It was a happy morning for nominees for the 2021 Academy Awards. These contenders had to wait an extra two months to find out if they got the golden ticket and they celebrated in due course. Here’s a rundown of all the official and social media reactions of this year’s Oscar nominees.
READ MORE: 2021 Oscar Nominations [Complete List]
“Wow! I’m honoured to be nominated by my fellow actors alongside such inspiring performances, and am grateful to the Academy for their support and encouragement. I’m equally thrilled for our visionary writer-director Darius Marder and the brilliant Paul Raci, as well as our editor Mikkel, sound designer Nicolas, and co-writer Abe Marder. These nominations represents the time, generosity and talents of so many — all of our incredible cast, crew, producers, and in particular, I’d like to thank my mentors in the drumming, addiction recovery, and D/deaf communities. ‘Sound of Metal’ is about how a health crisis can cut you off from your life and loved ones, and force you to grow in unexpected ways. In a challenging year for so many, I hope this story can inspire us to forge new and deeper connections with ourselves and others.”
Riz Ahmed, “Sound of Metal,” Best Actor
“Wow Wa We Waa! Thank you to the Academy for this honour! I really can’t believe this – to hear my name in the company of these remarkable women and their breath-taking performances is a dream come true! I am so grateful to Sacha Baron Cohen and my Borat family and congratulations to them for their Adapted Screen play nomination.
Уа Уа Уи Уа! Благодаря на Академията за тази историческа чест! Наистина не мога да повярвам, че чух името си в компанията на тези невероятни жени и техните спиращи дъха роли! Безкрайно благодарна съм на Саша Барън Коен и на моето Борат семейство и ги поздравявам за Оскар номинацията им за адаптиран сценарий.”
Maria Bakalova, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” Best Supporting Actress
“Thank you to the Academy and to all our peers in the filmmaking community for acknowledging ‘Nomadland.’ We thank all the people who shared their stories with us along the way, who inspired us by showing the power of compassion in listening to one another. We are grateful for everyone who worked on the film, our colleagues at Searchlight Pictures and our friend, the late Michael Wolf Snyder, for the artistry and magic he brought to the soundscape of our film.”
“Nomadland” Company: Frances McDormand, Peter Spears, Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey and Chloé Zhao, Best Picture
“I’m so thrilled for our nominations! Thank you to the Academy. I’m grateful to have gone on this journey with our talented team of filmmakers and to have met so many wonderful people who generously shared their stories with us. Thank you so much to my academy peers for recognizing this film that is very close to my heart.”
Chloé Zhao, “Nomadland,” Best Picture, Best Editing, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director
“I’m beyond thrilled to be nominated for my song ” Io Si (Seen)”!! It is a huge honor to be acknowledged by my peers and friends in the music branch who are among the greatest musicians in the world. This song was inspired by Edoardo Ponti’s beautiful movie “The Life Ahead,” and its important message, that we only truly see each other when we see with our hearts. I want to thank Edoardo and also Bonnie Greenberg for all her hard work and LauraPausini for bringing it to life like no-one else could. I also want to thank the legendary Sophia Loren. It is an honor having my song in your movie.”
Songwriter Diane Warren, “Io Si (Seen)” from “The Life Ahead,” Best Original Song
“Thank you to the Academy for this honor. I couldn’t imagine this happening as we struggled on the journey to make this film, and now I understand why Oscar moments are filled with endless thank you’s. I feel incredibly grateful to the entire family of cast and crew behind Minari who persevered to make this film. I am especially thankful to my mom, dad, and sister, who filled that small trailer home in Arkansas where we started, and my wife and daughter who mean more to me than anything. I’m blessed that the minari my grandmother planted by the water continues to grow.”
Lee Isaac Chung, “Minari,” Best Director, Best Original Screenplay
“This is a win for independent investigative journalists and whistleblowers, guardians of our societies, who can hold corrupt authorities accountable. Most of all, Collective is a cinematic tribute to the victims and survivors who had the courage to let us into their most private moments.”
Alexander Nanau, “Collective,” Documentary, International Film
“It is the greatest honor to be recognized by the Academy. And for a film, I care so much about and is so deeply in my heart. Thank you to Kornel and Kata for so bravely telling your story and for trusting me to be your Martha, to Kevin Turin and Ashley and Sam Levinson for believing in me, the cast and crew with who I share this, and to my family at Netflix for supporting and championing our story. I am so honored that this story has been shared; it is one of so many women, and of their babies. This belongs to them.”
