‘It made me realise my future is in filmmaking’ The Fabelmans should win big. Whoever says it isn’t that exciting doesn’t understand the beauty of the film and its subtext. I’ve never seen such a positive portrayal of Judaism on screen that celebrates the unique lives we lead. When I came home the evening after watching it, I realised the only future that I can ever have is in filmmaking. This is what films are made for, to inspire. Janusz Kaminski’s cinematography is incredible and captures such nostalgia within the frame, and John Williams’ score elevates this into being heavenly. Uncle Boris is my spirit animal, and the Jesus jokes are hilarious. Jacob Epstein, 19, London ‘I just hope it’s not an Avatar-fest’ I’m usually quite critical of biopics and was ready to dislike the Elvis film as I grew up on his music and films, but I was surprised. Austin Butler should get the gong – for a relative unknown to look, talk, and sing like him (and do such a good job acting) in such as high-profile movie is impressive. The film itself was brilliant, but I think All Quiet on the Western Front might get best picture. Personally, I just hope the whole thing isn’t another Avatar-fest again. That film was as much an ordeal as a visual treat; I got the impression it was so long because James Cameron wanted to showboat how far CGI had come since the first film. It’s probably the first film I’ve seen that has overtly set out to win an Oscar – really obvious, and a bit insufferable at times. Matthew Connaughton, Manchester ‘Beautiful, without being precious’ Everything, Everywhere, All at Once is a beautiful mother-daughter story that contains multitudes, including the mundanity of our everyday lives and yet the beauty in them. They weaved so much together with such ease. Michelle Yeoh is fantastic, as is Ke Huy Quan. The directors are innovative with the form, yet it’s still commercial and doesn’t alienate casual audiences. Plus, it feels like a film that – in the creaking, convoluted Hollywood system – would in another universe quite similar to ours have never made it into production. But it did, and it gave us this exciting film that says so much about the human condition without being precious or pontificating. Catherine, 31, Shropshire ‘Babylon is not a perfect film, but the score was the best’ My choice is Justin Hurwitz for best original score, for Babylon. Babylon is not a perfect film, evidenced by its sheer lack of nominations. However, one thoroughly deserved nomination was Justin Hurwitz, for his magnificent score. The best way to describe this score is bombastic. It’s ludicrously in-your-face, completely in tune with the film’s excess and befits a story about characters with big hopes and dreams navigating through the Hollywood cesspool. Mark Harrison, 26, Manchester ‘An Cailín Ciuin illustrates the beauty of the Irish language’ An Cailín Ciuin (The Quiet Girl) would be my choice for best foreign language film. The simplicity of this story, with wonderful economy of dialogue illustrates the beauty of Gaeilge (Irish language) and the heartbreaking isolation of the young girl, consummately played by 12-year-old Catherine Clinch. It ends with her wonderful realisation that she can love and be loved and accepted in return. The film is not a one-off but is a testament to the outstanding work done by TG4, the Irish language TV channel, in establishing a firm base for filmmaking in Ireland. The other performers’ and technicians’ abilities seen throughout illustrate a team on top of their craft. An Oscar would be well-deserved. Pádraig O’Gorman, 75, Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland ‘I can’t think of a performance that matches it’ Tár: it’s a brave film tackling some current issues on gender politics and cultural identities without being too one sided or didactic. It’s both an intimate film focusing on human relationships and also a universal one through its portrayal of how power corrupts and influences behaviour. Blanchett’s performance is outstanding! She conveys complexity, emotional depth and fierce intelligence to say nothing of her courageous, utterly convincing portrayal as a conductor struggling to hold it together. I can’t think of another performance this year, male or female, that matches it. Fiona, Horsham, West Sussex ‘Decision To Leave should have been nominated’ Decision To Leave should have been nominated for best film. Park Chan-wook’s brilliant film took my breath away. A properly Hitchcockian thriller, it was gripping and beautifully shot with some incredible performances. Tang Wei (who should have been nominated for best actress) is mesmerising as the woman under suspicion of her husband’s murder. The story is brilliantly paced with sudden hairpin turns but beneath it all is an emotionally raw human drama. For days after seeing it, this film was all I could think about. Steven Lally, London ‘The Academy should keep track of the concerns of the new generations’ Women Talking, for best adapted screenplay. The Academy should keep track of the concerns and sociopolitical issues of the new generations and this movie, like Tár, deals with it perfectly. Women Talking highlights that patriarchal structure is still present and remains powerful in such a way that an isolated religious community shares very similar problems with middle class women in modern society. It deserves to win not only because of its cast, screenplay and cinematography, but because it’s time the Academy comes closer to the people who represent the future of cinema. Ailen, 23, Argentina ‘I was destroyed by the ending’ Ke Huy Quan absolutely deserves to win best supporting actor. What a return to the screen. He was one of my favourite actors growing up and he’s not lost the magic. It’s also amazing that Paul Mescal received a best actor nomination, but I think it’s a major miss that Aftersun wasn’t nominated in the best picture, best director and best supporting actress categories. Frankie Corio’s acting is exceptional for her young age. It’s an incredibly moving and understated piece of cinema. I was destroyed by the ending. Elaine, Dundee, Scotland ‘This mythic film shifted my soul’ My personal vote for the film that most deserves an Oscar is Close, for best international film. No other movie this year resonated as personally as this transcendent story about the friendship between two boys. I heard things in this movie that I’d never heard before, and it brings to mind how birds can hear sounds that humans cannot. It tapped me into that higher frequency as if I was hearing the whispered musings of angels. This mythic film shifted my soul in the most illuminating and beautiful ways. Lukas Dhont is a creative genius and I believe he is one of the most significant artists for the future of queer cinema. Michael, Seattle, USA