By Mira Samuels // Oscar Nominations // EEW Magazine Online

Diverse candidates are among the 2024 Oscar nominees. L to R Danielle Brooks, Jeffrey Wright, Colman Domingo (EEW)

As the red carpets roll out and the golden statuettes are polished, the 2024 Oscars stand as a testament to a transformative era in Hollywood.

This year's nominations herald a new chapter of inclusivity and representation, with a noteworthy celebration of African American artists who have captivated audiences with their riveting performances and storytelling prowess. EEW Magazine Online delves into the landmark achievements that make this Oscar season a historic moment for diversity in cinema.

The nominations have spoken, and the message is clear: the winds of change are sweeping through the hallowed halls of the Academy.

Lily Gladstone's nomination as the first Native American for best actress is a groundbreaking triumph, setting the stage for a more inclusive Oscar narrative. However, our focus shines on the African American talents whose brilliance has been deservedly acknowledged in this year's race for the coveted trophies.

Colman Domingo's landmark nomination as the first Afro Latino in the best actor category for his stirring role in "Rustin" is a milestone that deserves every accolade. His portrayal of a civil rights icon is a powerful reminder of the enduring struggle for equality, resonating deeply with our community's rich history of advocacy and resilience. Joining him in this historic lineup is Jeffrey Wright for "American Fiction," marking a rare occasion where two Black actors are vying for the leading prize, beyond the familiar names of Will Smith and Denzel Washington.

The synergy of African American talent is further exemplified by Sterling K. Brown's best supporting actor nod for his nuanced portrayal of Clifford "Cliff" Ellison in "American Fiction." This nomination is particularly significant as it is the first instance where a Black lead actor and a supporting actor from the same film have been recognized, demonstrating the film's profound impact on the narrative of Black experiences in America.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Michael Rowe/Getty Images/EEW)

The celebration extends to the powerful performances by Danielle Brooks in "The Color Purple" and Da'Vine Joy Randolph in "The Holdovers," both nominated for best supporting actress. Their inclusion alongside America Ferrera's historic nomination for "Barbie" paints a vibrant picture of the diverse talent that is shaping the industry’s future.

Celine Song's groundbreaking nomination for best original screenplay with "Past Lives" is a clarion call for Asian representation, while the strong showing of female scribes in both original and adapted screenplay categories, including Greta Gerwig's nomination for "Barbie," signifies a turning tide for women in filmmaking.

The 2024 Oscars stand as a beacon of progress, with the nominations reflecting a richer, more diverse tapestry of storytelling that honors the multifaceted experiences of African American artists and beyond. As we witness the emergence of a more inclusive Hollywood, this year's Oscars not only celebrate artistic excellence but also herald a hopeful future where every voice has the chance to be heard and every story the opportunity to be told.

Let us embrace this momentous occasion and continue the momentum towards a cinematic landscape where diversity is not an exception but the norm.

A full list of nominees is below.

Best Picture

American Fiction
Anatomy of a Fall
Barbie
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Past Lives
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest

Best Director

Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall
Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things
Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest

Best Actor

Bradley Cooper, Maestro
Colman Domingo, Rustin
Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer
Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction

Best Actress

Annette Bening, Nyad
Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon
Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall
Carey Mulligan, Maestro
Emma Stone, Poor Things

Best Supporting Actor

Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction
Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon
Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer
Ryan Gosling, Barbie
Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things

Best Supporting Actress

Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple
America Ferrera, Barbie
Jodie Foster, Nyad
Da'Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers

Best Original Screenplay

Justine Triet and Arthur Harari, Anatomy of a Fall
David Hemingson, The Holdovers
Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer, Maestro
Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik, May December
Celine Song, Past Lives

Best Adapted Screenplay

Cord Jefferson, American Fiction
Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, Barbie
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer
Tony McNamara, Poor Things
Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest

Best Animated Feature

The Boy and the Heron
Elemental
Nimona
Robot Dreams
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Best International Feature

Io Capitano (Italy)
Perfect Days (Japan)
Society of the Snow (Spain)
The Teachers' Lounge (Germany)
The Zone of Interest (United Kingdom)

Best Documentary Feature

Bobi Wine: The People's President
The Eternal Memory
Four Daughters
To Kill a Tiger
20 Days in Mariupol

Best Documentary Short

The ABCs of Book Banning
The Barber of Little Rock
Island in Between
The Last Repair Shop
Nai Nai & Wai Po

Best Live-Action Short

The After
Invincible
Knight of Fortune
Red, White, and Blue
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

Best Animated Short

Letter to a Pig
Ninety-Five Senses
Our Uniform
Pachyderme
WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko

Best Original Score

Laura Karpman, American Fiction
John Williams, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Robbie Robertson, Killers of the Flower Moon
Ludwig Göransson, Oppenheimer
Jerskin Fendrix, Poor Things

Best Original Song

"The Fire Inside" from Flamin' Hot, music and lyric by Diane Warren
"I'm Just Ken" from Barbie, music and lyric by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt
"It Never Went Away" from American Symphony, music and lyric by Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson
"Wahzhaze" (A Song for My People) from Killers of the Flower Moon, music and lyric by Scott George
"What Was I Made For?" from Barbie, music and lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell

Best Sound

The Creator
Maestro
Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One
Oppenheimer
The Zone of Interest

Best Production Design

Barbie
Killers of the Flower Moon
Napoleon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

Best Cinematography

El Conde
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Golda
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things
Society of the Snow

Best Costume Design

Jacqueline Durran, Barbie
Jacqueline West, Killers of the Flower Moon
Janty Yates and Dave Crossman, Napoleon
Ellen Mirojnick, Oppenheimer
Holly Waddington, Poor Things

Best Film Editing

Anatomy of a Fall
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things

Best Visual Effects

The Creator
Godzilla Minus One
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One
Napoleon

Academy Honorary Awards

Angela Bassett
Mel Brooks
Carol Littleton
Previously announced and awarded at the Governors Awards ceremony.

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

Michelle Satter
Previously announced and awarded at the Governors Awards ceremony.