The Oscars are no stranger to controversy. The #OscarsSoWhite campaign revealed the ugly truth about Hollywood's diversity problem, but that didn't stop creatives of color from filming brilliant stories from all different angles and perspectives. Films like Fences, Hidden Figures and Moonlight made a major impact this past year, with all three battling for the Best Picture award. All three films are also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. Denzel Washington and Ruth Negga scored Lead Actor & Actress nominations, while Octavia Spencer, Mahershala Ali, Viola Davis and Naomie Harris up for Best Supporting Actor & Actress nominations. Davis is the first black actress to earn 3 Oscar nominations.
As for history, Kimberly Steward of Manchester by the Sea is now the second female producer nominated for Best Picture after Oprah Winfrey for Selma, and Bradford Young of Arrival is the second black person ever nominated for Best Cinematography. Joi McMillon is the first black woman to get an Oscar nomination in film editing for Moonlight (she was nominated with Nat Sanders).
Important documentaries like I Am Not Your Negro and 13th were also recognized. All in all, Moonlight got 8 nods, Fences got 4 and Hidden Figures got 3.
We see you, Oscars.
Take a look at what other films scored nominations this year:
BEST PICTURE
La La Land
Moonlight
Manchester by the Sea
Arrival
Lion
Hacksaw Ridge
Hidden Figures
Fences
Hell or High Water
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ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Emma Stone, La La Land
Natalie Portman, Jackie
Amy Adams, Arrival
Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins
Isabelle Huppert, Elle
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ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea
Denzel Washington, Fences
Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic
Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge
Tom Hanks, Sully
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ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Viola Davis, Fences
Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Nicole Kidman, Lion
Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams, Manchester By The Sea
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ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water
Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Dev Patel, Lion
Michael Shannon, Nocturnal Animals
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CINEMATOGRAPHY
Arrival
La La Land
Lion
Moonlight
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SOUND MIXING
Arrival
Hacksaw Ridge
LaLa Land
Rogue One
13 Hours
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VISUAL EFFECTS
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
The Jungle Book
Doctor Strange
Fantastic Beats and Where to Find Them
Arrival
The BFG
Kubo and the Two Strings
A Monster Calls
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DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE)
Fire At Sea
I am Not Your Negro
Life Animated
OJ: Made in America
13th
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MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
A Man Called Ove
Star Trek Beyond
Suicide Squad
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WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
Moonlight
Lion
Hacksaw Ridge
Arrival
Fences
Hidden Figures
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