Oscar Season is Here: Guide to The Academy Awards 2017

It's Oscars season! The Academy Awards can be a tough to wrap your head around, so we've assembled a handy guide to what the awards mean, their history and nominations for The Academy Awards 2017. From understanding what appeals to the Academy, to looking at which films are looking to pick up and sweep the floor at the Oscars this year.

The first ceremony was on May 16th, 1929. Fifteen of the now iconic statues were handed out to actors and directors alike. While the academy has made efforts to diversify their judges, you're able to spot 'Oscar bait' a mile away. These films are usually similar in genre and directorial style. The Academy has also been known for discriminating against Science Fiction and Fantasy, the biggest exception being Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings.

This year, La La Land looks to sweep many of the awards, with other frontrunners Manchester by the Sea and Arrival also suggested to win big this year. The Oscars on average, raise the market rate of an actor or actress by 20% after a win, making this a life-changing result for some actors or actresses looking to make it big. This has most recently been the case for Felicity Jones, who gained notoriety after her nod in The Theory of Everything.

Whatever way you look at it, the most prestigious film award ceremony is also rooted in its own issues and culture. With that grain of salt taken, the Oscars are a worthy celebration of the Film-making craft. It's something that, regardless of celebrity culture, should be celebrated. Not only as an industry coming together but also as a great guide for what to watch at the start of the year, where the real blockbuster lull hits.

Here are this year's nominations for The Academy Awards 2017:

Best Picture Arrival Hacksaw RidgeHidden FiguresLionMoonlightFencesHell or High WaterLa La LandMachester by the Sea

Best DirectingDenis Villeneuve - ArrivalMel Gibson - Hacksaw RidgeDamien Chazelle - La La LandKenneth Lonergan  - Manchester by the SeaBarry Jenkins - Moonlight

Performance by Actor in Leading RoleCasey Affleck - Manchester by the SeaAndrew Garfield - Hacksaw Ridge Ryan Gosling - La La LandViggo Mortensen - Captain FantasticDenzel Washington - Fences

Best Leading ActressIsabelle Huppert - ElleRuth Negga - LovingNatalie Portman - JackieEmma Stone - La La LandMeryl Streep - Florence Foster Jenkins

Best Supporting ActorMahershala Ali - MoonlightJeff Bridges - Hell or High WaterLucas Hedges - Manchester by the SeaDev Patel - LionMicheal Shannon - Nocturnal Animals

Best Supporting ActressViola Davis - FencesNaomie Harris - MoonlightNicole Kidman - LionOctavia Spencer - Hidden FiguresMichelle Williams - Manchester by the Sea

Original ScreenplayHell or High WaterLa La LandThe LobsterManchester by the Sea20th Century Women

Adapted ScreenplayArrivalFencesHidden FiguresLionMoonlight

CinematographyBradford Young - ArrivalLinus Sandgren - La La LandGreig Fraser - LionRodrigo Prieto - Silence

Documentary FeatureFire at SeaI am not your NegroLife, AnimatedO.J: Made in America13th

Best Documentary Short SubjectExtremis4.1 MilesJoe's ViolinWatani: My HomelandThe White Helmets

Live-Action Short Ennemis InterieursLa Femme et le TVGSilent nightsSingTimecode

Sound EditingArrivalDeepwater HorizonHacksaw RidgeLa La LandSully

Sound MixingArrivalHacksaw RidgeLa La LandRogue One: A Star Wars Story13 hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Production DesignArrivalFantastic Beats and Where to Find ThemHail, Caesar!La La LandPassengers

Visual EffectsDeepwater HorizonDoctor StrangeThe Jungle BookKuo and the Two StringsRogue One: A Star Wars Story

Costume DesignAlliedFantastic Beasts and Where to Find ThemFlorence Foster JenkinsJackieLa La Land

Makeup and HairstylingA Man Called OveStar Trek: BeyondSuicide Squad

Original ScoreJackieLa La LandLionMoonlightPassengers

Original SongAudition (The Fools Who Dream) - La La LandCan't Stop The Feeling - TrollsCity of Stars - La La LandThe Empty Chair - Jim: The James Foley StoryHow Far I'll Go - Moana

Animated Feature FilmKubo and the Two StringsMoanaMy Life as a ZucchioThe Red TurtleZootopia

Animated Short FilmBlind VayshaBorrowed TimePear Cider and CigarettesPearlPiper

Film EditingArrivalHacksaw RidgeHell or High WaterLa La LandMoonlight