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Oscars
2021
Discover the Oscar 2021 nominees and add them to your schedule to watch the movies.
Oscars 2021 (Academy Awards) — the Academy’s annual ceremony honoring standout achievements in cinema from the previous year.
DOCUMENTARY (Short Subject) 0
Winner of DOCUMENTARY (Short Subject) at the 2021 Oscars was Colette.
SHORT FILM (Animated) 0
Winner of SHORT FILM (Animated) at the 2021 Oscars was Se Algo Acontecer... Te Amo.
SHORT FILM (Live Action) 0
Winner of SHORT FILM (Live Action) at the 2021 Oscars was Dois Estranhos.
Best Picture 0
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors the year’s best feature film, recognizing the film’s overall achievement (producers).
Criteria: Nominations are determined by all eligible Academy voting members using a preferential (ranked-choice) ballot among eligible films.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible voting members, also using a preferential ballot.
Eligibility: Feature film eligible under the Academy’s general entry rules (format, qualifying run, and submission requirements).
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
Minari
Winner
Nomadland
Bela Vingança
O Som do Silêncio
Meu Pai
Os 7 de Chicago
Animated Feature Film 0
Winner of Animated Feature Film at the 2021 Oscars was Soul.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors the best animated feature film.
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Animation Branch per category rules and processes.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Animated feature eligible under the Academy’s general and animation-specific rules.
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
Dois Irmãos: Uma Jornada Fantástica
A Caminho da Lua
Winner
Soul
Wolfwalkers
DOCUMENTARY (Feature) 0
Winner of DOCUMENTARY (Feature) at the 2021 Oscars was Professor Polvo.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors the best documentary feature.
Criteria: Nominations follow category-specific rules and may include a shortlist prior to final nominations.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members (with viewing requirements where applicable).
Eligibility: Documentaries eligible under the Academy’s general and documentary-specific rules.
International Feature Film 0
Winner of International Feature Film at the 2021 Oscars was Druk: Mais Uma Rodada.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors the best international feature submitted by a country (outside the U.S.), per Academy rules.
Criteria: Nominations follow category-specific rules, including national submission eligibility and shortlist processes.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members (subject to viewing requirements where applicable).
Eligibility: Must meet country submission requirements and the International Feature Film rules.
Directing 0
Winner of Directing at the 2021 Oscars was Chloé Zhao.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Recognizes the director’s achievement in shaping the film’s artistic and storytelling vision.
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Directors Branch through branch voting among eligible works.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Eligible directors and works per category-specific rules and the Academy’s general entry rules.
Actor in a Leading Role 0
Winner of Actor in a Leading Role at the 2021 Oscars was Anthony Hopkins.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors the best performance by an actor in a leading role.
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Actors Branch. Typically 5 nominees per category rules.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Performance in an eligible feature; performances fully dubbed by another actor are not eligible (Academy rules).
Actress in a Leading Role 0
Winner of Actress in a Leading Role at the 2021 Oscars was Frances McDormand.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors the best performance by an actress in a leading role.
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Actors Branch via branch voting.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Performance in an eligible feature; general and acting-specific rules apply.
Actor in a Supporting Role 0
Winner of Actor in a Supporting Role at the 2021 Oscars was Daniel Kaluuya.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors the best performance by an actor in a supporting role.
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Actors Branch.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Performance in an eligible feature; acting-specific rules apply.
Actress in a Supporting Role 0
Winner of Actress in a Supporting Role at the 2021 Oscars was 윤여정.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors the best performance by an actress in a supporting role.
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Actors Branch.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Performance in an eligible feature; acting-specific rules apply.
Writing (Original Screenplay) 0
Winner of Writing (Original Screenplay) at the 2021 Oscars was Bela Vingança.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors the best original screenplay, written directly for the screen (not adapted).
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Writers Branch via branch voting.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Eligible screenplays and films per the Academy’s general and writing rules.
Screenplay by Darius Marder & Abraham Marder; Story by Darius Marder & Derek Cianfrance
Screenplay by Will Berson & Shaka King; Story by Will Berson & Shaka King and Kenny Lucas & Keith Lucas
Written by Aaron Sorkin
Winner
Written by Emerald Fennell
Written by Lee Isaac Chung
Writing (Adapted Screenplay) 0
Winner of Writing (Adapted Screenplay) at the 2021 Oscars was Meu Pai.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors the best adapted screenplay based on previously published or produced material.
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Writers Branch via branch voting.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Eligible screenplays and films per the Academy’s general and writing rules.
