We had one film release this past weekend with the potential for Oscar nominations.

Nomadland

Director Chloe Zhao’s meditation on wanderlust homelessness follows Frances McDormand on her American walkabout, exploring the American Midwest and it’s almost forgotten struggles. The film enters this year’s Oscar race after a successful fall festival run that included the Golden Lion at Venice and the People’s Choice Award at Toronto.

Films that have such a storied rise through the festival circuit, especially with prize wins like these, become instant contenders for Oscars. There’s little doubt that the film will compete in several prominent categories, including Best Picture, Directing, Actress (McDormand), Adapted Screenplay, and Cinematography among others. McDormand already has two Oscars or she would likely be considered the frontrunner for this year’s Oscars. The cinematography also looks to be a major player. However, I doubt that the film does much better than these categories and wins aren’t completely unlikely, but not very exception either.