Black nominees for the 2025 Oscars: Top row L to R: Colman Domingo, Cynthia Erivo and Zoe Saldaña. Bottom row L to R: RaMell Ross, Kris Bowers and Paul Tazewell. Photos: AP Files

Nominations for the 97th Annual Academy Awards were announced the morning of January 23 in Los Angeles and South African film The Last Ranger was nominated in the best “Live Action Short Film” category.

It won at the 2024 Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) for “Best Short Narrative.”

The Cindy Lee directed film, which addresses rhino poaching and conservation efforts in South Africa, is inspired by real life events in the Eastern Cape and features performances by Avumile Qongqo, Liyabona Mroqoza, and Makhaola Ndebele.

The Oscar nominations announcement have been delayed twice due to the ongoing fires in Los Angeles and the Academy Awards leadership has also canceled the Feb. 9 Oscars nominees’ luncheon due to the fires.

The awards ceremony will take place on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles and will be hosted by Conan O’Brien. It will air on ABC.

Black actor nominations

Six Black actors also received nominations: Cynthia Erivo, Zoe Saldaña, Colman Domingo, Kris Bowers, RaMell Ross and Paul Tazewell.

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Colman Domingo for “Sing, Sing”

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Cynthia Erivo for “Wicked”

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Zoe Saldaña for “Emilia Pérez”

Best Adapted Screenplay

RaMell Ross for “Nickel Boys”

Best Original Score

Kris Bowers for “Wild Robot” (This science fiction film also features the voice of Lupita Nyong’o as Roz)

Best Costume Design

Paul Tazewell for “Wicked”

The full list of nominees can be viewed on the Academy Awards website.

Behind the scenes of The Last Ranger

 

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Author

  • Tom Gitaa

    Born and raised in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa, Tom is the Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Mshale which has been reporting on the news and culture of African immigrants in the United States since 1995. He has a BA in Business from Metro State University and a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He was the original host of Talking Drum, the signature current affairs show on the African Broadcasting Network (ABN-America), which was available nationwide in the United States via the Dish Network satellite service. On the show, he interviewed Nobel laureates such as 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner, Professor Wangari Maathai, the first woman from Africa to win the peace prize and heads of states. Tom has served and chaired various boards including Global Minnesota (formerly Minnesota International Center), the sixth largest World Affairs Council in the United States. He has previously served as the first Black President of the Board of Directors at Books for Africa. He also serves on the boards of New Vision Foundation and the Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium. He has previously served two terms on the board of the United Nations Association. An avid runner, he retired from running full marathons after turning 50 and now only focuses on training for half marathons.

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About Tom Gitaa Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief

Born and raised in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa, Tom is the Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Mshale which has been reporting on the news and culture of African immigrants in the United States since 1995. He has a BA in Business from Metro State University and a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He was the original host of Talking Drum, the signature current affairs show on the African Broadcasting Network (ABN-America), which was available nationwide in the United States via the Dish Network satellite service. On the show, he interviewed Nobel laureates such as 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner, Professor Wangari Maathai, the first woman from Africa to win the peace prize and heads of states. Tom has served and chaired various boards including Global Minnesota (formerly Minnesota International Center), the sixth largest World Affairs Council in the United States. He has previously served as the first Black President of the Board of Directors at Books for Africa. He also serves on the boards of New Vision Foundation and the Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium. He has previously served two terms on the board of the United Nations Association. An avid runner, he retired from running full marathons after turning 50 and now only focuses on training for half marathons.

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