Winner
Screenplay by Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller
Screenplay by Kemp Powers
Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Dan Swimer & Peter Baynham & Erica Rivinoja & Dan Mazer & Jena Friedman & Lee Kern; Story by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Dan Swimer & Nina Pedrad
Written for the screen by Chloé Zhao
Written for the screen by Ramin Bahrani
Cinematography 0
Winner of Cinematography at the 2021 Oscars was Erik Messerschmidt.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Recognizes cinematography (image capture, lighting, framing, and visual language).
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Cinematographers Branch.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Eligible films and individuals per the Academy’s general and cinematography rules.
Film Editing 0
Winner of Film Editing at the 2021 Oscars was Mikkel E.G. Nielsen.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Recognizes film editing (rhythm, narrative construction, and continuity).
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Editors Branch.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Eligible films and individuals per the Academy’s general and editing rules.
Production Design 0
Winner of Production Design at the 2021 Oscars was Mank.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors production design (sets, environments, and overall production art direction).
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Production Design Branch.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Eligible films and credited individuals per the Academy’s Production Design rules.
Production Design: David Crank; Set Decoration: Elizabeth Keenan
Winner
Production Design: Donald Graham Burt; Set Decoration: Jan Pascale
Production Design: Mark Ricker; Set Decoration: Karen O'Hara and Diana Stoughton
Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Kathy Lucas
Production Design: Peter Francis; Set Decoration: Cathy Featherstone
Costume Design 0
Winner of Costume Design at the 2021 Oscars was Ann Roth.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors costume design conceived for the characters and story context.
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Costume Designers Branch.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: To be eligible, costumes must be conceived by a costume designer (per Academy rules).
Makeup and Hairstyling 0
Winner of Makeup and Hairstyling at the 2021 Oscars was A Voz Suprema do Blues.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Recognizes makeup and hairstyling, including prosthetics and transformations.
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Makeup and Hairstyling branch, with category-specific procedures (e.g., shortlist/bake-off where applicable).
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Eligible films and credits per the Academy’s Makeup and Hairstyling rules.
Eryn Krueger Mekash, Matthew Mungle and Patricia Dehaney
Gigi Williams, Kimberley Spiteri and Colleen LaBaff
Marese Langan, Laura Allen and Claudia Stolze
Mark Coulier, Dalia Colli and Francesco Pegoretti
Winner
Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson
Visual Effects 0
Winner of Visual Effects at the 2021 Oscars was Tenet.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Recognizes excellence in visual effects (VFX), including integration and technical/artistic innovation.
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Visual Effects branch per category rules and processes.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Eligible films and credited individuals per the Academy’s Visual Effects rules.
Winner
Andrew Jackson, David Lee, Andrew Lockley and Scott Fisher
Matthew Kasmir, Christopher Lawrence, Max Solomon and David Watkins
Matt Sloan, Genevieve Camilleri, Matt Everitt and Brian Cox
Nick Davis, Greg Fisher, Ben Jones and Santiago Colomo Martinez
Sean Faden, Anders Langlands, Seth Maury and Steve Ingram
Sound 0
Winner of Sound at the 2021 Oscars was O Som do Silêncio.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors overall sound achievement (recording, editing, and mixing) as a combined category.
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Sound Branch, following category rules and any required steps (shortlist, etc.).
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Eligible films and credited individuals per the Academy’s Sound rules.
Winner
Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michellee Couttolenc, Carlos Cortés and Phillip Bladh
Oliver Tarney, Mike Prestwood Smith, William Miller and John Pritchett
Ren Klyce, Coya Elliott and David Parker
Ren Klyce, Jeremy Molod, David Parker, Nathan Nance and Drew Kunin
Warren Shaw, Michael Minkler, Beau Borders and David Wyman
Music (Original Score) 0
Winner of Music (Original Score) at the 2021 Oscars was Soul.
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors the best original score composed for the film.
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Music Branch per category rules and processes.
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Eligible scores and films per the Academy’s Music (Original Score) rules.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Winner
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste
Music (Original Song) 0
Learn more about the category
About the category: Honors the best original song written specifically for a motion picture.
Criteria: Nominations are determined by the Music Branch, following category rules (including eligibility and, where applicable, shortlist).
How the winner is decided: The winner is chosen by all eligible Academy voting members.
Eligibility: Eligible songs must meet originality and film-connection requirements per Academy rules.
Music and Lyric by Leslie Odom, Jr. and Sam Ashworth
Music and Lyric by Savan Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus and Rickard Göransson
Music by Daniel Pemberton; Lyric by Daniel Pemberton and Celeste Waite
Music by Diane Warren; Lyric by Diane Warren and Laura Pausini
Winner
Music by H.E.R. and Dernst Emile II; Lyric by H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas