The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed the shortlists for the upcoming Oscars, bringing us one step closer to the highly anticipated nominations. Notable entries include Mstyslav Chernov's "20 Days in Mariupol," which has been shortlisted in both the documentary and international feature categories, representing Ukraine in the latter. Additionally, Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" power ballad "I'm Just Ken" has made it to the shortlist for best original song.
Several other films and artists have also made a strong showing in the list shortlists for 2024. Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer," Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon," and Jonathan Glazer's "The Zone of Interest" are among the prominent contenders in various categories such as score and sound. International features like "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) have also advanced in the competition.
In the best original song category, "I'm Just Ken" from "Barbie" faces competition from other songs like Dua Lipa's "Dance the Night" and Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?" Only two songs from a single movie can advance to the nomination stage, and this year, "Barbie" has two other songs in contention. Notable artists like Sharon Van Etten, Olivia Rodrigo, and Jon Batiste are also vying for a spot in this category.
The shortlist for best original score includes familiar names such as John Williams, Ludwig Goransson, and the late Robbie Robertson, alongside potential first-time nominee Joe Hisaishi.
In the documentary category, "20 Days in Mariupol" is joined by other nominees like "American Symphony," "Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie," and "Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project." However, some notable documentaries like "Kokomo City" and "Little Richard: I Am Everything" were left off the list.
While "Oppenheimer" performed well in most categories, it did not make the cut for visual effects, an omission that had been previously reported. The visual effects contenders this year include a mix of superhero and franchise films, with notable entries like "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 in all categories will be announced on January 23, with the 96th Oscars ceremony scheduled to take place on March 10. The event will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and will be broadcast live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.