There were a lot of expectations for the2020 Oscar nominations. After a year filled with a number of phenomenal films from female directors – fromLittle WomentoThe FarewelltoHustlers– many individuals were holding out hope that this new decade would kick off with some progressive news in the award circuit. Unfortunately, this year’s Oscar nominations proved to be primarily male-dominated once again, especially in the Best Director category. To some people, the Oscars may seem like just another reason for Hollywood to dress up and show off while winning golden trophies – which, in a way, they certainly are – but to new or independent filmmakers, winning an Oscar can provide a gateway to a long and fruitful career. Believe it or not, but awards season actually plays a big role in helping filmmakers, especially female filmmakers.
I truly believe thatOlivia Wildesaid it best during an interview withIndiewire. Although there’s no way to compare art, she explains that “within this industry, which is a business, awards open doors […] and they’re very connected to how people are compensated.” Even when it comes to bridging the wage gap between men and women, “if we’re striving for parity, the awards conversation is a part of that. Awards lead to bonuses, salary increases […] awards do affect opportunities and fairness for women. In a twisted way, they matter.” This is exactly why it’s important to continue having this conversation. The Oscars aren’t just about winning a golden statue, they’re the next move in Hollywood’s game of chess that gets us one step closer to checkmate.
Even though the Best Director category shut out some phenomenal female filmmakers this year, it doesn’t mean that they shuteveryoneout. There are plenty of incredible women working behind the camera who received nominations and deserve recognition as well. As we head into Oscars weekend, we want to celebrate all of the women working behind the camera who are nominated this year, so here’s your deep-dive introduction to this year’s behind-the-camera female nominees.
Best Picture
Jenno Topping(producer) -Ford v Ferrari
Kicking off our Best Picture nominees is producer Jenno Topping forFord v Ferrari,which follows car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles as they attempt to build a race car for Ford and then challenge Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.This film marks Topping’s second Academy Award nomination as a producer, followingHidden Figureswhich was nominated in 2017. Her career kicked off in 1995 and she’s helped bring a variety of incredible films to the big screen, ranging fromDawn of the Planet of the ApestoThe Greatest Showman.
But her love of films doesn’t just stop there. During an interview with theProducer’s Guild, she exclaimed that she loves to tell stories about “unlikely heroes or heroines,” and wants to make people “see the world through a different point of view.” This is a big reason why she lovesFord v Ferrariso much, and that passion is clearly reflected in directorJames Mangold’s final product.
Jane Rosenthal(producer) -The Irishman
Originally, Rosenthal worked at Disney as a VP of Production and Development, until the day she met Martin Scorsese. He introduced her to Robert De Niro and a producing partnership blossomed that’s lasted since 1989. She’s the co-founder (alongside Robert De Niro), CEO, and executive chair of Tribeca Enterprises. This company is the home to Tribeca Productions, the Tribeca Film Festival, Tribeca Studios, and the Tribeca Film Institute.
When it comes toThe Irishman, Rosenthal had worked to get the film off the ground since 2007. Strangely enough, Paramount Pictures was skeptical at first about green lighting the project. Originally, it was meant to be a film about a retired hitman calledThe Winter of Frankie Machine, but Rosenthal, Scorsese, and De Niro pushed for an adaptation ofI Heard You Paint Housesinstead. Thankfully, the latter pulled through and became a monumental success.
Emma Tillinger Koskoff(producer) -The Irishman&Joker
Not only is Koskoff nominated forThe Irishman, alongside Rosenthal, but she also scored a nomination forJoker.This is hardly her first go-around when it comes to awards as well, as she’s also received a Primetime Emmy Award forGeorge Harrison: Living in the Material Worldin 2012 and a Hollywood Film Award forThe Irishmanlast year. She was also previously nominated for an Academy Award in 2014 for Scorsese’sThe Wolf of Wall Street.
Koskoff is mainly known for her collaborations with Scorsese. She joined his production company, Sikelia Productions, back in 2003. Originally starting off as his assistant, she was later promoted to Production President in 2006 and has reigned ever since. Not only is she the mastermind producer behindThe IrishmanandJoker,but she also helped bring The Safdie Brothers’ filmUncut Gemsto the bring screen last year. Truly, she’s a superhero.
Chelsea Winstanley(producer) -Jojo Rabbit
Not only is Winstanley the producer behind this wonderful feature, but she also recently launched her own production company calledThis Too Shall Pass! The company will mainly serve as a vehicle for her own writing and directing projects, and has already set its first movie which will also be her feature film debut. TitledThe Appeal, the movie centers on a major legal case that took place in New Zealand.
Prior to producingJojo Rabbit,Winstanley also producedWhat We Do in the Shadows.Coincidentally, both of these films were also directed by her husband, Taika Waititi. What’s even more exciting is that this Academy Award nomination marks Winstanley’s first. There’s no doubt that her new year is off to a phenomenal start.
Amy Pascal(producer) -Little Women
Bringing Gerwig’s adaptation ofLittle Womento the big screen was no easy feat, and Amy Pascal played a massive role in helping to bring her vision to life. Pascal has been a powerhouse producer in Hollywood since the 80’s, working with such big name studios as 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures, Turner Pictures, and Sony Pictures before going solo.Little Womenmarks the second Best Picture nomination for Pascal and her company, Pascal Pictures. The first being forThe Postin 2018.
Pascal’s outpouring of love forLittle Womenhas been felt ever since the movie was released. She was determined for the world to see Gerwig’s story, and the positive response proved that audiences crave more stories like this. Not only that, butLittle Women’sBest Picture nomination marks only the third in the academy’s 92-year history that’s produced, written, and directed solely by a woman. Pascal is a force to be reckoned with, and her solo nomination is certainly worth celebrating.
Pippa HarrisandJayne-Ann Tenggren(producers) -1917
1917was an incredibly captivating film, and already seems like it’s on track to be the big winner on Sunday night. What’s even better is that this film had two incredible women who helped bring it to the big screen: Pippa Harris, through Neal Street Productions which was co-founded with directorSam Mendes, and Jayne-Ann Tenggren. This also marks their first nomination ever at the Academy Awards.
1917actually had a number of women working on set in key creative roles during the filmmaking process. Harris opened up in an interview withVarietythat their company, Neal Street Productions, maintains a 50-50 gender balance. Not only is that worth celebrating, but both Tenggren and Harris serve as a reminder to Hollywood that women are just as capable as men of bringing an immersive war story to the silver screen.
Shannon McIntosh(producer) -Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood
Shannon McIntosh is a frequent collaborator withQuentin Tarantinoand has already garnered an award this year for her work on his filmOnce Upon A Time… In Hollywood.Recently, the producer won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Tarantino’s latest, making this thrilling victory her very first win.
Previously, McIntosh worked with Tarantino as a producer onThe Hateful Eightand an executive producer onDeath ProofandDjango Unchained. This time around, though, Tarantino’s ode to old Hollywood marked her very first Oscar nomination, and an exciting one at that. And thankfully, her producing days are far from over. Her production company, McIntosh Films, recently set a four-picture deal through Evolution Pictures and GFM Films. So expect to see more of her soon!
Kwak Sin Ae(producer) -Parasite
Not only is Kwak Sin Ae nominated for Best Picture, but she’s also nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category! For good reason as well.Parasiteis a film that captivated audiences all over the world and broke a number of records during its award season run on top of that. Ever since it won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival,Parasitehas been on an incredible award-winning streak ever since. Hopefully, the Oscars will see the film winning even more awards.
Sin Ae is the CEO of Barunson Entertainment & Arts Corporation, which is based in Seoul, South Korea. This film marked her third time being credited as an executive producer on a film and her first ever Academy Award nomination. The producer’s work has just begun as well, as she’s expressed that she’d love to team up with directorBong Joon Hoagain on another project. Hopefully, another exciting feature from the duo will make its way onto the big screen soon.
Original Screenplay
Krysty Wilson-Cairns- co-writer1917
Alongside Sam Mendes, Krysty Wilson-Cairns helped write this phenomenal one-shot war film. Wilson-Cairns did an extensive amount of research about World War I to make sure that the film’s immersive atmosphere covered every detail, big and small, about the war and those involved. What’s even more impressive is that this film is her first feature film credit, but she has even more writing surprises up her sleeve that are coming out fairly soon.
Wilson-Cairns also co-wrote the screenplay forEdgar Wright’s highly anticipated horror filmLast Night in Soho, which is set to hit theaters this September. Not only that, but she also recently teamed up with the Russo Brothers and their production company, AGBO Films, to write a televised adaptation of Evan Ratliff’s bookThe Mastermind: Drugs. Empire. Murder. Betrayal.for Amazon Studios. Hopefully, an Oscar win will be the cherry on top of what’s already been a banner year for her.
Adapted Screenplay
Greta Gerwig-Little Women
Greta Gerwig is both a phenomenal writeranddirector. Although it’s heartbreaking to not see her acknowledged for the latter, it’s still exciting to see her beautiful script receive recognition. Her take onLouisa May Alcott’s classic story was fresh, adventurous, and inspiring. She’s explained numerous times in interviews that she grew up with the novel and that the characters felt like they were a part of her. It’s clear that she’s passionate about the story, and it showed in her film. She deepened Alcott’s words, themes, and characters, creating a rich and profound adaptation.
Gerwig is no stranger to this, either. She had the same complex character development in her feature film debut,Lady Bird, which provided an interesting new outlook on the coming-of-age story. And withLittle Women,she offered a unique perspective on the story to the audience, which proved to be a monumental success in the end.
Original Song
Diane Warren- “I’m Standing With You” fromBreakthrough
Diane Warren has been a successful songwriter since the 80s, and has already been nominated for 11 Academy Awards. She’s actually cultivated a number of awards over the course of her career. She won a Golden Globe in 2011, a Grammy in 1988, and an Emmy in 2016, amongst a flurry of other awards and nominations. Hopefully, this year will see the songwriterfinallytake home an Oscar as well.
Speaking of the Oscars, her latest nomination comes from the filmBreakthroughand is sung byChrissy Metz, who also starred in the film which centers on the near-drowning of a young boy in Missouri and his unbelievable recovery. It’s an emotional song that plays over the film’s end credits, and Metz will actually be singing at this year’s ceremony.
Kristen Anderson-Lopez- “Into The Unknown” (co-writer) fromFrozen 2
Many fans of the originalFrozenwere anxious to see what musical mastery would be in store for its highly anticipated sequel. Thankfully, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and her husband, Robert Lopez, wrote a tune that was just as catchy as its predecessor’s irresistible breakout, “Let It Go”. Not only that, but it sawIdina Menzel, once again, taking the reigns with her powerhouse vocals to perform this Elsa-led hit.
Menzel actually had two songs tailor-made for Elsa inFrozen 2,but “Into The Unknown” quickly became a fan favorite. It’s truly no surprise that this song received a nomination, and it’s certainly well-deserved for Lopez. Previously, Lopez won the Academy Award in this category back in 2013 and 2017 for co-writing “Let It Go” and “Remember Me” from Pixar’sCoco, respectively. It wouldn’t be surprising to see her take home the trophy once again for Walt Disney Animation’s record-breaking sequel.
Cynthia Erivo- “Stand Up” (co-writer) fromHarriet
Not only is Cynthia Erivo an incredibly talented singer/songwriter, but she’s also a phenomenal actress who’s nominated in this year’s Best Actress category as well. Both nominations mark her first with the Academy Awards, but she’s won a number of awards previously, including a Daytime Emmy, a Tony, and a Grammy. She also won the Hollywood Film Award recently for Breakout Actress for her performance inHarriet,which is only her third feature film.
It’s clear that Erivo is an exceptional talent, and her work is a beautiful reflection of that. Her nominated song “Stand Up”, which plays overHarriet’s end credits, was co-written by Erivo, with the help ofJoshuah Brian Campbell. Not only that, but she sings it as well. She’ll also be taking to the Oscars stage this Sunday to perform the song, and it’s sure to be a breathtaking performance.
Animated Feature Film
Bonnie Arnold(producer) -How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Bonnie Arnold is currently the president of feature animation for DreamWorks Animation, but has also worked as a producer with Walt Disney Animation and Pixar. She helped bring the entireHow to Train Your Dragontrilogy to life. Not to mention, she was also nominated for Best Animated Feature in 2015 forHow to Train Your Dragon 2. Clearly, it’s a series that’s close to her heart.
Arnold was incredibly passionate about theHow to Train Your Dragonfranchise and wanted to make sure its final film provided a proper ending to the trilogy. With the incredible technology that’s now available to animators, there are barely any limits when it comes to storytelling. During an interview withDeadline, she explained that there’s, “never been a better time for storytellers and filmmakers, because the appetite for this has not gone away.” Hopefully, Arnold’s next project will kick off another captivating animated franchise.
Jinko GotohandMarisa Román(producers) -Klaus
Klaustells the story of a postman who is sent to a town in the North where he discovers Santa Claus is hiding. It’s an animated film that’s currently available on Netflix, but what many people don’t know is how hard producers Jinko Gotoh and Marisa Román fought to have gender parity on the project. Not only did they fight for it, but they came incredibly close to achieving it.
During a behind-the-scenes clip fromNetflix, Gotoh explains that more than 60% of students studying animation are women, but they her and Román kept wondering why they aren’t in the workplace. So, her and Román worked especially hard to hire animators from several different countries and strived to reach gender parity organically. In the end, over 43% of their team was women.Thatis absolutely worth celebrating from these two phenomenal producers.
Arianne Sutner(producer) -Missing Link
LAIKA animation is constantly churning out impressive, well-told stories, and Arianne Sutner is one of the many brilliant producers working behind the scenes. Not only did she bringMissing Linkto the big screen,but alsoKubo and the Two Strings, which garnered her an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature in 2017.
Missing Linkmarks LAIKA’s fifth stop-motion feature and fifth Academy Award nomination. Shockingly, the studio is yet to win an Oscar. Considering the unbelievable amount of time and effort that goes into creating their detailed set pieces and characters, it’s difficult to believe the company hasn’t won one yet. Regardless, Sutner remains committed to telling creative, original stories. In a world that’s filled with sequels and remakes, her dedication to bringing audiences something new and different in the world of animation will always be appreciated.
Makeup & Hairstyling
Anne MorganandVivian Baker-Bombshell
The transformation that Charlize Theron made into former Fox host Megyn Kelly was truly a sight to behold. She looked almostexactlylike her, and that’s all thanks to the brilliant makeup, prosthetics, and hairstyling team working behind the scenes. Anne Morgan, who led the hair department, and Vivian Baker, who led the makeup department, are just two of the women that helped transform theBombshellcast, and their work was astonishing.
Not only was Theron’s transformation an incredible one to watch, but even Kidman’s iteration of Gretchen Carlson was almost spot on. Lest we forget about John Lithgow’s transformation into the creepy and horrific Roger Ailes, either. Every character looked incredibly similar to the real life person they were portraying, making Morgan and Baker’s work an absolute stand out for this award season.
Nicki LedermannandKay Georgiou-Joker
Jokerwas a movie that captivated people for a number of different reasons, but Phoenix’s performance was the standout for many. Not only for his mannerisms and actions, but also for how he looked. This was all thanks to Nicki Ledermann and Kay Georgiuo, two of the women that helped bring Phoenix’s unsettling Clown Prince of Crime to life.
Ledermann was the head of the makeup department, while Georgiou ran the hair department. What makes their work so impressive is how gradually they took Phoenix’s “clown” appearance from the start of the film and transformed it into something more maniacal by the end. In an interview withTHR, both women exclaim how there’s four to five different “Joker” looks for Phoenix throughout the film, and each look maintains continuity with the last even as the character changes. Their attention-to-detail was absolutely incredible and helped to create a new memorable version of the character.
Naomi DonneandRebecca Cole-1917
There are a number of things that make1917such an amazing movie. From the harrowing and gripping narrative to Roger Deakins’ impressive cinematography, there are plenty of aspects that helped immersive viewers into the tragic and terrifying environment of World War I. But, the film’s haunting atmosphere wouldn’t have been complete without the hair and makeup team to make the actors look the part of soldiers.
Naomi Donne and Rebecca Cole are two of the women in hair and makeup who aided in this process. But, unlike most projects, Mendes’ ambitious feature was shot in sequences in order to appear as one take. This meant that both Donne and Cole had to work extra hard to maintain continuity between shots. Thankfully, their hard work paid off and the end result proved to be an incredible piece of art.
Film Editing
Thelma Schoonmaker-The Irishman
Thelma Schoonmaker has worked withMartin Scorsesefor over 50 years. Originally, she edited his very first picture, a student film calledWho’s That Knocking At My Door, back in 1967 and then went on to editRaging Bullfor him in 1980. Since then, she’s edited all of his films. This nomination also marks her eighth overall with The Academy. On top of that, she also has 3 Oscars already under her belt for her work onRaging Bull,The Aviator, andThe Departed.
It’s clear that Schoonmaker is a force to be reckoned with, and her partnership with Scorsese surely won’t be ending anytime soon. His latest feature,The Irishman, is one that Schoonmaker believes to be his boldest film to date with powerful performances to top it all off. She’s patient and attentive when it comes to figuring out exactly what kind of tone and pacing Scorsese wants, perfectly executing each scene to have a satisfying payoff. She has been, and will continue to be, one of the greatest editors out there. Perhaps this year will see her winning her fourth Academy Award.
Production Design
Regina Graves(set decoration) -The Irishman
Alongside Scorsese’s latest picture, Regina Graves is also well-known for having worked onThe Cafe SocietyandBlue Jasmine. From television to film, she’s decorated incredible sets for a number of different projects. This nomination, in particular, marks her first with The Academy, but she’s previously been nominated for numerous other awards in the realms of both film and television. She also has a Primetime Emmy award under her belt for her work onThe Knickin 2015.
TacklingThe Irishman’s set was no easy feat, either. There were nearly 300 different sets that her and her team dressed. Each one had impeccable details that added to the film’s already immersive atmosphere. It’s clear that Graves is an incredible talent, and she’ll be bringing that talent to the small screen next with theSopranosprequel movie,The Many Saints of Newark.
Nora Sopková(set decoration) -Jojo Rabbit
Prior toJojo Rabbit,Czech set decorator Nora Sopková also decorated the sets forPersonal ShopperandA Royal Affair, just to name a few projects. She’s been in the industry for 14 years, but her work onTaika Waititi’s latest film is the first that has garnered her awards recognition. This Academy Award nomination is her very first one, and it’s incredibly well deserved.
Since a slice of the film was shot in the Czech Republic, production designer Ra Vincent wanted to bring on a Czech team to help bring the film to life. This is where Sopková came in. She truly helped bring Waititi’s vision to the big screen and created a very immersive atmosphere for the film’s setting and story.
Barbara Ling(production design),Nancy Haigh(set decoration) -Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood
Once Upon A Time… In Hollywoodbeautifully captured the City of Angels and everything that people love most about Tinseltown. Barbara Ling and Nancy Haigh are two of the women to thank for that. They expertly recreated 1969 Hollywood and helped bring Tarantino’s latest film to life in all of its vibrant, technicolor glory. Truly, his iconic vision wouldn’t have been possible without them.
Haigh has frequently teamed up with Tarantino in the past, but this film marked Ling’s first time working with the director. It’s also the latter’s first Oscar nomination, which is exciting news on its own. This duo worked tirelessly by incorporating 1969 design into current locations sprinkled throughout Los Angeles. Clearly, their hard work has paid off, as the end result is incredible and well worth all of its nominations.
International Feature
Aneta Cebula-Hickinbotham(producer) -Corpus Christi
Inspired by a true story, this polish film tells the story of a man named Daniel who has a spiritual awakening while doing time in a youth detention center. Unfortunately, his criminal background prevents him from becoming a priest once he’s released. But after being mistaken for one, he soon begins to provide ministry in a small parish.
This film debuted at the 2019 Venice Film Festival and went on to win the Europa Cinemas Label Award. After that, it was shown in the Contemporary World Cinema section at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Aneta Cebula-Hickinbotham serves as a producer on the film and this nomination marks her first with The Academy. Prior to this film, she was also the Production Manager on 2009’sThe Internationaland 2005’sThe Legend of Zorro.
