The Oscar Narrative: Final Winner Predictions - Best Picture and Best Director

Best Picture

Will Win - Anora

Should Win - Anora or Wicked

Could Win - Conclave

Commentary - The battle for Best Picture has not been this hot in awhile, and it is closer probably than it has been since Gravity and 12 Years a Slave over a decade ago. Both Anora and Conclave are early favorites that lied in waiting with Wicked, The Brutalist, and even A Complete Unknown came and went. Then at the finish line with the guild awards and BAFTA, these two films reemerged as the main contenders. It has thrown this entire season for a loop. Anora has PGA, DGA, WGA, and Critics Choice. Conclave has SAG, BAFTA, and would have won WGA had it been eligible. So the preferential ballot favors those that are acting and writing over more directorial films. Your 1917 versus Parasite, CODA versus The Power of the Dog, Green Book versus Roma. So in that vein, it feels like Conclave is the bigger contender. But, Anora is also a film that also has the acting and writing factor. It also has won on two preferential ballots and has shown some international support. But Conclave is the film that will probably most inspire the older voters. Over the years, I have gotten a lot better about this category, after my initial mistakes not being able to navigate the preferential ballot. But this year, I am completely stumped. My head says Conclave, my heart says Anora. I am sticking with Anora. I think that it is the best film of the bunch, I think that it has a lot of great mix of voters that love it, and I think it will cross the finish line with a nice Oscar statuette. 

Best Director

Will Win - Sean Baker "Anora"

Could Win - Brady Corbet "The Brutalist"

Should Win - Sean Baker "Anora" or James Mangold "A Complete Unknown"

Commentary - Another fierce battle. Brady Corbet has BAFTA and Sean Baker has DGA. They both have great track records. Part of me feels a split coming, but we all know it is a safer bet to pick both if they are both nominated. Corbet feels like the more classical winner, but Baker has finished strong. 

The Oscar Narrative: Final Winner Predictions - Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress

Best Actor

Will Win - Adrien Brody "The Brutalist"

Could Win - Timothee Chalamet "A Complete Unknown"

Should Win - Ralph Fiennes "Conclave" or Colman Domingo "Sing Sing"

Commentary - Timothee Chalamet's SAG win did but a crack in the Adrien Brody wall heading right to the finish line. Is it a sign that Brody's campaign has faltered? Or is it just a bump in the road. I still think that Brody will finish strong and win, but I will not be jaw-dropped if a surprise happens. 

Best Actress

Will Win - Mikey Madison "Anora"

Could Win - Demi Moore "The Substance" or Fernanda Torres "I'm Still Here"

Should Win - Madison, Moore, Torres, or Erivo

Commentary - What a race this has become at the finish line. Demi Moore is the most obvious choice, with the large majority of major precursors, especially SAG. Mikey Madison though, won the BAFTA, which is the group that sees a large group across different branches voting on all of the awards. Then there is the Fernanda Torres factor. She won at the Globes, and since then her film and her performance have been on an upward trajectory. There is definitely a lot of buzz for her performance. This is the first time that all three have faced off against each other, and all three are in Best Picture nominees. My heart tells me Demi, who has worked for so long to get to this moment. My head tells me that the surge of Torres support is enough to surprise. My gut tells me that Madison's BAFTA win was no fluke, and that she wins in a tight, completely crazy race. 

Best Supporting Actor

Will Win - Kieran Culkin "A Real Pain" 

Could Win - Jeremy Strong "The Apprentice"

Should Win - Yura Borisov "Anora" or Edward Norton "A Complete Unknown"

Commentary - Kieran has swept everything, and none of the other contenders have managed to breakthrough. I think he wins in a walk.

Best Supporting Actress

Will Win - Zoe Saldana "Emilia Perez"

Could Win - Isabella Rossellini "Conclave"

Should Win - Ariana Grande "Wicked"

Commentary - The big question of the night is: how bad is the Emilia Perez controversy? Did it hurt the film so much that Saldana gets snubbed at the finished line? I don't think so. I also think that it can still win several Oscars despite everything. She has swept every major precursor, and I think there is enough goodwill for her as an actress and a performance to make her finish strong and win. 

The Oscar Narrative: Final Winner Predictions - Best Adapted Screenplay, Original Screenplay, Animated Feature, Documentary Feature, and International Feature

Best Adapted Screenplay

Will Win - Peter Straughn "Conclave"

Could Win - RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes "Nickel Boys"

Should Win - Conclave or Nickel Boys

Commentary - Conclave has dominated these precursors except for the WGA where it was not eligible. There, the writers went with Nickel Boys, which is in a solid place to upset. If Conclave though is a big as we think it is, and a potential BP winner, I think it collects this prize along the way. 

