The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that the final list of titles from which Oscar nominees will be selected included 323 feature-length films. Among them are “The Girl with the Needle” directed by Magnus von Horn and “The Green Border” by Agnieszka Holland. Holland's film was among 207 titles eligible for the best film category. The voting to select the nominees starts on Wednesday (January 8).
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – also known as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) – has published two lists of feature films that meet the formal conditions for this year's race for Oscar nominations. The first one – covering 323 titles – included productions qualifying for all general entry categories. Additionally, it contains the names of actresses and actors from individual films – who have a chance to be nominated in one of the four acting categories. The second one contains 207 titles qualifying for the best film category, the regulations of which impose additional formal conditions.
Among these 323 titles accepted for general competition, there were two films directed by Poles. These are “Girl with a Needle” directed by Swedish-Polish filmmaker Mangus von Horn and “Green Border” Agnieszka Holland. The latter production is also on the list of titles from which the ten nominees in the best film category will be selected. The regulations of the most important Oscar category impose a number of additional criteria on submitted films that they had to meet.
Polish chances for Oscar nominations
What does this mean in practice? The list of films that qualify for “general entry categories” is a list of productions that meet the basic formal conditions. The Academy explains: “Feature-length films must be commercially released theatrically in at least one of the six metropolitan areas of the United States: Los Angeles County, New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Illinois, and Dallas, Illinois.” Fort Worth, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia, from January 1 to December 31, 2024 and be shown for seven consecutive days in the same theater. Duration of the feature film must exceed 40 minutes.
Therefore, each of the films accepted on this list has a chance to be nominated in the following categories:
- acting (Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor),
- best photos,
- best costumes,
- best direction,
- best assembly,
- best song
- best music,
- best make-up,
- the best scenography,
- best sound,
- best special effects,
- best screenplay (adapted or original).
Of course, each of the above-mentioned categories has additional qualification conditions. In some cases – such as best original score, best song or best special effects – the Academy has released “shortlists” of films that are eligible for nomination in those specific categories. However, this does not change the fact that when voting in each category, members can choose among films approved by the Academy. Voting starts on Wednesday, January 8 and ends on Sunday, January 12. The list of nominations will be announced on Friday, January 17.
It is worth remembering that “The Green Border” and “Girl with a Needle” are not the only titles that may bring nominations to Polish creators. She was on both lists American-Polish co-production “Real Pain” directed by Jesse Eisenberg. One of its main producers is Ewa Puszczyńska, the cinematographer is Michał Dymek (who is also responsible for the photos for “Girl with a Needle”), and Mela Melak is responsible for the set design. Moreover, there is also a movie on the list “Fantastic Beings” directed by John Krasinski, to whom photos created Janusz Kamiński.
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Main photo source: Photo Agata Kubis/Kino Świat