The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is set to unveil its shortlists for the Academy Awards on December 17, with a significant increase in the number of shortlisted scores — expanding from 15 to 20. However, the shortlist for best song will remain at 15 entries.
Voting for the nominations will take place from January 8 to January 12, with the nominees being announced on January 17. The final voting round will occur from February 11 to February 18, culminating in the Oscars ceremony on March 2.
Among the potential nominees for best original song are:
– “Forbidden Road,” co-written by Sacha Skarbek, Freddy Wexler, and Robbie Williams, is featured in the biopic “Better Man,” which presents Robbie Williams as a motion-captured chimpanzee.
– “Winter Coat,” a collaborative song by Nicholas Britell, Steve McQueen, and Taura Stinson, comes from the historical drama “Blitz.”
– “Never Too Late,” written by Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Andrew Watt, and Bernie Taupin, is part of the documentary “Elton John: Never Too Late.”
– “El Mal” and “Mi Camino,” both featuring songs by Clément Ducol and Camille Dalmais from the Netflix film “Emilia Pérez.”
– “Beyond” by the songwriting duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, potentially marking a significant moment as it could be the first Oscar-nominated song by an all-woman team since 2020.
As for the best original score category, notable contenders include:
– Benjamin Wallfisch for “Alien: Romulus,” marking his potential first nomination after prior acclaim for films like “Blade Runner 2049.”
– Hans Zimmer’s score for “Blitz,” extending his legacy with a 13th potential nomination.
– Clément Ducol and Camille Dalmais again for “Emilia Pérez,” showing their versatile strengths in both songwriting and scoring.
Several composers, including Jon Batiste and A.R. Rahman, are also in the running, with multiple projects that highlight both their musical prowess and contributions to storytelling through film.
The increase in shortlisted candidates is a promising shift that may encourage greater recognition for a diverse array of musical talents in the industry, especially as many of the nominated artists are celebrated figures with impressive careers.
In a landscape where more voices and styles are being acknowledged, this year’s Oscars may celebrate a broader spectrum of talent, providing audiences with a fresh array of musical experiences connected to the cinematic journey.
Overall, this year’s Academy Awards could prove to be a landmark event, spotlighting unique stories and the creativity behind them through music, reflecting an evolving industry focused on diversity and innovation.