Best Original Screenplay

Will Win - Sean Baker "Anora"

Could Win - Jesse Eisenberg "A Real Pain" or Coralie Fargeat "The Substance"

Should Win - Sean Baker "Anora"

Commentary - Jesse Eisenberg has a real upper hand here with a surprise win at BAFTA. Sean Baker won at WGA. Coralie Fargeat won at the Critics Choice. My gut tells me not to ignore the BAFTA win, but I think if Anora is going to win Best Picture, it will squeak out a close one here. 

Best Animated Feature

Will Win - The Wild Robot

Could Win - Flow

Should Win - The Wild Robot

Commentary - Flow could surprise here, as it has stayed strong throughout the season, and is well-liked by voters. But The Wild Robot has done incredibly well with a lot of guilds, and when BAFTA was given the chance to vote, they chose Wallace & Gromit instead of Flow. Also, while the Animation Branch has always been daring with its nominations, annually rewarding foreign and indie contenders, the only one of those contenders two cross the finish line were the two Miyazaki films. I think the more mainstream The Wild Robot will take the prize.

Best Documentary Feature

Will Win - Porcelain War

Could Win - No Other Land

Should Win - Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat

Commentary - No Other Land has been the critical favorite, but still lacks distribution. It could definitely win here, and make a big statement on the Israel/Gaza conflict. But after the DGA win, and the Ukraine subject matter, which really came to a head during voting, I think that Porcelain War is going to surprise with a win.

Best International Feature

Will Win - I'm Still Here (Brazil)

Could Win - Emilia Perez (France)

Should Win - I'm Still Here

Commentary - What a shift this category has had in the last few weeks. This was locked and loaded for Emilia Perez, and I'm going to be honest: don't be surprised if it wins this in a walk. But the emergence of I'm Still Here has been fascinating to watch, at the same time that Emilia Perez's many controversies came to a head. I know there are plenty of voters that don't care about the controversies and love the movie. I also know that many of the voters are finally catching up with I'm Still Here after Torres won the Globe, and are really loving it. It will be a close race, but I expect the upset. 

The Oscar Narrative: Final Winner Predictions - Best Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Production Design

Best Cinematography

Will Win - The Brutalist

Could Win - Nosferatu, Dune: Part II, or Maria

Should Win - The Brutalist

Commentary - The ASC threw the curveball of Maria. I would love to see something wild like that happen, but I don't know if the larger Academy will respond the same way. BAFTA, and a lot of the other precursors, settled on The Brutalist, and I think it will reign here. I would also watch for Dune: Part II. The first film won here, and we have seen some overlap with Visual Effects, Cinematography, and Production Design. This year, it may split three ways, but don't be shocked if it doesn't. 

Best Costume Design

Will Win - Wicked

Could Win - Conclave

Should Win - Wicked

Commentary - These costumes have swept pretty much every award leading up to the Oscars. They are the biggest, the boldest, and the best. I think the streak continues. 

Best Film Editing

Will Win - Conclave

Could Win - Anora or The Brutalist

Should Win - Conclave's BAFTA win was telling, and honestly, without the ACE Eddies weighing in until after the Oscars, we don't have the other major precursor (and many of the precursors went with Challengers, which was unceremoniously snubbed here). I think Anora is a still a possibility, especially if it is strong enough to win Best Picture, and despite the fact that it would be ridiculous, don't count out The Brutalist.

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Will Win - The Substance

Could Win - Wicked or A Different Man

Should Win - The Substance

Commentary - Makeup winners tend to be the most obvious makeup, the most stylized, the most over the top. This helps The Substance a lot. It did well at the Makeup and Hairstyling Guild, won the BAFTA, and is most definitely the most makeup. 

Best Production Design

Will Win - Wicked

Could Win - Conclave or Dune: Part II

Should Win - Wicked

Commentary - This is another one where Wicked has dominated the precursors for this category, including ADG, Set Decorators Society, and BAFTA. But Conclave has also done well at some of these guilds, and if it is a BP contender, could pull another surprise along the way. Also, with the more common connection between Visual Effects and Production Design, Dune Part II could surprise (or does Wicked surprise in Visual Effects? Something to ponder). 

The Oscar Narrative: Final Winner Predictions - Best Original Score, Original Song, Sound, Visual Effects, and Shorts

Best Original Score

Will Win - The Brutalist

Could Win - Conclave

Should Win - The Brutalist (Actually it should be Challengers)

Commentary - The Brutalist has the most expansive score of the bunch, and it did win the BAFTA, the only major precursor to cross over to the Academy voting block. But watch out for Conclave, whose score is also memorable. Oh and shoutout to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who should be winning for Challengers. 

