Karla Sofía Gascón Becomes First Openly Trans Actor Nominated for an Oscar

The Spanish-language, French-made film Emilia Pérez dominated the 2024 Academy Award nominations, earning a record-breaking 13 nods, including Best Picture. The film’s star, Karla Sofía Gascón, made h

Directed by Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez emerged as the most nominated non-English language film in Oscar history, surpassing Netflix’s Roma, which had previously held the record with 10 nominations. The film also secured nominations for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña, among others.

A Landmark Moment for Netflix and Non-English Films

Netflix has long pursued an Academy Award for Best Picture, but despite numerous high-profile nominations for films like The Irishman and Roma, it has yet to claim the top prize. However, with Emilia Pérez leading the nominations, the streaming giant may have its best shot yet at taking home the coveted award.

The nominations were announced amid a challenging period for Hollywood, as devastating wildfires swept through Los Angeles, impacting many in the film industry. Despite these hardships, the Academy chose to move forward with the awards ceremony, emphasizing resilience and the power of storytelling.

Other Top Contenders

Among the other most-nominated films, the Broadway adaptation Wicked garnered 10 nominations, including Best Picture and acting nods for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, also secured 10 nominations, with Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, and Felicity Jones earning acting recognitions.

The 10 Best Picture nominees are:

• Anora

• The Brutalist

• A Complete Unknown

• Conclave

• Dune: Part Two

• Emilia Pérez

• I’m Still Here

• Nickel Boys

• The Substance

• Wicked

Surprises included the Brazilian political drama I’m Still Here and RaMell Ross' Nickel Boys, a first-person POV-shot film that had been overlooked in previous industry awards.

Recognizing Excellence in Acting

The Best Actress category is one of the most competitive this year, featuring:

• Demi Moore (The Substance)

• Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez)

• Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here)

• Cynthia Erivo (Wicked)

• Mikey Madison (Anora)

For Best Actor, the nominees include:

• Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown)

• Colman Domingo (Sing Sing)

• Ralph Fiennes (Conclave)

• Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)

• Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice)

Supporting acting categories saw notable nominations, including Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown), Isabella Rossellini (Conclave), and Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown).

A Hollywood Industry in Transition

The Academy faced calls to cancel this year’s ceremony due to the wildfires, but organizers emphasized the importance of recognizing artistic achievement, particularly during difficult times. Bill Kramer, Academy CEO, stated that this year’s event will “celebrate the work that unites us as a global film community and acknowledge those who fought bravely against the wildfires.”

Despite the challenges, the industry remains hopeful, with a diverse and dynamic selection of films vying for the top honors. With no clear frontrunner, the 2024 Oscars promise to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting in recent years.