Best Cinematography Oscars Predictions (December)

With five wins from the critics groups (Boston, Boston Online, Chicago, Chicago Indie, and Greater Western New York), Nomadland is speeding ahead in the Best Cinematography race. A nomination for Joshua James Richards is all but assured at this point.

The other lock of this category is Erik Messerschmidt for his gorgeous black-and-white cinematography of Mank. While David Fincher’s recreation of old Hollywood hasn’t been a favourite with the critics groups thus far, expect to see it pick up steam once the major awards start rolling out.

That leaves the rest of the slots wide open and it’s highly possible they’ll be filled by first-time nominees like Dariusz Wolski for his acclaimed work on News of the World and Lachlan Milne for his subtle yet gorgeous imagery in Minari. While Tenet is unlikely to be a contender above the line, it’s technical achievements will undoubtedly be acknowledged, meaning Hoyte van Hoytema could be in line for his second nomination.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY PREDICTIONS:
1. Nomadland (Searchlight Pictures)
Joshua James Richards
2. Mank (Netflix)
Erik Messerschmidt
3. News of the World (Universal Pictures)
Dariusz Wolski
4. Minari (A24)
Lachlan Milne
5. Tenet (Warner Bros.)
Hoyte van Hoytema

MAJOR CONTENDERS:
Da 5 Bloods (Netflix)
Newton Thomas Sigel
The Father (Sony Pictures Classics)
Ben Smithard
Hillbilly Elegy (Netflix)
Maryse Alberti
I’m Thinking of Ending Things (Netflix)
Łukasz Żal
Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros.)
Sean Bobbitt
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Netflix)
Tobias A. Schliessler
The Midnight Sky (Netflix)
Martin Ruhe
Mulan (Disney)
Mandy Walker
One Night in Miami (Amazon Studios)
Tami Reiker
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Netflix)
Phedon Papamichael