Best Original Song

Will Win - Emilia Perez - El Mal

Could Win - Elton John: Never Too Late - Never Too Late or The Six Triple Eight - The Journey

Should Win - The Six Triple Eight - The Journey or Sing Sing - Like a Bird

Commentary - Is Emilia Perez still in the mix? I believe it still walks away with a few Oscars, despite the controversy, and El Mal has been in the lead for awhile. But, if the controversy has hit home, is this the year that Diane Warren finally wins? Maybe not, and it could be Elton John and Brandi Carlile. But I would love to see it finally happen, that or the song from Sing Sing, which was a nice surprise nominee.

Best Sound

Will Win - Dune Part II

Could Win - A Complete Unknown or Wicked

Should Win - Dune Part II or Wicked

Commentary - An interesting three-way race is brewing here. A lot of anonymous voters (yes we take with a grain of salt) are saying A Complete Unknown, which did win the CAS Award. But BAFTA has been a bigger indicator in this category, and often the most sound wins, which doesn't help the more subtle A Complete Unknown (although last years The Zone of Interest proved that theory is not always right). I also think this keeps Wicked in the mix, as voters have often rewarded musicals in this category, and the sound work is great. In a tight race, I am sticking with Dune's immersive sound quality. 

Best Visual Effects

Will Win - Dune: Part II

Could Win - Wicked or Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Should Win - Dune Part II

Commentary - The visual spectacle that is Dune should join its predecessor as a winner here, and voters do particularly like Best Picture nominees in this category when they can. Also watch out for Wicked and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which did well at the VES Awards.

Best Animated Short

Wander to Wonder

Best Documentary Short

I Am Ready, Warden

Best Live Action Short

The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent

31st Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards

Film

Best Ensemble - Conclave

Best Actor - Timothee Chalamet "A Complete Unknown"

Best Actress - Demi Moore "The Substance"

Best Supporting Actor - Kieran Culkin "A Real Pain"

Best Supporting Actress - Zoe Saldana "Emilia Perez"

Best Stunt Ensemble Performance - The Fall Guy

Television

Best Ensemble in a Drama Series - Shogun

Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series - Only Murders in the Building

Best Actor in a Drama Series - Hiroyuki Sanada "Shogun"

Best Actress in a Drama Series - Anna Sawai "Shogun"

Best Actor in a Comedy Series - Martin Short "Only Murders in the Building"

Best Actress in a Comedy Series - Jean Smart "Hacks"

Best Actor in a Limited Series/TV Movie - Colin Farrell "The Penguin"

Best Actress in a Limited Series/TV Movie - Jessica Gunning "Baby Reindeer"

Best Stunt Ensemble Performance - Shogun

Lifetime Achievement - Jane Fonda

29th Online Film and Television Association Film Award Winners

BEST PICTURE

Anora

BEST ANIMATED PICTURE

The Wild Robot

BEST ACTOR

Adrien Brody – The Brutalist

BEST ACTRESS

Demi Moore – The Substance

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Margaret Qualley – The Substance

BEST YOUTH PERFORMANCE

Izaac Wang – Dìdi

BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE: MALE

Yura Borisov – Anora

BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE: FEMALE

Mikey Madison – Anora

BEST VOICE-OVER PERFORMANCE

Lupita Nyong’o – The Wild Robot

BEST ENSEMBLE

Conclave

BEST CASTING

The Substance

BEST DIRECTOR

Brady Corbet – The Brutalist

BEST FEATURE DEBUT

RaMell Ross – Nickel Boys

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

The Substance

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Conclave

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

I’m Still Here

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Challengers

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

Kiss the Sky – The Wild Robot

BEST ADAPTED SONG

Defying Gravity – Wicked

BEST FILM EDITING

Challengers

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Nosferatu

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Wicked

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Wicked

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIR

The Substance

BEST SOUND

Dune: Part Two

BEST SOUND EFFECTS

Dune: Part Two

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Dune: Part Two

BEST STUNT COORDINATION

The Fall Guy

BEST TITLES SEQUENCE

The Brutalist (Opening)

