For 90 years, Hollywood has turned its back on the promising young filmmakers of the early generations. The film industry has always been a far away land that only had space for anyone that was Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg, or someone like them. This didn’t leave much room for the new up and coming actors, directors, etc. Year after year, I’ve decided to stay awake and hope that I could identify with some of the people in that room. After about the 3rd time I decided to give up. The Academy Awards became just another long, boring award show on another Sunday night way after my bedtime. But on January 24, 2018, the nominations were announced. I waited for another list of the same actors, directors, etc, but instead, I received a pleasant surprise and got the complete opposite. A fresh, new list of people that really deserved their nominations. I am beyond excited for this year’s Academy Awards because, for the first time ever, I could see myself in the nominees. As awards season starts to die down, Hollywood is preparing to be born again with the new generation of filmmakers that will leave footprints for future generations, who are ready to make their mark in front of and behind the camera after this year.
This year’s Oscars offer the youngest nominees in decades, which is a huge milestone, and hopefully can pose as a stepping stone for filmmakers of the future. Most importantly, young boys, young girls, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and so many more deserve to have their story told, and finally they’re being heard. Here is a list of people who are helping bring those stories to life. All of which are making history while doing so.
History Makers and Nominees for the 90th Annual Academy Awards:
Greta Gerwig- First women in eight years to be nominated for Best Director, and fifth in the overall
Nominated Film: Lady Bird
Timothee Chalamet- Youngest best actor nominee in almost 80 years
Nominated Film: Call Me by Your Name
Octavia Spencer- First black actress to receive two consecutive Oscar nominations after already previously winning one
Nominated Film: The Shape of Water
Mary J. Blige- First person ever to be nominated for Best Original Song and Best Supporting Actress
Nominated Film: Mudbound
Rachel Morrison- First woman ever to be nominated for Best Cinematography
Nominated Film: Mudbound
Jordan Peele- Fifth black director is to be nominated for the Best Director title
Nominated Film: Get Out