Oscar Rule Explains ‘Sinners’ Snub of Hailee Steinfeld’s Song for Best Original Song

The upcoming film “Sinners,” directed by Ryan Coogler, is gaining significant attention for its potential at the Oscars. This vampire thriller features strong performances and top-notch production quality, making it a compelling contender for the Best Original Song category.

Sinners’ Competitive Edge for Oscars

Set to hit theaters in April, “Sinners” is already surrounded by buzz due to its acclaim. It features a standout performance, impressive cinematography, and a captivating score. However, with the release of other high-profile films, such as “One Battle After Another,” the competition is heating up.

Soundtrack Submission Strategy

The film’s soundtrack plays a crucial role in its awards strategy. Warner Bros. recently announced the submission of two songs for the Best Original Song category:

• “I Lied to You” by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson
• “Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” by Alice Smith, Miles Caton, and Göransson

“I Lied to You” features prominently in one of the film’s key sequences, while “Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” plays during the film’s end credits. This strategic selection not only highlights the film’s musical achievements but also creates additional Oscar opportunities for breakout star Miles Caton, who is already a contender for Best Supporting Actor.

Oscar Submission Guidelines

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences rules dictate that no more than three songs from a single film may be submitted. This presents a challenge for films with multiple original compositions. To streamline its chances, Warner Bros. likely opted for only two submissions to avoid splitting the vote among multiple songs.

The guidelines specify that submitted tracks must have a clear and substantial presence in the film. This is why some songs, like “Dangerous” by Hailee Steinfeld, were not chosen, as they do not meet the visibility criteria required for consideration.

Future Award Considerations

While the Oscars set forth specific requirements for song submissions, other award shows, such as the Grammys, remain open for films like “Sinners.” The music from this cinematic venture may still garner recognition in various categories, depending on their eligibility.

As the awards season approaches, “Sinners” continues to spark debate about its song selections. Viewers are encouraged to share their thoughts on whether the right tracks were chosen for submission.