Directing

There are several high profile directors with new releases this year, all of which will be competing for the Academy Award for Directing. The only previous winner to be in contention is the legendary Martin Scorsese, who will be seeking his tenth nomination and second win with Killers of the Flower Moon. Two of the most beloved modern filmmakers; Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve, will be hoping to secure their second career nominations, after both being and the wrong end of egregious snubs by the Academy in the past. The two acclaimed filmmakers will be hoping Oppenheimer and Dune: Part Two fare better with the Academy voters.

With some films yet to premiere, it is too early to say who is the clear frontrunner but hopefully 2024 will see more representation amongst female directors, with Justine Triet and Celine Song directing two of the most acclaimed films of year so far.

Here are my predictions as of 19th July 2023:

Strong Contenders

1. Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon)
2. Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)
3. Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest)
4. Denis Villenueve (Dune: Part Two)
5. Celine Song (Past Lives)

Possible Contenders

1. Justine Triet (Anatomy of a Fall)
2. Alexander Payne (The Holdovers)
3. Blitz Bazawule (The Colour Purple)
4. Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things)
5. Emerald Fennell (Saltburn)

Outsiders

1. Greta Gerwig (Barbie)
2. Bradley Cooper (Maestro)
3. Ridley Scott (Napoleon)
4. Taika Waititi (Next Goal Wins)
5. Michael Mann (Ferrari)

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