Oscar Nominations 2021: The Snubs And Surprises

10. Snub: Regina King - Best Director

Not to start off on a negative note, but where on earth was Regina King! The Oscar winner was passed over on the directing line-up for her directorial debut One Night In Miami... The story of four civil rights icons, including Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali, spending one night together was an intimate piece with minimal locations or action.

It could have fallen apart in the hands of a lesser director but King manages to make the film dynamic and cinematic with the skill of someone that has years more experience behind the camera than she does. She had already picked up a Globe nomination and was recognised by the DGA for her first time directing a feature film.

If she were to receive a nomination, King would have made history as the first black woman nominated in the category and would have brought the total of female directors nominated this year to three. One Night also missed out on a Best Picture nomination but managed to pick up bids for its adapted screenplay and doubly for Leslie Odom Jr.'s supporting performance and original song. Regina King deserved a spot on that list also.