Vanessa Kirby, “Pieces of a Woman,” Best Actress
“Waking up to these nominations was honestly an incredible surprise and honor. We’re so thankful to see our cast and crew recognized for their efforts. But above all, we’re overjoyed that even more people will be inspired to learn about the legacy and sacrifice of Chairman Fred Hampton and the Illinois Black Panther Party. That is truly the ultimate reward.”
Shaka King, “Judas and the Black Messiah,” Best Picture, Original Screenplay
“I am grateful to the Academy for recognizing Judas and the Black Messiah, and to the film’s fearless stewards, Shaka, Ryan, and Charles, as well as its tireless champion, Warner Bros. I am honored to have worked beside so many brilliant and beautiful artists, designers, and activists. And I am humbled to have helped tell Chairman Fred’s story, which should be shouted from the rooftops.”
Will Berson, “Judas and the Black Messiah,” Original Screenplay
“It is an honor to be nominated by my peers at the Academy for Da 5 Bloods. The performances by Delroy, Clarke, Chadwick and the entire cast under the direction by my brother Spike was the guiding inspiration for me. In this time when life has taken a target turn for so many, I hope that this Oscar season will be able to take away a bit of the pain many are going through and give us moments that can brighten our days. Thank you very much.”
Terence Blanchard, “Da 5 Bloods,” Best Original Score
“Chairman Fred Hampton was a light, a beacon of a being who would illuminate all he touched with his incredible message. With the ability to command any stage and robbed of his opportunity to captivate a global audience. He created strategies that supported and uplifted the black community but also unified other communities with his laugh, his mind, his passion and his love. Today, I am humbled to be nominated for portraying a man whose principles I deeply respect and for guiding me to walk in his footsteps. With the blessing of Chairman Fred Hampton’s family, and the unwavering support from Ryan Coogler, Shaka King and Charles King, and the cast led by LaKeith Stanfield and Dominique Fishback, I became a vessel for Chairman Fred’s spirit at a time when we need his rally cry for equality and justice more than ever. I commend my fellow nominees for their impressive work. To be seen and celebrated by my peers in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is beautifully humbling and I am deeply grateful. Thank you.”
Daniel Kaluuya, “Judas and the Black Messiah,” Best Actor
“This is wonderful news. Thank you very much to the Academy, and congratulations to my fellow nominees. I’m honored to be in your company. I’ve made some films over the years, but none of them have meant so much to me as this one. During a long journey like this, it matters most to be surrounded by great collaborators who are also great friends. My actors, Mads, my co-writer Tobias, Sturla my DOP, my producers from Zentropa and the amazing behind the scenes talent were all on this journey with me and gave all they had. Thank you from Denmark.”
Thomas Vinterberg, “Another Round,” International Film, Best Director
“I love ‘The Father’ very much and am so proud to be part of it. Thank you to the Academy for acknowledging the movie. Thank you to Florian, Christopher, Olivia and the entire creative team. Thank you to Sony Pictures Classics. And a big congratulations to all of my peers who have been nominated too. When I read the script and met Florian and Christopher, I knew I had to be part of this film. I am grateful they gave me the opportunity to play the role and am happy and proud that the movie has been so well recognized by the Academy. What a wonderful day.”
Anthony Hopkins, “The Father,” Best Actor
“I would like to thank the Academy for this great honor and the exceptional joy that I share today with all the team and everyone involved in The Father. I am proud to be recognized alongside my collaborators Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Christopher Hampton, Yorgos Lamprinos, and Peter Francis. Congratulations to all of them and to our fellow nominees.”
Florian Zeller, “The Father,” Adapted Screenplay
“It was such a pleasure and privilege to work on this film with Florian and everyone else in our astonishing cast and crew that an Oscar nomination on top of it seems almost unfair. Congratulations to our fellow nominees and very happy to be in such distinguished company. This is wonderful news. Thank you very much to the Academy, and congratulations to my fellow nominees. I’m honored to be in your company. I’ve made some films over the years, but none of them have meant so much to me as this one. During a long journey like this, it matters most to be surrounded by great collaborators who are also great friends. My actors, Mads, my co-writer Tobias, Sturla my DOP, my producers from Zentropa and the amazing behind the scenes talent were all on this journey with me and gave all they had. Thank you from Denmark.”
