Having been delayed by two months, the anticipated 93rd Academy Awards ceremony will take place Sunday. Aside from the delay caused by unprecedented circumstances, this year’s ceremony is notable due to the fact that the eligibility period for films to be considered for nominations was expanded. For the first time since 1934, the pool of films which have been nominated were released in two separate calendar years.

Despite experiencing a longer wait between ceremonies, film fans and media publications are still expressing their excitement about Hollywood’s biggest night by making predictions regarding who will win in each of its categories. As such, Laker Review has compiled its own list of nominees who may be the best bet to win some of the night’s biggest awards. 

Best Picture: “Nomadland”

Bolstered by the inspired direction of Chloé Zhao (“The Rider”), “Nomadland” has already proven its worth this awards season, having won Best Motion Picture – Drama at this year’s Golden Globe Awards. Featuring a cast of primarily real-life nomads portraying fictionalized versions of themselves, the film pleads a strong case for itself due to its indie-style pacing, captivating cinematography and its intriguing depiction of how others may interpret the definition of “home.” Although it may be facing tough competitors such as “Minari,” “Nomadland’s” ability to immerse the audience in its characters’ world and to help them understand their lifestyles and struggles gives it a special quality which allows for it to have a slight edge over the rest of the competition.                       

Best Director: Chloé Zhao, “Nomadland”

Regardless of which film wins Best Picture, Zhao is more than deserving of winning the prestigious award of Best Director for her work on “Nomadland.” Taking on the roles of screenwriter, editor and producer on top of directing  the film, she demonstrated an abundance of dedication and talent in developing a visually-arresting and emotionally-involving film. Drawing from the experiences of the nomadic individuals featured in the film, Zhao also developed a great sense of authenticity and honesty which elevate its realist qualities. If she were to win the award, Zhao would also make history, as she would be only the second woman, following Kathryn Bigelow (“The Hurt Locker”), to win the Academy Award for Best Director.                                              

Best Actor: Chadwick Boseman, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”

Following in the footsteps of the late Peter Finch (“Network”) and Heath Ledger (“The Dark Knight”), Boseman (“Black Panther”) could become one of only a few people to win a posthumous Oscar in an acting category. Nominated for his role as Levee Green in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” Boseman’s performance left many filmgoers both astounded and heartbroken, given the sheer heart and talent exemplified by the actor. By playing a ’20s-era musician who openly vented his frustrations regarding the exploitation of African American artists, Boseman proved that he was only reaching the height of what should have been a long career.                                                    

Best Supporting Actor: Daniel Kaluuya, “Judas and the Black Messiah”

Boseman’s fellow “Black Panther” alum Kaluuya also delivered a career-defining performance this Oscar’s season. Portraying real-life activist Fred Hampton, Kaluuya gave what was perhaps the strongest performance in a film filled with talented actors, such as LaKeith Stanfield (“Sorry to Bother You”), who was nominated in the same category for his role in the film. By grasping the audience’s attention each time he appears in the film, Kaluuya delivered a performance which perfectly encapsulates Hampton’s commanding presence. Though his limited screen time may have reduced him to a nomination as a supporting actor, Kaluuya’s powerhouse performance points toward a promising future with more potential nominations down the line.                                          

Best Actress: Frances McDormand, “Nomadland”

Playing the role of “Fern” in “Nomadland,” McDormand (“Isle of Dogs”) gave a performance which did wonders in emulating the lives, hardships and mindsets of the real-life nomads whose community she interacted with. Having previously won the award for Best Actress for her roles in “Fargo” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” in addition to receiving multiple nominations for Best Supporting Actress, McDormand has established herself as an Oscars darling over the course of her 37-year career. It would be unsurprising if she won the award again, especially after giving such a deserving performance.                                                        

Best Supporting Actress: Youn Yuh-jung, “Minari”

Just by being nominated, Yuh-jung has already made Oscars history by being the first Korean actress to be considered for the Best Supporting Actress award. For her performance as “Soon-ja” in “Minari,” Yuh-jung previously made headlines by winning in the same category at this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, where she was the first Korean woman to receive such an honor. Given the equally warm, funny and haunting nature of her performance, Yuh-jung is more than deserving of the high praise she has received. Therefore, the prospect of her winning at the Academy Awards is justified.  

Best Animated Feature: “Soul”

Though films from other studios have sometimes broken through to win the award in past years, it has been acknowledged that the Academy seemingly favors films produced by both Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios for its Best Animated Feature award. Seeing as the latter has two films, “Onward” and “Soul,” in the running for the prize this year, it seems likely that Pixar will once again experience victory. Considering its mature story, innovative animation, appealing aesthetic and better critical reception, it appears that “Soul” would be the more likely of the two films to win the award.

Undoubtedly, this year’s Academy Awards ceremony will prove to be a history-making event. Aside from how its postponement affected the pool of eligible nominees, it will also be notable due to the racial diversity and representation seen among them; something which past ceremonies have received criticism for lacking. In a night which always proves to be exciting and is filled with surprises, the significant alterations and improvements made by the Academy to the ceremony make it all the more special to anticipate. 

Image from E! News via YouTube