For the second time in Oscars history, the academy released the short lists in nine categories all at once. On Monday, December 16, the hopefuls in a wide range of races found out if they are still in contention for the 92nd annual Academy Awards. Among these are the marquee awards for Best International Feature Film (which was pared down to 10 films from the 92 submitted) and Best Documentary Feature (which went from 159 to 15).
The race for Best Visual Effects, which had already been narrowed down to 20 films, was cut in half. Both music awards – Best Original Song and Best Original Score — were winnowed down to just 15 contenders from upwards of 75 submissions apiece. And the Best Makeup and Hairstyling race as well as the three awards for shorts – animated, documentary and live-action — were culled from dozens of entries to 10 apiece.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
One hundred and fifty-nine films were eligible for consideration; there are 15 on the shortlist. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
“Advocate”
“American Factory”
“The Apollo”
“Apollo 11”
“Aquarela”
“The Biggest Little Farm”
“The Cave”
“The Edge of Democracy”
“For Sama”
“The Great Hack”
“Honeyland”
“Knock Down the House”
“Maiden”
“Midnight Family”
“One Child Nation”
DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
Ninety-six films had qualified for consideration; there are 10 on the shortlist. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
“After Maria”
“Fire in Paradise”
“Ghosts of Sugar Land”
“In the Absence”
“Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)”
“Life Overtakes Me”
“The Nightcrawlers”
“St. Louis Superman”
“Stay Close”
“Walk Run Cha-Cha”
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
Ninety-one films had been deemed eligible; 10 made it to this stage. Academy members from all branches screened the original submissions between mid-October and December 10. The group’s top seven choices, augmented by three additional selections voted by the category’s executive Committee, make up the shortlist. Academy members eligible to participate in the nominations round of voting will view the shortlisted films. Members must see all 10 films before casting their ballots. The films, listed in alphabetical order by country, are:
Czech Republic, “The Painted Bird”
Estonia, “Truth and Justice”
France, “Les Misérables”
Hungary, “Those Who Remained”
North Macedonia, “Honeyland”
Poland, “Corpus Christi”
Russia, “Beanpole”
Senegal, “Atlantics”
South Korea, “Parasite”
Spain, “Pain and Glory”
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MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Ten films advanced. Members of the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch will be invited to view 7-minute excerpts from each of the shortlisted films on Saturday, January 4, 2020. Members will vote to nominate five films. The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
“Bombshell”
“Dolemite Is My Name”
“Downton Abbey”
“Joker”
“Judy”
“Little Women”
“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil”
“1917”
“Once upon a Time…in Hollywood”
“Rocketman”
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
One hundred and seventy scores were eligible; 15 are on the shortlist. Members of the Music Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. The scores listed in alphabetical order by film title are:
“Avengers: Endgame”
“Bombshell”
“The Farewell”
“Ford v Ferrari”
“Frozen II”
“Jojo Rabbit”
“Joker”
“The King”
“Little Women”
“Marriage Story”
“Motherless Brooklyn”
“1917”
“Pain and Glory”
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”
“Us”
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)
Seventy-five songs were eligible; 15 are on the shortlist. Members of the Music Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. The original songs, along with the motion picture in which each song is featured, are listed below in alphabetical order by film title and song title:
“Speechless” from “Aladdin”
“Letter To My Godfather” from “The Black Godfather”
“I’m Standing With You” from “Breakthrough”
“Da Bronx” from “The Bronx USA”
“Into The Unknown” from “Frozen II”
“Stand Up” from “Harriet”
“Catchy Song” from “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part”
“Never Too Late” from “The Lion King”
“Spirit” from “The Lion King”
“Daily Battles” from “Motherless Brooklyn”
“A Glass of Soju” from “Parasite”
“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from “Rocketman”
“High Above The Water” from “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am”
“I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” from “Toy Story 4”
“Glasgow” from “Wild Rose”
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ANIMATED SHORT FILM
Ninety-two films had qualified in the category; 10 made the short list. Members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
“Dcera (Daughter)”
“Hair Love”
“He Can’t Live without Cosmos”
“Hors Piste”
“Kitbull”
“Memorable”
“Mind My Mind”
“The Physics of Sorrow”
“Sister”
“Uncle Thomas: Accounting for the Days”
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
One hundred and ninety-one films had been eligible for consideration; 10 are on the short list. Members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees. The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
“Brotherhood”
“The Christmas Gift”
“Little Hands”
“Miller & Son”
“Nefta Football Club”
“The Neighbors’ Window”
“Refugee”
“Saria”
“A Sister”
“Sometimes, I Think about Dying”
VISUAL EFFECTS
Ten films remain in the running in the Visual Effects category for the 92nd Academy Awards. The Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee determined the shortlist. All members of the Visual Effects Branch will be invited to view 10-minute excerpts from each of the shortlisted films on Saturday, January 4, 2020. Following the screenings, members will vote to nominate five films for final Oscar consideration. The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
“Alita: Battle Angel”
“Avengers: Endgame”
“Captain Marvel”
“Cats”
“Gemini Man”
“The Irishman”
“The Lion King”
“1917”
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”
“Terminator: Dark Fate”
Be sure to make your Oscar nominee predictions today so that Hollywood insiders can see how their films and performers are faring in our odds. You can keep changing your predictions as often as you like until just before nominees are announced on January 13. And join in the fun debate over the 2020 Academy Awards taking place right now with Hollywood insiders in our film forums. Read more Gold Derby entertainment news.
