Los Angeles — Behind the headlines at the Academy Award nominations there were some special achievements, including honours for Matt Damon, Meryl Streep and Denzel Washington.
First best picture musical of the century
La La Land became the first musical with original music and story to receive a best picture nomination since All That Jazz (1979) and the second since Anchors Aweigh (1945).
Damon joins elite club
Matt Damon, who earned a nod as a producer of Manchester by the Sea , became only the third person to get nominations in the acting, writing and best picture categories. The others are Warren Beatty and George Clooney.
Washington’s double whammy
Denzel Washington, who starred, directed and co-produced Fences , becomes the seventh person to receive acting and best picture nominations for the same film, joining Warren Beatty, Kevin Costner, Clint Eastwood, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Bradley Cooper.
Longest film ever
The documentary O. J.: Made in America , with a running time of 7 hours and 47 minutes, became the longest film ever nominated for an Academy Award.
Sound mixing tie
Kevin O’Connell ( Hacksaw Ridge ) and Andy Nelson ( La Land ), each with 21 nominations for sound mixing, were tied for the most nominations in the category since nominations began going to individuals in 1961.
READ MORE: Oscars 2017: Snubs and surprises
