and sound. Additionally, Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest” and Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” made strides in makeup, visual effects, and score.
Internationally, films such as “The Zone of Interest” (United Kingdom), Trần Anh Hung’s “The Taste of Things” (France), Lila Aviles’ “Totem” (Mexico), and Aki Kaurismaki’s “Fallen Leaves” (Finland) advanced in the international feature category. Notably, Justine Triet’s acclaimed “Anatomy of a Fall” did not make the cut for France.
In the realm of original song contenders, “I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie” faced competition from two other songs in the same film: Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” and Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” However, only two songs from a single movie can move forward to the nomination stage. “Flora and Son” and “The Color Purple” secured two advancing songs.
Several renowned artists, including Sharon Van Etten, Olivia Rodrigo, Jon Batiste, Lenny Kravitz, and Jarvis Cocker, also joined the race for the best original song. Diane Warren earned another opportunity with “The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot.”
In the original score category, familiar names like John Williams, Ludwig Goransson, Mica Levi, and the late Robbie Robertson appeared among the 15 finalists. Notably, Joe Hisaishi could secure his first Oscar nomination for “The Boy and the Heron.” However, some surprises emerged, such as the exclusion of “Origin” from Kris Bowers.
The documentary feature nominees included titles like “American Symphony,” “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project,” “The Eternal Memory,” “A Still Small Voice,” and “Four Daughters.” Notably absent were “Kokomo City” and “Little Richard: I Am Everything.”
Despite its success in various categories, “Oppenheimer” did not make the cut for visual effects, an omission previously reported. Visual effects contenders included films like Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon-Part One: A Child of Fire,” “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.”
The final nominations for all categories will be announced on January 23, with the 96th Oscars scheduled for March 10, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Notably, the show will begin one hour earlier than usual, at 7 p.m.
