The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is making significant changes to its awards process this year, particularly in the music categories. On December 17, the Academy will unveil its shortlists for the Academy Awards, expanding the number of shortlisted scores from 15 to 20 while keeping the best song shortlist at 15.
Voting for the nominations will take place from January 8 to 12, with nominees set to be announced on January 17. The final voting round will occur from February 11 to 18, leading to the Oscars ceremony on March 2.
Among the contenders for Best Original Song are:
1. **“Forbidden Road”** by Sacha Skarbek, Freddy Wexler, and Robbie Williams, featured in *Better Man*—a film depicting the life of pop star Robbie Williams, creatively portrayed through motion capture.
2. **“Winter Coat”** by Nicholas Britell, Steve McQueen, and Taura Stinson from *Blitz*, with Stinson on the verge of achieving a notable milestone if nominated.
3. **“Never Too Late”** by Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Andrew Watt, and Bernie Taupin from *Elton John: Never Too Late*, with John hoping to add to his impressive tally of accolades.
4. Other notable entries include songs from *Emilia Pérez*, *The Last Showgirl*, and *Moana 2*.
The Best Original Score category also features a strong lineup, including:
– **Benjamin Wallfisch** for *Alien: Romulus*, marking his potential first Oscar recognition.
– **Hans Zimmer** for *Blitz*, continuing his prolific legacy with a notable milestone of 12 nominations.
– **Clément Ducol and Camille Dalmais** for both *Emilia Pérez* and other scores, showcasing their versatility.
The diversity of talent in both categories indicates a promising year for music in film, reflecting a commitment to innovation within the industry.
This year’s changes not only enhance the visibility and competitiveness of music contributions to film but also pave the way for broader representation, especially for women in music scores. With the expansion in categories, more artists have the opportunity to showcase their talents, potentially leading to an exciting roster of nominees come January.
The Academy’s commitment to inclusivity and recognition of emerging talent can foster new waves of creativity in the industry, making the anticipation for this year’s awards particularly high.