Oscars 2021: Our final predictions

After one of the longest awards seasons in living memory, the 93rd Academy Awards are almost upon us. Pandemic or no pandemic, this year’s nominations have been welcomed for their diversity and inclusivity, with celebrated indies rubbing shoulders with streaming hits and the handful of blockbusters that managed to reach their audience in one shape or form. David Fincher’s Mank leads the way ahead of Sunday’s ceremony with 10 nods.

Six other features each secured six nominations apiece including The Father, Judas and the Black Messiah, Minari, Nomadland, Sound of Metal and The Trial of the Chicago 7. Here are our full predictions for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony, plus who we think will and could win the top accolades.

Odds have increased for every film in the Best Picture category and Nomadland remains the main favourite according to SportsBettingDime.com.

BEST PICTURE
The Father
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
Minari
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7

Will win: Nomadland
Could win: The Trial of the Chicago 7

BEST DIRECTOR
Thomas Vinterberg, Another Round
David Fincher, Mank
Lisa Isaac Chung, Minari
Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman

Will win: Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
Could win: David Fincher, Mank

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Viola Davis, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Andra Day, The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman
Frances McDormand, Nomadland
Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman

Will win: Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
Could win: Viola Davis, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Anthony Hopkins, The Father
Gary Oldman, Mank
Steven Yeun, Minari

Will win: Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Could win: Anthony Hopkins, The Father

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy
Olivia Colman, The Father
Amanda Seyfried, Mank
Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari

Will win: Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari
Could win: Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7
Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah
Leslie Odom, Jr., One Night in Miami…
Paul Raci, Sound of Metal
Lakeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah

Will win: Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah
Could win: Leslie Odom, Jr., One Night in Miami…

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Judas and the Black Messiah
Minari
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7

Will win: Promising Young Woman
Could win: The Trial of the Chicago 7

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
The Father
Nomadland
One Night in Miami…
The White Tiger

Will win: Nomadland
Could win: The Father

ANIMATED FEATURE: Soul

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Collective

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE: Another Round

ORIGINAL SCORE: Soul

ORIGINAL SONG: “Speak Now” One Night in Miami…

SOUND: Sound of Metal

MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

COSTUME DESIGN: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Joshua James Richards, Nomadland

PRODUCTION DESIGN: Mank

FILM EDITING: Sound of Metal

VISUAL EFFECTS: Tenet

DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT: A Love Song for Latasha

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM: The Letter Room

ANIMATED SHORT FILM: If Anything Happens I Love You

The 93rd Academy Awards ceremony take place on 25 April 2021 at Union Station Los Angeles and the Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center.

Daniel Green