While more than two dozen awards will be presented this Sunday. Here’s a look at who could take home the prize in the top categories.
The path to the 2021 Academy Awards has been a strange one. After enduring date changes and delays as well as virtual film festivals and new eligibility rules, the Oscars will take place this Sunday. Heading into the ceremony, there are a few clear frontrunners in major categories like best picture and best director, but the race is still wide open in others, like best actress. Regardless of who wins, the 2021 Oscar nomination slate is a historic one. It marks the first time an all-Black producing team has been nominated for best picture (« Judas and the Black Messiah »), the first time two actors of Asian decent were nominated for best actor (Steven Yeun and Riz Ahmed) and the first year that two women have been nominated for best director (Chloe Zhao and Emerald Fennell). Zhao’s « Nomadland » has swept the awards season and seems poised to nab best picture as well as the best directing award for the filmmaker, barring any unforeseen upsets. Chadwick Boseman, who unexpectedly passed away after a four-year battle with colon cancer that he concealed from the public, is likely to pick up the best actor award for his performance in « Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. » Daniel Kaluuya is expected to snag the best supporting actor trophy for his performance in « Judas and the Black Messiah, » while Yuh-Jung Youn appears to be on track to become the second Asian woman to win an acting prize at the ceremony. The best actress award, on the other hand, is anyone’s guess. While more than two dozen awards will be presented this Sunday. Here’s a look at who could take home the prize in the top categories.
