With the unveiling of the Academy’s shortlists, we now know the final 16 films in contention for Best Cinematography. This is the first time in more than four decades that this category has been included in the shortlists, so it’s nice to have it part of this process moving forward. And it threw a few curveballs our way.
While films like Critics Choice Awards nominees One Battle After Another, Sinners, Hamnet, Frankenstein, F1, and Train Dreams were all expected to land here, we had a few pleasing surprises in the form of Sentimental Value, Sirāt, Sound of Falling, and Die My Love. Can’t say I understand the inclusion of Song Sung Blue, especially at the expense of films like No Other Choice, The Secret Agent, and Avatar: Fire and Ash.
I think the Oscar spots will go to five of those six CCA nominees, but it’s still tough to say who will get the fifth spot. My heart can’t let go of Train Dreams landing here, so I’m sticking with it for now. But we’ll get the American Society of Cinematographers nominations on January 8, and that may give us a better indication of how this race is shaping up.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY PREDICTIONS:
1. Sinners – Autumn Durald Arkapaw (Warner Bros.) – CCA
2. One Battle After Another – Michael Bauman (Warner Bros.) – CCA
3. Frankenstein – Dan Laustsen (Netflix) – CCA
4. Hamnet – Lukasz Zal (Focus Features) – CCA
5. Train Dreams – Adolpho Veloso (Netflix) – CCA
IN CONTENTION:
Ballad of a Small Player – James Friend (Netflix)
Bugonia – Robbie Ryan (Focus Features)
Die My Love – Seamus McGarvey (MUBI)
F1 – Claudio Miranda (Apple Original Films) – CCA
Marty Supreme – Darius Khondji (A24)
Nouvelle Vague – David Chambille (Netflix)
Sentimental Value – Kasper Tuxen (NEON)
Sirāt – Mauro Herce (NEON)
Song Sung Blue – Amy Vincent (Focus Features)
Sound of Falling – Fabian Gamper (MUBI)
Wicked: For Good – Alice Brooks (Universal Pictures)