Tamara Kotevska(co-director) -Honeyland
Tamara Kotevska is also nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category forHoneyland.The film follows the life of a beekeeper named Hatidze Muratova who lives in a remote village called Bekirlija in North Macedonia. It chronicles how her life changes after a nomad family moves into the house next door. Shooting the film lasted three years and both Kotevska and her co-director,Ljubomir Stefavnov, collected a total of four hours worth of footage, and the end result was a beautifully done documentary with a wealth of knowledge to share.
Kotevska’s direction provided an insightful look at climate change and our behavior towards natural resources. Not only was this film the most awarded at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, where it premiered, but it’s also the first film in the Academy Awards’ history to be nominated for both Best Documentary and Best Foreign Film. That is worthy of celebration on its own!
Esther García(producer) -Pain and Glory
The latest film fromPedro Almodóvaris one that captivated audiences the world over. Led by an A-list cast, the semi-autobiographical story centers on a film director named Salvador Mallo and recalls a series of encounters throughout his life. The film made its grand debut at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and was even chosen by Time as the best film of the year.
One of the powerhouse producers behind this film was Esther García, who is also known for having worked on 2016’sJulietaand 2006’sVolver. A frequent collaborator with Almodóvar, she began her career in 1975 and has worked with the director since 1986. Previously, García won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film alongside Almodóvar back in 1999 forAll About My Mother.
Documentary Short Subject
Carol Dysinger(director) andElena Andreicheva(producer) -Learning To Skateboard In A Warzone (If You’re A Girl)
Director Carol Dysinger and producer Elena Andreicheva helped to bring this masterful documentary to life. The film tells the story of a school in Kabul called Skateistan that teaches kids how to skateboard. Mainly, the school prides itself on teaching young Afghan girls. It’s an opportunity that’s almost unheard of in a place like Afghanistan, and the documentary shines light on a positive space in the war-torn country.
During an interview withDeadline, Dysinger recalled how incredible it was to see the school in action. She exclaims that the school “means the world to them,” and that she’s never seen kids “so hungry to learn and just so happy to learn, because they know it’s not a given.” It’s a documentary that’s short but sweet. Not only that, but the production had an all-female crew, making for a powerful statement on top of an already powerful story.
Kristine Samuelson(co-director) -Life Overtakes Me
This documentary, which is currently available on Netflix, follows a couple different families in Sweden as they experience something called Resignation Syndrome. Mainly, Resignation Syndrome is affecting families who are seeking asylum or fleeing a more dangerous area. It’s a physical manifestation of trauma that is affecting hundreds of refugee children. Even worse… it’s life-threatening.
Kristine Samuelson co-directed this film along with doing the sound editing. This is also her second Oscar nomination, with her first being for the documentary shortArthur and Lilliein 1975. Over the course of a year, she gathered as much information as she could from the families that they worked with. Not only that, but their story is an important one for the world to see. Stress, anxiety, and trauma manifest in different ways, this film explores one of the many horrifying ways that’s happening now as we speak.
Smriti Mundhra(co-director) -St. Louis Superman
This film centers on an activist and battle rapper in Ferguson, Missouri, named Bruce Franks Jr. who went on to win a seat in the Missouri state legislature. Following the shooting of Michael Brown in 2014, he saw an opportunity to help his community and make a difference, landing him with the nickname “St. Louis Superman”. This documentary shines a light on a small piece of positive change that’s happening in our country, something many of us need to see right now.
Smriti Mundhra co-directed this documentary and this nomination marks her first with The Academy. Prior to this nomination,St. Louis Supermanhad received numerous nominations and wins from a variety of different festivals, making Mundhra a phenomenal talent worth keeping on your radar.
Laura Nix(director) andColette Sandstedt(producer) -Walk Run Cha-Cha
Laura Nix’s heartwarming documentary centers on a middle-aged couple named Paul and Millie Cao who learn to ballroom dance. But, exploring their intriguing love story is merely the surface level of Nix’s film. More importantly, this documentary is a celebration of cultural diversity, and how that’s whatreallymakes America great.
Alongside this film, Nix also has a fantasticNew York Timesop-ed that digs in deeper to her creative process and the story behind the film. This Academy Award nomination is also shared with her producer, Colette Sandstedt, who has also done work with Investigation Discovery, History Channel, and National Geographic. Not only that, but this is the first nomination for both of these ladies as well.
