The 2021 American Movie Awards, held to honor the finest achievements in cinema from the previous year, celebrated a diverse array of films and talents. The awards recognized exceptional performances, direction, and technical skills that defined the film industry in 2020.
The event highlighted the resilience and creativity of filmmakers, actors, and crew members who worked under unprecedented conditions due to the global pandemic.
Major Winners and Highlights
Best Picture: Nomadland took home the prestigious Best Picture award. Directed by Chloé Zhao, the film explores American nomadic life, starring Frances McDormand in a powerful lead performance.
Best Director: Chloé Zhao also won Best Director for her work on Nomadland, making history as the second woman and first woman of color to win in this category.
Best Actor: Anthony Hopkins won Best Actor for his role in The Father. His portrayal of a man grappling with dementia was heart-wrenching and profound, earning him his second Oscar.
Best Actress: Frances McDormand won Best Actress for her role in Nomadland. Her portrayal of Fern, a woman living on the road after losing everything in the Great Recession, was widely acclaimed for its authenticity and depth.
Best Supporting Actor: Daniel Kaluuya won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah. His powerful performance brought to life the charisma and tragedy of the Black Panther leader.
Best Supporting Actress: Youn Yuh-jung won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Minari. Her endearing and humorous performance as a grandmother adapting to life in rural America was a standout.
Best Original Screenplay: Emerald Fennell won Best Original Screenplay for Promising Young Woman. The film’s sharp, provocative script was praised for its boldness and relevance.
Best Adapted Screenplay: Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller won Best Adapted Screenplay for The Father, adapting Zeller’s stage play into a compelling and intricate film.
Here is a detailed table of the winners and nominees of the 2021 American Movie Awards:
| Category | Winner | Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Best Picture | Nomadland | The Father Judas and the Black Messiah Mank Minari One Night in Miami Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal |
| Best Director | Chloé Zhao | David Fincher – Mank Emerald Fennell – Promising Young Woman Lee Isaac Chung – Minari Regina King – One Night in Miami Shaka King – Judas and the Black Messiah |
| Best Actor | Anthony Hopkins | Riz Ahmed – Sound of Metal Chadwick Boseman – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Gary Oldman – Mank Steven Yeun – Minari Delroy Lindo – Da 5 Bloods |
| Best Actress | Frances McDormand | Carey Mulligan – Promising Young Woman Viola Davis – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Andra Day – The United States vs. Billie Holiday Vanessa Kirby – Pieces of a Woman Michelle Pfeiffer – French Exit |
| Best Supporting Actor | Daniel Kaluuya | Sacha Baron Cohen – The Trial of the Chicago 7 Leslie Odom Jr. – One Night in Miami Paul Raci – Sound of Metal Lakeith Stanfield – Judas and the Black Messiah Jared Leto – The Little Things |
| Best Supporting Actress | Youn Yuh-jung | Maria Bakalova – Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Glenn Close – Hillbilly Elegy Olivia Colman – The Father Amanda Seyfried – Mank Helena Zengel – News of the World |
| Best Cinematography | Erik Messerschmidt | Joshua James Richards – Nomadland Roger Deakins – News of the World Sean Bobbitt – Judas and the Black Messiah Floyd Crosby – The Trial of the Chicago 7 Jorg Widmer – Mank |
| Best Film Editing | Andrew Buckland and Michel Webber | Yorgos Mavropsaridis – Nomadland Keri Rea – The Father Hannah Beachler and James Samuel – Da 5 Bloods Jill Bilcock – Promising Young Woman Jeffrey Ford and Robert Fisher Jr. – Mank |
| Best Original Score | Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Jon Batiste | Ludwig Göransson – Tenet James Newton Howard – News of the World Emile Mosseri – Minari Gustavo Santaolalla – The Midnight Sky Hans Zimmer – Dune |
| Best Original Song | “Fight for You” from Judas and the Black Messiah | “Husavik” – Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga “Hear My Voice” – The Trial of the Chicago 7 “Io Si (Seen)” – The Life Ahead “Speak Now” – One Night in Miami |
| Best International Feature Film | Another Round | Better Days Collective Quo Vadis, Aida? The Man Who Sold His Skin |
| Best Animated Feature Film | Soul | Onward Over the Moon Wolfwalkers Earwig and the Witch |
| Best Documentary Feature Film | My Octopus Teacher | Time Crip Camp The Social Dilemma Collective |
| Best Documentary Short Film | Colette | A Concerto is a Conversation Do Not Split Hunger Ward Love Song |
| Best Live Action Short Film | Two Distant Strangers | Feeling Through The Present Not Alone White Eye |
| Best Animated Short Film | If Anything Happens I Love You | Burrow Genius Loci Opera Yes-People |
Conclusion
The 2021 American Movie Awards highlighted the exceptional talent and creativity that defined the film industry in 2020. From groundbreaking performances to technical achievements, the winners showcased a broad spectrum of cinematic excellence.
The recognition of diverse stories and innovative filmmaking underscored the depth and richness of modern cinema. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their outstanding contributions to the art of film. The event not only celebrated the industry’s resilience but also set a high bar for future cinematic endeavors.