Christopher Hampton, “The Father,” Adapted Screenplay
“On behalf of Another Round, Ida and Thomas Vinterberg, I thank the Academy for smiling upon us. It is truly overwhelming to be elected among such strong and deserving colleagues. Our journey could not dream of a finer or more honorable peak. Thank you so much Academy.”
Thomas Vinterberg, “Another Round,” Best Director, International Film
“I speak for our entire film team in expressing how honored we are to be seen alongside so many great films and in equal partnership to the issues each of them raises. Awards at their best are, in my mind, a mirror to the cultural consciousness of our times and I am grateful to Fox and Rob and to the universe for bringing us together and for the opportunity to share their story. We thank The Academy for seeing us and offering the space to honor both everyday resistance and the power of universal love.”
Mads Mikkelsen, “Another Round,” International Film
“I’m barely able to speak in coherent sentences after this unbelievable news. I am so incredibly grateful to every single wonderful person who worked on Promising Young Woman, the greatest most hardworking and talented cast and crew in the world. For their work to be honored by the Academy means so much, and I am especially thrilled for Carey, whose extraordinary genius made this film what it is, and for Fred whose dedication made the impossible possible, for their individual nominations. To be part of this historic year for the Academy, alongside so many exceptionally gifted filmmakers means more than I can possibly describe, and I’m particularly proud to be nominated beside the amazing Chloe Zhao. There have been so many exceptional female filmmakers this year, making such beautiful, inspiring, challenging, varied work, that I am truly honoured and grateful to be among their number. Thank you to the Academy, Focus Features, FilmNation, LuckyChap, my whole immensely patient and wonderful team. I will stop crying eventually, but not yet.”
Garrett Bradley, “Time,” Best Documentary
“Thank you to the Academy for this honor. During my 40-something-year acting career, I have always been about the work. I’ve continued to work in small theater houses, like Deaf West Theatre, doing what I was trained to do from my Chicago Theater years, but to be validated in this way is gratifying on a level that I can only describe as heavenly. I’m so grateful to Darius Marder for directing and writing a script and a character seemingly for me without even knowing me that changed my life, and to Amazon for the love and support they have provided me. My heart is full, and as always, I look forward to the work and am grateful for the stillness.”
Paul Raci, “Sound of Metal,” Best Supporting Actor
“On behalf of our whole amazing talented wolfpack in Kilkenny, Paris, Luxembourg and beyond, we are hugely grateful and happy to be nominated for this year’s Oscars. What an honor for us all and a huge thanks to our friends in Apple, GKids, and all our financing and distribution partners worldwide who allowed us to make this film and bring it to the world. Our film is a love letter to hand-drawn animation and its timeless potential, to nature and our shared biosphere and to our home here in Ireland, its history and culture, its folklore and its people.”
Directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, “Wolfwalkers,” Animated Feature
“Thank you so much to the Academy for recognizing The Trial Of the Chicago 7. We are indebted to our brilliant writer and director, Aaron Sorkin, the outstanding craftspeople and the incredible ensemble of actors. We are so proud of the film that is a stark and inspirational reminder that the fight for freedom is never finished and that democracy will always be worth raising our voices for.”
Producers Marc Platt, Stuart Besser, Matt Jackson and Tyler Thompson, “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” Best Picture
“After such a stressed pandemic year, there is a kind of comfort and reassurance in knowing that we soldier on in many ways with important traditions. In our industry, there is nothing more traditional than the Academy Awards, which hopefully sends a sign of hope that we will get out of this. The Oscars are such a sign that normalcy still exists. In my case today marks my third Academy Award Nomination. Not to trivialize the current state of the world, it is a source of great pride and an honor to be recognized alongside these other tremendous, wonderful artists.”
Gary Oldman, “Mank,” Best Actor
“It took fourteen years to make ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ and I’m thankful for all of them. We thank the Academy for recognizing so much individual achievement this morning, but our biggest thanks is for including our film among the extraordinary movies nominated for Best Picture. We learned a lot of hard lessons last year, but a nice one was that people will find a way to go to the movies, even if they can only go as far as their living rooms. Chicago 7 is a very modern period piece. It takes place in 1968 but it’s about today. It’s a Valentine to the patriotism of protest, and to the courage of ordinary people who stand toe-to-toe with power. Jerry Rubin called the trial ‘the Academy Awards of protest.’ Well this is the Academy Awards of Academy Awards, and it’s an honor to be nominated.”