MOST CINEMATIC MOMENT

Challengers – Match Point

BEST MOVIE TRAILER

Longlegs, Trailer #1

BEST MOVIE POSTER

Challengers, Poster #1

61st Cinema Audio Society (CAS) Award Winners

MOTION PICTURES – LIVE ACTION

 A Complete Unknown

Production Sound Mixer – Tod A. Maitland CAS

Re-Recording Mixer – Paul Massey CAS

Re-Recording Mixer – David Giammarco CAS

Scoring Mixer – Nick Baxter

ADR Mixer – David Betancourt

Foley Mixer – Kevin Schultz

MOTION PICTURES – ANIMATED

 The Wild Robot

Original Dialogue Mixer – Ken Gombos

Re-Recording Mixer – Leff Lefferts

Re-Recording Mixer – Gary A. Rizzo CAS

Scoring Mixer – Alan Meyerson CAS

Foley Mixer – Richard Duarte

MOTION PICTURES – DOCUMENTARY

Music by John Williams

Production Mixer – Noah Alexander

Re-Recording Mixer – Christopher Barnett CAS

Re-Recording Mixer – Roy Waldspurger

NON-THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES OR LIMITED SERIES

Masters of the Air: S01 E05 Part Five

Production Sound Mixer – Tim Fraser

Re-Recording Mixer – Michael Minkler CAS

Re-Recording Mixer – Duncan McRae

Re-Recording Mixer – Shane Stoneback

Scoring Mixer – Thor Fienberg

ADR Mixer – Sean Moher

Foley Mixer – Randy K. Singer CAS

TELEVISION SERIES – ONE HOUR

Shōgun: S01 E05 Broken to the Fist

Production Sound Mixer – Michael Williamson CAS

Re-Recording Mixer – Steve Pederson CAS

Re-Recording Mixer – Greg P. Russell CAS

ADR Mixer – Takashi Akaku

Foley Mixer – Arno Stephanian CAS

TELEVISION SERIES – HALF HOUR

The Bear: S03 E03 Doors

Production Sound Mixer – Scott D. Smith CAS

Re-Recording Mixer – Steve “Major” Giammaria CAS

ADR Mixer – Patrick Christensen

ADR Mixer – Kendall Barron

Foley Mixer – Ryan Collison

Foley Mixer – Connor Nagy

TELEVISION NON-FICTION, VARIETY or MUSIC – SERIES or SPECIALS

Beatles ’64

Re-Recording Mixer – Josh Berger

Re-Recording Mixer – Giles Martin

37th USC Scripter Award Winners

Best Screenplay - Film

Conclave, adapted by Peter Straughan based on the novel by Robert Harris

Best Screenplay - Television

Joshua Zetumer "Say Nothing - The People in the Dirt,". Based on the book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe

56th NAACP Image Award Winners

Entertainer of the Year

Keke Palmer

Outstanding Motion Picture

“The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

“Sing Sing” (A24)

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture

“Inside Out 2” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding International Motion Picture

“Emilia Pérez” (Netflix)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Kerry Washington — “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Martin Lawrence — “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” (Sony Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Denzel Washington — “Gladiator II” (Paramount Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Ebony Obsidian — “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)

Outstanding Youth Performance in a Motion Picture

Skylar Aleece Smith — “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

Ebony Obsidian – “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture)

Blue Ivy Carter – “Mufasa: The Lion King” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture

“The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

RaMell Ross — “Nickel Boys” (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes — “Nickel Boys” (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)

Malcolm Washington – “The Piano Lesson” (Netflix)

Outstanding Documentary (Film)

“Luther: Never Too Much” (Sony Music Entertainment/Sony Music Publishing/CNN Films)

Outstanding Cinematography in a Motion Picture

Jomo Fray – “Nickel Boys” (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Short Form Documentary (Film)

“How to Sue the Klan”

Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)

“Superman Doesn’t Steal”

Outstanding Short Form (Animated)

“Peanut Headz: Black History Toonz “Jackie Robinson” (Exhibit Treal Studios)

Outstanding Drama Series

“Cross” (Amazon Prime Video)

Outstanding Comedy Series

“Abbott Elementary” (ABC)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Queen Latifah — “The Equalizer” (CBS)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Michael Rainey Jr. — “Power Book II: Ghost” (Starz)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson — “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Damon Wayans — “Poppa’s House” (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Cliff “Method Man” Smith — “Power Book II: Ghost” (Starz)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Lynn Whitfield — “The Chi” (Paramount+)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Damon Wayans Jr. — “Poppa’s House” (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Danielle Pinnock — “Ghosts” (CBS)

Outstanding Guest Performance

Marlon Wayans – “Bel-Air” (Peacock)

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

Tiffany Johnson – “How to Die Alone – ‘Trust No One’” (Hulu)

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

Rapman – “Supacell – ‘Supacell’” (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Crystal Jenkins – “No Good Deed – Letters of Intent” Netflix)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Ben Watkins – Cross “Hero Complex” (Prime Video)

