This Film is the First Major Oscar Contender of 2020

Frances McDormand in
Frances McDormand in "Nomadland"

It’s never too early to start predicting the next year’s Oscar winners, but the race usually heats up during the fall’s festival season. The first major contenders are emerging, and Nomadland established itself as the most serious candidate after two major festival wins.

This poignant drama about an elderly woman who becomes a van-dwelling modern-day nomad stars Frances McDormand, and it had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. It was instantly met with critical acclaim and went on to win the Golden Lion.

After winning in Venice, Nomadland also won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival, becoming the first film in history to pick up top awards at both festivals. Many movies that won big at TIFF, including Green Book and 12 Years a Slave went on to win the best picture at the Oscars, so could Nomadland be the next one in line?

The race is still too early to call, and many other top Oscar contenders still haven’t seen the light of day. Nomadland is a huge hit with art-house lovers, but we’re yet to see if the Oscar voters will respond to its slow pace.

David Fincher’s passion project Mank could stand a much better chance because Academy members have a habit of going for movies about filmmaking. An Oscar victory is also long-overdue for Fincher, but it’s too early to judge this movie since the critics are yet to see it.