Oscar predictions 2017

Every year my work colleagues and I attempt to predict who will take home the Oscars in the ten “main” categories.  I usually – but by no means always – do reasonably well, so here are my predictions for 2017’s awards ceremony.

Remember, these are who I think will win, not who I think should win!

Best picture – La La Land

After picking up a BAFTA, Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award, the momentum certainly seems to be behind La La Land taking the top prize.

Other nominees:
Arrival
Fences
Hacksaw Ridge
Hell or High Water
Hidden Figures
Lion
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight

Best actress – Emma Stone (La La Land)

While there’s a slim chance that Natalie Portman could be a dark horse (given her success at the Critics’ Choice Awards), this one seems to be Emma Stone’s to lose.

Other nominees:
Isabelle Huppert – Elle
Ruth Negga - Loving
Natalie Portman – Jackie
Meryl Streep - Florence Foster Jenkins

Best actor – Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea)

I may end up regretting this prediction, as Denzel Washington could snatch this following his win at the SAG Awards…

Other nominees:
Andrew Garfield - Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling - La La Land
Viggo Mortensen - Captain Fantastic
Denzel Washington – Fences

Best supporting actress – Viola Davis (Fences)

Having cleaned up at the BAFTAs, Golden Globes, SAG Awards and Critics’ Choice Awards, Viola Davis has to pretty much be a shoo-in for the Oscar!

Other nominees:
Naomie Harris - Moonlight
Nicole Kidman - Lion
Octavia Spencer - Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams - Manchester by the Sea

Best supporting actor – Mahershala Ali (Moonlight)

While I think there’s scope for an upset here, Mahershala Ali has to be the favourite, especially after finding success at the SAG Awards and Critics’ Choice Awards.

Other nominees:
Jeff Bridges - Hell or High Water
Lucas Hedges - Manchester by the Sea
Dev Patel – Lion
Michael Shannon - Nocturnal Animals

Best director - Damien Chazelle (La La Land)

Having picked up every major directing award so far this season, surely Damien Chazelle can’t lose now?

Other nominees:
Denis Villeneuve - Arrival
Mel Gibson - Hacksaw Ridge
Kenneth Lonergan - Manchester by the Sea
Barry Jenkins - Moonlight

Best adapted screenplay – Moonlight (Barry Jenkins and Alvin McCraney)

I’ll admit it … this is an absolute shot in the dark!

Other nominees:
Arrival - Eric Heisserer
Fences - August Wilson
Hidden Figures - Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi
Lion - Luke Davies

Best original screenplay – Manchester by the Sea (Kenneth Lonergan)

I wouldn’t say I’m confident about this prediction either, but barring a surprise win for La La Land (again), I think Manchester by the Sea has the momentum behind it.

Other nominees:
20th Century Women - Mike Mills
Hell or High Water - Taylor Sheridan
La La Land - Damien Chazelle
The Lobster - Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou

Best cinematography - La La Land (Linus Sandgren)

I’m quietly confident that La La Land has all the awards buzz as far as cinematography is concerned.

Other nominees:
Arrival - Bradford Young
Lion - Greig Fraser
Moonlight - James Laxton
Silence - Rodrigo Prieto

Best costume design – Jackie (Madeline Fontaine)

Possibly the hardest category to call this year, I think all of the nominees (with the possible exception of Allied) are in with a chance of winning here.

Other nominees:
Allied - Joanna Johnston
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Colleen Atwood
Florence Foster Jenkins - Consolata Boyle
La La Land - Mary Zophres

So there you have it – come back after the Oscars on 26 February to see how I did!  Last year I got 7/10, so I’m hoping to beat that this year…