This year’s Academy Awards will be held in March, featuring categories like Best Picture and Best Actor and prompting excitement among movie lovers.

In a survey of LHS students, “West Side Story” was predicted to be this year’s Best Picture winner. This musical stars actors Ansel Elgort as Tony and Rachel Zegler as Maria in a new rendition of the familiar story of two rival gangs and a pair of star crossed lovers. “West Side Story” is up against seven other films for Best Picture, including “Dune,” “The Power of the Dog,” “Don’t Look Up” and “Belfast.” 51.4% of students predicted that Ariana DeBose would be the winner of Best Supporting Actress for her role in this film as Anita, a fiend of Maria’s. Anita’s character is recognized for her vibrant personality and liveliness, which DeBose brings new life to. DeBose’s fellow nominees include Kirsten Dunst, Jessie Buckley, Aunjanue Ellis and Judi Dench. 

60.5% of students predicted that Andrew Garfield would win Best Actor for his role in “tick, tick… BOOM!” one of Netflix’s many Oscar-nominated originals released in the past year. Garfield portrays Jonathan Larson, an aspiring musician and composer who struggles to reach success. Garfield depicts Jonathan’s creativity and his feelings of hope yet worry as he tries to make a name for himself in New York. Other nominees for this category are Benedict Cumberbatch, Denzel Washington, Will Smith and Javier Bardem. 

Students predicted that “Don’t Look Up” would win Best Original Screenplay. This Netflix original film, written and directed by Adam McKay, is a satire that follows the story of two scientists who discover a comet heading towards earth and attempt to warn the indifferent public. The movie portrays a message about the urgency of climate change. Students predicted that “Dune” would win Best Adapted Screenplay. Based on the sci-fi novel of the same name, “Dune” brought Frank Herbert’s complex universe to the big screen in a two and a half-hour long film filled with action and suspense. Fellow nominees include “CODA,” “The Power of the Dog,” “The Lost Daughter” and “Drive My Car.”

53.8% of students predicted that “Spider-Man: No Way Home” would be the winner of Best Visual Effects. This new addition to the Marvel film franchise made $1.8 billion at the box office, breaking records. The film combined the universes of three Spider-Men, Andrew Garfield, Tobey Maguire and Tom Holland, making it a must-see for Marvel fans. Its competitors include “Dune,” “Free Guy,” “No Time to Die” and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”

76% of students predicted “Encanto” would receive the award for Best Original Score. This animated film follows the life of a magical family and includes elements of Colombian culture. It features original songs including “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” “The Family Madrigal” and “Surface Pressure.” This year’s Oscars awards will feature fan favorite movies, actors and actresses. Be sure to tune in and see who the winners will be.