If the Oscars shortlist represents the equivalent of midterm exams for awards hopefuls, then Netflix’s Emilia Pérez and Universal Pictures’ Wicked have successfully passed.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently revealed the shortlists in 10 categories for the 97th Oscars ceremony.
Emilia Pérez earned six mentions across various categories, including makeup, sound, original score, international feature, and two nods for original song (“El Mal” and “Mi Camino”). Meanwhile, Universal Pictures’ Wicked garnered four spots, underscoring its strong presence in the competition.
The preliminary round of voting spans animated short film, documentary feature, documentary short, international feature, live-action short, makeup and hairstyling, original score, original song, sound, and visual effects.
Oscar voting to determine nominees in all 23 categories begins on Wednesday, January 8, and concludes on Sunday, January 12. Final nominations will be announced on Friday, January 17.
Notably, five films recognized as winners of the 2024 Student Academy Awards are among the shortlisted contenders: Keeper (documentary short), Au Revoir Mon Monde and Origami (animated short), and The Compatriot and Crust (live-action short). The final list of nominees for these categories is still pending.
Conan O’Brien is set to host the 97th Oscars ceremony, which will take place on March 2, 2025. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the films on the shortlist.
Documentary Feature
The 15 shortlisted films for Best Documentary Feature include Netflix’s Daughters, Amazon MGM Studios’ Frida, and National Geographic’s Sugarcane.
Surprising inclusions such as Alexis Bloom’s The Bibi Files, which go into corruption allegations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Gary Hustwit’s Eno, a documentary on musician Brian Eno, made waves. Meanwhile, notable omissions included HBO’s The Commandant’s Shadow and Magnolia’s Ernest Cole: Lost and Found.
Among the 169 eligible documentaries, these 15 will now vie for one of five nomination slots, as decided by members of the Documentary Branch.
International Feature
A vibrant array of 15 films from around the globe includes Emilia Pérez from France, Ireland’s Kneecap, and Germany’s politically charged thriller The Seed of the Sacred Fig.
This selection showcases diverse cultural narratives and emotional storytelling. However, some high-profile films, such as Portugal’s Grand Tour and Mexico’s Sujo, were notably absent from the shortlist.
Academy members from all branches participated in the preliminary voting process, ensuring they met minimum viewing requirements. For the nomination round, all shortlisted films must be viewed by participating members.
Oscars Shortlists
Makeup and Hairstyling
This year’s shortlist features a mix of expected contenders like Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two and unexpected surprises such as Waltzing with Brando, which impressed with its transformation of Billy Zane into Marlon Brando. The lineup reflects a commitment to showcasing the artistry involved in physical and emotional transformations.
While some frontrunners, such as Bob Marley: One Love, were left out, Sebastian Stan’s dual presence in A Different Man and his transformation as Donald Trump in Waltzing with Brando garnered significant attention.
Sound
The shortlist for Best Sound includes a blend of musical films like Wicked and unexpected entries such as the animated The Wild Robot. Highlights include Alien: Romulus and Deadpool & Wolverine, which pushed genre boundaries with their soundscapes. Branch members will evaluate excerpts from these films in January to finalize the nominees.
Visual Effects
Films like Dune: Part Two, Gladiator II, and Deadpool & Wolverine lead the Visual Effects category, showcasing technological advancements and creative storytelling.
However, anticipated contenders such as Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga were notably excluded. Members of the Visual Effects Branch will review excerpts and interviews with artists before voting on the final five nominees.
Original Score and Original Song
The Original Score category expanded its shortlist to 20 titles, including Benjamin Wallfisch’s suspenseful work on Alien: Romulus and Camille’s contributions to Emilia Pérez.
Women composers had a significant presence, marking a step toward diversity. Similarly, the Original Song shortlist highlights eclectic entries, including Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tell Me It’s You from Mufasa: The Lion King and the country-inspired Out of Oklahoma from Twisters.
Short Films
The Academy also revealed its shortlists for animated, documentary, and live-action shorts. Animated contenders like Au Revoir Mon Monde and Magic Candies exemplify visual storytelling, while documentary shorts such as Keeper highlight diverse themes. In the live-action category, films like The Compatriot and Crust round out a strong slate.
This year’s Oscar shortlists feature bold storytelling, innovative artistry, and global perspectives, setting the stage for a highly competitive awards season.
