Oscar nominations are announced later today and we'll be looking for Atlanta connections.
"Hidden Figures," filmed here and starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae could be among the projects earning a nod.
Spencer picked up a supporting actress Golden Globe nomination for her role (Viola Davis won for her role in "Fences"). The movie's score by Pharrell Williams also was nominated (Justin Hurwitz won for "La La Land").
"Moonlight," also starring Monae, looks to be the film to beat for best picture. It took top honors at the Globes and has earned tons of critical praise.
The actor/actress nominee slate may show a little more diversity than it has the past two years (which was none; #OscarsSoWhite trended with good reason). More than 600 new voting members, many of them artists of color, were added to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ roster after last year's repeat of an all-white slate of actor/actress nominations.
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“We’re proud to welcome these new members to the Academy, and know they view this as an opportunity and not just an invitation, a mission and not just a membership,” said Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs at the time.
“This class continues our long-term commitment to welcoming extraordinary talent reflective of those working in film today,” Boone Isaacs said. “We encourage the larger creative community to open its doors wider, and create opportunities for anyone interested in working in this incredible and storied industry.”
New members include Ice Cube, whose “Straight Outta Compton” was among the projects and casts seen as snubbed in the past; Tessa Thompson and her “Creed” co-star Michael B. Jordan (Sylvester Stallone won a best-supporting Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for his role in “Creed”); Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed James Brown in “Get On Up” and is now filming “Blank Panther” in Atlanta; Vivica A. Fox, Gabrielle Union, whose BET series "Being Mary Jane" films in Atlanta; Anika Noni Rose, Damon Wayans, Jr., "Moonlight" star Mahershala Ali, Anthony Anderson, Loretta Devine and John Boyega.
The nominations are coming later this morning - return for updates.