Outstanding Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

“Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)

Outstanding Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

Aaron Pierre — “Rebel Ridge” (Netflix)

Outstanding Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special or Movie)

Naturi Naughton — “Abducted at an HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie” (Lifetime)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special, Movie)

Taraji P. Henson – “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special, Movie)

Samuel L. Jackson – “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special

Tina Mabry – “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” (Hulu)

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special

Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Thembi L. Banks – “Young. Wild. Free.” (BET+)

Outstanding Variety (Series or Special)

“Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was” (Netflix)

Outstanding Talk Series

“The Jennifer Hudson Show” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Jennifer Hudson — “The Jennifer Hudson Show” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition Services/Game Show

“Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC)

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Keke Palmer – “Password” (NBC)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

“Black Barbie: A Documentary” (Netflix)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

“The Reidout” (MSNBC)

Outstanding Children’s Program

“Gracie’s Corner” (YouTube TV)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series)

Leah Sava Jeffries – “Percy Jackson and the Olympics” (Disney+)

Outstanding Animated Series

“Gracie’s Corner” (YouTube TV)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

Cree Summer – “Rugrats” (Nickelodeon)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

Ayo Edebiri – “The Bear” (FX/Hulu)

Outstanding Short Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction/Documentary

“The Prince of Death Row Records” (YouTube TV)

Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Motion Picture)

“Wicked” – Paul Tazewell (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)

Dawn Porter – “Luther: Never Too Much” (Sony Music Entertainment/Sony Music Publishing/CNN Films)

Outstanding Hair Styling (Television or Motion Picture)

“Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” – Lawrence Davis (Peacock)

Outstanding Make-up (Television or Motion Picture)

“Shirley” – Debi Young (Netflix)

Outstanding Original Score for Television/Film

“Star Wars: The Acolyte (Original Soundtrack)” (Walt Disney Records)

Outstanding Stunt Ensemble

“Rebel Ridge” – Keith Woulard, Nico Woulard (Netflix)

Outstanding Album

“Cowboy Carter” – Beyoncé (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment LLC)

Outstanding Male Artist

Chris Brown (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

Outstanding Female Artist

Beyoncé (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment LLC)

Outstanding New Artist

Doechii (Capitol Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

Adam Blackstone & Fantasia – “Summertime” (BASSic Black Entertainment Records/Anderson Music Group/EMPIRE)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

Wizkid feat. Brent Faiyaz – “Piece of My Heart” (RCA Records/Sony Music International/Starboy Entertainment)

Outstanding Soul/R&B Song

“Residuals” — Chris Brown (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

Outstanding Song – Hip-Hop/Rap Song

“Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar (pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

“Live Breathe Fight” – Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music Group)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

“Working For Me” – Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music Group)

Outstanding International Song

“Hmmm” – Chris Brown feat. Davido (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

Outstanding Jazz Album

“Portrait” – Samara Joy (Verve Records)

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

“Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar (pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records)

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

“Wicked: The Soundtrack” (Republic Records)

Outstanding Social Media Personality of the Year

Shirley Raines

Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast

“Club Shay Shay” (Shay Shay Media & The Volume)

Outstanding Sports, Arts and Entertainment Podcast

“Two Funny Mamas” (Mocha Podcasts Network)

Outstanding Podcast – Limited Series/Short Form

“Stranded” (Broadway Video and Audible)

Outstanding Podcast – News and Information

“Native Land Pod” (iHeartPodcasts, Reasoned Choice Media)

Outstanding Podcast – Lifestyle/Self-Help

“We Don’t Always Agree with Ryan & Sterling” (ABF Creative & Indian Meadows Production)

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

“One of Us Knows: A Thriller” – Alyssa Cole (William Morrow – HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction

“Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel, His Master Distiller Nearest Green, and the Improbable Rise of Uncle Nearest” – Fawn Weaver (Melcher Media Inc.)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author

Sarai Johnson – “Grown Women” (Harper – HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography

“Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America” – Joy-Ann Reid (Mariner Books – HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional

“Wash Day: Passing on the Legacy, Rituals, and Love of Natural Hair” – Tomesha Faxio (Clarkson Potter – Crown Publishing Group)

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry

“This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets” – Kwame Alexander (Little, Brown and Company – Hachette Book Group)

Outstanding Literary Work – Children

“You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!): A Lil TJ Book” – Taraji P. Henson, Paul Kellam (Zonderkidz – HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens

“Brushed Between Cultures: A YA Coming of Age Novel Set in Brooklyn, New York” – Samarra St. Hilaire (Self-Published)

Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel

“Punk Rock Karaoke” – Bianca Xunise