Aaron Sorkin, “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” Best Adapted Screenplay
“Working with David Fincher on Mank has been the highlight of my career, and being recognized by the Academy for an experience that brought me this much joy and fulfillment feels surreal. I won’t be able to thank David enough for trusting me with this role and for the honor of reintroducing the world to the Marion Davies that I’ve come to know. To get to study this brilliant, humble woman and help restore her legacy has been a true privilege. Congratulations to David, Gary, and the whole cast and crew of Mank today – your brilliance has not gone unnoticed and I am humbled to share this recognition with you.”
Amanda Seyfried, “Mank,” Best Supporting Actress
“Thank you to the Academy for honoring our film. We share this nomination with the entire cast and the crew at Pixar who were essential in bringing the magic and wonder of Ian and Barley’s journey to life. Onward was a very personal story, exploring the idea of what one would do if they had more time with a loved one they’d lost. It’s incredibly meaningful to see how this has resonated with audiences, and we couldn’t be more thankful to the Academy for their recognition.”
Dan Scanlon, Kori Rae, “Onward,” Best Animated Feature
“Thank you to the Academy for this incredible honor, we are truly humbled. Soul represents several years of research, intense work, self-doubt, and also a good deal of fun. Our journey on the film was similar to that of Joe Gardner’s – well, except the part where he falls down a manhole. As we struggled with story clarity and tried out who-knows-how-many different endings, we began to realize how important it was to savor what may have felt like minor moments along the way: the satisfaction of jotting down a preliminary sketch on a scrap of paper; hearing the first chords from the earliest music demos; laughing with the crew. Though we might not have known it at the time, moments like these helped inspire us and fed back into the film in innumerable ways. Though we are living through challenging times, being recognized by the Academy gives us hope that the joy we found and put into our film was shared by audiences, and nothing could be more meaningful than that.”
Pete Docter, Dana Murray, Kemp Powers, “Soul,” Best Animated Film
“I’m incredibly humbled and grateful to the Academy for both nominations! First, to the team of Trial of the Chicago 7—acting is a team sport, and I would not be in this position if it were not for the brilliance of Aaron Sorkin and the incredibly talented actors and crew that he surrounded us with and who lifted us up every day. Thank you, also, to the Academy for nominating Borat for the second time for Adapted Screenplay and for giving us the award for hiring the most WGA members in one movie. And, of course, congratulations to the sensational Maria Bakalova for her nomination! As a cast and crew, we took insane risks because we believed so deeply in the message of this movie—exposing the dangers of the last administration, but also celebrating the underlying goodness of ordinary people. Because underneath it all, we’re all the same, as Rudy Giuliani so very nearly demonstrated in that hotel room.”
Sacha Baron Cohen, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Best Adapted Screenplay, “The Trial of the Chicago 7,”Best Supporting Actor
“Congratulations to all my fellow nominees. I’m beyond thrilled and deeply grateful for Netflix’s brilliant support of their artists. I owe so much to Ron Howard, Amy Adams, Owen Asztalos, and my genius hair and makeup team. This wouldn’t have happened without them. I dedicate this honor to all the grandmothers in the world who fight to give their children a better life.”
Glenn Close, “Hillbilly Elegy,” Best Supporting Actress
“I’m absolutely elated this morning, and I am so honored to be in such esteemed company across all categories. Thank you to the Academy for embracing this story which means so much to me. It’s all thanks to my dear friend – the fearless, hilarious, bold writer and director Emerald Fennell and the incredible cast and crew she assembled. We all signed on because we believed wholeheartedly in her vision, and I’m so grateful to her for inviting me to be a part of it.”
Carey Mulligan, “Promising Young Woman,” Best Actress
“I’m thrilled and honored to be nominated and so proud of the depth of recognition for the film.”
Alan Baumgarten, “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” Best Editing
“Thank you to the Academy! Thank you to everyone who worked on our team. We are truly honored to be recognized with such a great group of nominees!”
