'Emilia Perez', a Transgender Drug Dealer Story, Leads Academy Awards with Most Nominations

'Wicked' and 'Brutalist' Each Receive Ten Nominations
'Magic Candies,' Based on Baek Heena's Work, Nominated for Best Animated Short Film

The film 'Emilia Perez' received the most nominations at this year's Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced the list of nominees for the 97th Academy Awards on the 23rd (local time), with the film nominated in twelve categories (13 nominations) including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Cinematography, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Movie 'Emilia Perez' Still Cut

Directed by Jacques Audiard in Spanish, 'Emilia Perez' tells the story of a Mexican drug lord who becomes transgender to evade law enforcement. It set a record for the most nominations for a film made in a language other than English. Carla Sofia Gascon, the lead actress, became the first transgender actor to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

'Wicked' and 'Brutalist' each received ten nominations, while 'Dune: Part 2' joined with five nominations, fewer than its predecessor 'Dune' which had ten. Last year's biggest hit, 'Inside Out 2,' was nominated for Best Animated Feature, competing against this year's Golden Globe winner 'Flow' and others.

In the Best Picture category, ten films including 'Emilia Perez,' 'Wicked,' 'Brutalist,' 'Dune: Part 2,' 'Anora,' 'Complete Unknown,' 'I'm Still Here,' 'Nickel's Boys,' and 'Substance' compete for the trophy. Demi Moore of 'Substance,' who won this year's Golden Globe for Best Actress, was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, competing against Cynthia Erivo of 'Wicked' and others.

Movie 'Apprentice' Still Cut

Sebastian Stan of 'Apprentice,' which casts a dark light on former U.S. President Donald Trump's youth, joined the Best Actor nominee list. He competes for the trophy against Timoth?e Chalamet of 'Complete Unknown,' Adrien Brody of 'Brutalist,' and Ralph Fiennes of 'Conclave.' Pop star Ariana Grande, who appeared in 'Wicked,' competes in the Best Supporting Actress category against Zoe Saldana of 'Emilia Perez,' Isabella Rossellini of 'Conclave,' and others.

The Japanese animation 'Magic Candies,' based on the picture book 'Al Satang' by author Baek Heena, was nominated for Best Animated Short Film and is vying for the award. This 21-minute work shows the process of Dongdong, who struggles with communication, meeting a mysterious candy and learning to understand others' hearts.

The ceremony will be held on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles (LA). Famous broadcaster Conan O'Brien will host. Considering the large wildfire that has lasted over two weeks in LA and the many victims, the event is expected to be held modestly. AMPAS announced, "This year, the congratulatory performances by the singers nominated for Best Original Song have been omitted."