The road to an Oscar nomination has just become more defined for the “Barbie” power ballad “I’m Just Ken” and the documentary “20 Days in Mariupol” by AP and Frontline.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled shortlists in 10 categories, encompassing best original song, documentary feature, international feature, original score, and various crafts such as hair and makeup, visual effects, and sound.
Mstyslav Chernov’s “20 Days in Mariupol” secured a spot on the shortlist in both the documentary and international feature categories, representing Ukraine in the latter. Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” and Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” were prominently featured among the finalists in multiple categories, including score and sound. Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest” and Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” also made strides in various areas such as makeup, visual effects, and score. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” earned recognition in visual effects, song, and score.
International features that advanced include “The Zone of Interest” (United Kingdom), Tr?n Anh Hùng’s “The Taste of Things” (France), Lila Avilés’ “Tótem” (Mexico), and Aki Kaurismäki’s “Fallen Leaves” (Finland). Notably, Justine Triet’s acclaimed “Anatomy of a Fall” did not represent France and was consequently ineligible in the category.
In the original song category, contenders vying with “I’m Just Ken” include two other songs from “Barbie”: Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” and Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” However, only two songs from a single movie can advance to the nomination stage. Notable entries include songs from “Flora and Son” and “The Color Purple.”
Diane Warren has another chance at a nomination for “The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot,” while expected finalists like Justin Timberlake for “Trolls Band Together” and Jack Black for his “Super Mario Bros. Movie” ballad “Peaches” were left off the list.
The 15 original score finalists include familiar names like John Williams, Ludwig Göransson, Mica Levi, and the late Robbie Robertson. Joe Hisaishi could secure his first Oscar nomination for “The Boy and the Heron.” Surprisingly, some expected entries, such as “Origin” and “Past Lives,” missed out in the score category.
In the documentary category, nominees include “20 Days in Mariupol,” “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.”
“Barbie” did not make the cut for makeup and hairstyling, while “Oppenheimer” missed out in the visual effects category. Visual effects contenders this year include films like “Rebel Moon-Part One: A Child of Fire,” “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.”
The live action, animated, and documentary shorts finalists were also revealed, with star-studded entries like Pedro Almodóvar’s “Strange Way of Life” and Wes Anderson’s “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.”
Final nominations for all categories will be disclosed on Jan. 23, and the 96th Oscars, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, are scheduled for March 10, broadcasting live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, starting one hour earlier than usual at 7 p.m. ET.
