Brad Pitt's 'F1' Film Advances in Five Oscar Categories

Brad Pitt's Formula 1 film has taken a significant step toward potential Oscar glory, being shortlisted in five key technical categories for the 97th Academy Awards. The movie's inclusion highlights its cinematic craftsmanship and keeps it in contention for one of the industry's highest honors.

Why it matters:

An Oscar nomination, let alone a win, would be a monumental achievement for a motorsport-centered film, validating the project's ambitious scale and technical execution. It represents a major cultural milestone for F1, elevating the sport's narrative appeal beyond the racetrack and into mainstream prestige cinema, following in the tire tracks of acclaimed predecessors like Ford v Ferrari.

The details:

The Apple Original Films production, directed by Joseph Kosinski, remains in the running for Oscars in:

• Cinematography (1 of 16 films shortlisted)
• Music (Original Score) (1 of 20)
• Music (Original Song) for Ed Sheeran's "Drive" (1 of 15)
• Sound (1 of 10)
• Visual Effects (1 of 10)

Being shortlisted means the film is among the top contenders selected by Academy members in each branch, though it does not guarantee a final nomination. The movie shares categories with blockbusters like Avatar: The Way of Water, Tron: Ares, and Jurassic World: Rebirth.

The big picture:

This recognition follows the film's substantial commercial success, having grossed over $630 million globally. Its path mirrors other successful racing films; John Frankenheimer's Grand Prix (1966) won three Oscars, and James Mangold's Ford v Ferrari (2019) was nominated for Best Picture and won for Best Film Editing and Best Sound Editing. The project also boasts significant F1 pedigree, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton serving as an executive producer alongside veteran producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

What's next:

The journey to the Oscars continues with a critical phase ahead.

• Nominations voting opens on January 12, 2025, and closes on January 16.
• The official list of nominees across all categories will be announced on January 22.
• The 97th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 15, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. If F1 secures nominations, it will mark a rare and celebratory moment for motorsport storytelling on cinema's biggest stage.