So with 12 months to go, what might the 2017 ceremony hold for black actors and filmmakers? It’s obviously too early for accurate predictions but a scout around key players’ upcoming projects has unearthed some movies that could potentially bring glory at the Dolby Theatre next year.
Let’s take a look at some of the contenders in the pipeline:
Nate Parker for The Birth of a Nation
Parker wrote, produced, directed and acted in this historical drama about Nat Turner, who led the Virginia slave rebellion in 1831. If he isn’t at least nominated for most of the Oscars out there, it will be a shock, not least because Fox bought the global film rights for $17.5 million at Sundance last month in the largest deal ever seen at the festival. The Birth of a Nation went on to win the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award after earning the “most enthusiastic standing ovation of the year”. Expect big things come its release on 7 October.