Gigi Williams, Kimberley Spiteri and Colleen LaBaff, “Mank,” Makeup and Hairstyling
“I am incredibly humbled by this recognition from the Academy and honored to be included amongst such distinguished talent. Revisiting the golden age of Hollywood through our modern lens and technique was an extraordinary opportunity to create something of our own and I am grateful to David Fincher for his trust. It was particularly special to share the experience with such a group of talented and dedicated filmmakers all of whom I love.“
Erik Messerschmidt, “Mank,” Best Cinematography
“What a dream come true for Over the Moon to be recognized by the Academy today! We share this incredible honor with our entire cast and crew, who came together during this highly unusual time, to create something truly beautiful. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to share Fei Fei’s extraordinary journey of love, loss and healing with the world. We are also forever indebted to our screenwriter and friend, the late Audrey Wells, for entrusting us with this most precious love letter to her daughter. We hope our film moves and inspires those who may be trying to find their own way, and helps to make our world feel a little smaller and more connected. On behalf of the entire Over the Moon family, a huge thank you to the Academy of Motion Pictures and Science for this recognition!”
Director Glen Keane and Producers Gennie Rim and Peilin Chou, “Over the Moon,” Best Animated Feature
“I’d like to thank the Academy for honoring the story behind ‘One Night in Miami..’ I wrote this script hoping to give the world a look into the humanity of black men through the prism of these four icons. I’m thrilled that its message has resonated with audiences the way it has, especially during a time when reasserting the value of black lives is so important. I want to thank Jennifer Salke and the team at Amazon for throwing so much support behind this film. I want to thank our tremendous cast, who brought life and vibrance to our characters in ways I never imagined, even when it was on the page. I want to thank producers Jess Calder, Keith Calder and Jody Klein for believing in me and this story. And lastly, I want to thank Regina King, the captain of our ship and the truly visionary artist without whom this film would not exist. I am proud to also be a part of the creative team behind ‘Soul,’ which the Academy honored with a nomination for Best Animated Feature. Being able to help put two meaningful pieces of art into the world during these challenging times has left me feeling both humbled and grateful.”
Kemp Powers, “One Night in Miami,” “Soul,” Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Animated Feature
“Shaun the Sheep nominated for an Oscar!? A collection of inaudible sounds followed by silence… And that’s just our reaction to the news! We’re absolutely thrilled to receive an Oscar nomination! This is an incredible experience and a reflection of the amazing hard work and talent of everyone who worked on the film. The message of making new friends, learning from each other and always remaining positive in spite of difficult circumstances is something that we think a lot of people have connected to. On behalf of our silent movie star, Shaun the Sheep, and all of us at Aardman, we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Academy.”
Directors Will Becher and Richard Phelan, “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Armageddon,” Best Animated Feature
“What an amazing journey a song can have…From being in lockdown, stuck at home, yet somehow still managing to write, collaborate and record over phone calls, text messages and video chats to create something from nothing that is now nominated for an Oscar is just, well, mind-blowing! “Hear My Voice” is a song written in the spirit of protest and we wrote this song with the intention to in-still hope and belief into those who feel they aren’t heard, to know that one day they will be. We are so lucky to have had such a powerful film from Aaron Sorkin to inspire the song and great collaborators in each other to complete it. To the Academy: a huge thank you we are both truly honoured”
Daniel Pemberton & Celeste Waite, “Hear My Voice,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” Best Original Song
“We are so speechless and beyond honored by this nomination. Rickard, Fat Max and I would like to thank the Academy for this unreal moment!! Thank you Netflix, David Dobkin, Will Ferrell and Andrew Steele for allowing us to be a part of this movie! Wow just beyond floored!!! Thank you!!!”
Savan Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus, Rickard Göransson, “Husavik (My Hometown),” Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, Best Original Song
“We are so honored to be recognized by the Academy for our work on Mank. And we humbly receive this recognition knowing that so many talented people contributed to making the project special. Thank you so much for the nomination and recognition!”
Donald Graham Burt, “Mank,” Best Production Design
“It is such an honor for our work to be recognized by our peers!!!!”
Jan Pascale, “Mank,” Best Production Design
“We are incredibly honored to have two of our scores recognized this year by the Academy. We are truly humbled and grateful… THANK YOU!”
Composers Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, “Mank,” Best Original Score
“Wow! We are incredibly honored to receive this nomination and be celebrated alongside such an inspiring collection of shorts – it means the world to us and the entire Burrow crew. Burrow is a short that encourages people not be afraid to open themselves up to others – and to be recognized in a year when maybe a lot of people have been feeling isolated, really means the world to us. A sincere thank you to the Academy for this recognition.”
Director Madeline Sharafian and producer Michael Capbarat, “Burrow,” Animated Short Film
The 93rd Oscars will be held on Sunday, April 25, and will be televised live on ABC at 5 PM PT/8 PM ET.