Best Picture
Even though “La La Land,” which won all the Oscar precursors four years back, lost to “Moonlight”, an upset is truly far-fetched this year.
"The Father"
"Judas and the Black Messiah"
"Mank"
"Minari"
"Nomadland" ✔
"Promising Young Woman"
"Sound of Metal"
"The Trial of the Chicago 7"
Best Director
Chloe Zhao, with her four nominations, is a force of nature that need not bother about the other contenders. While “Another Round” is also making the rounds, we can safely place our bets on Zhao.
Chloé Zhao (“Nomadland”) ✔
Emerald Fennell ("Promising Young Woman")
David Fincher ("Mank")
Lee Isaac Chung ("Minari")
Thomas Vinterberg ("Another Round")
Best Actor in a Leading Role
As the world still reels from his loss, Chadwick Boseman leaves us with two Oscar nominated films in 2020. We can expect a similar tribute to the gifted actor as a posthumous winner as the one Heath Ledger (“The Dark Knight”) received back in 2009.
Riz Ahmed ("Sound of Metal")
Chadwick Boseman ("Ma Rainey's Black Bottom") ✔
Steven Yeun ("Minari")
Anthony Hopkins ("The Father")
Gary Oldman ("Mank")
Best Actress in a Leading Role
This could be Frances McDormand’s third Oscar win, making her the only actor to win thrice in this category. However, having won this title at the Screen Actors Guild Awards this year, it could also be Viola Davis’ year, finally bestowing the first Oscar on this divine actor. Vanessa Kirby also has a valid claim at the golden statue for her highly praised raw performance.
Viola Davis ("Ma Rainey's Black Bottom")
Frances McDormand ("Nomadland") ✔
Andra Day ("The United States vs. Billie Holiday")
Vanessa Kirby ("Pieces of a Woman")
Carey Mulligan ("Promising Young Woman")
Best International Feature
The world is cheering for “Another Round” like the film’s iconic scene of Mads Mikkelsen day drinking and dancing on the streets. Intricately portrayed Bosnian war film “Quo Vadis, Aida?” could give it a run for its money.
"Better Days" (Hong Kong)
"Collective" (Romania)
"The Man Who Sold His Skin" (Tunisia)
“Another Round” (Denmark) ✔
"Quo Vadis, Aida?" (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Sacha Baron Cohen ("The Trial of the Chicago 7")
Daniel Kaluuya ("Judas and the Black Messiah") ✔
Leslie Odom, Jr. ("One Night in Miami")
Paul Raci ("Sound of Metal")
LaKeith Stanfield ("Judas and the Black Messiah")
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Maria Bakalova ("Borat Subsequent Moviefilm")
Glenn Close ("Hillbilly Elegy")
Yuh-Jung Youn ("Minari") ✔
Olivia Colman ("The Father")
Amanda Seyfried ("Mank")
Best Original Screenplay
"Judas and the Black Messiah"
"Minari"
"Promising Young Woman" ✔
"Sound of Metal"
"The Trial of the Chicago 7"
Best Adapted Screenplay
"Borat Subsequent Moviefilm"
"The Father"
"Nomadland" ✔
"One Night in Miami"
"The White Tiger"
Best Cinematography
"Judas and the Black Messiah"
"Mank"
"News of the World"
"Nomadland" ✔
"The Trial of the Chicago 7"