It’s that time of the year again: Awards season. With the Grammy’s and SAG awards behind us, it’s time to turn the attention to the Academy Awards. This year, the Oscars ceremony is making history, with “La La Land” up for more nominations than any other film in motion picture history. Additionally, the Academy nominated the most actors of color ever. The storylines surrounding this year’s awards are monumental; it will be a ceremony that no one is going to want to miss. Here are my picks for the winners of the major categories:

Best Picture: “La La Land”

Continuing the recent two horse race trend between films of different style, “La La Land” and “Moonlight” are fighting it out for the most prestigious award. With each film both garnishing critical acclaim and an abundance of other awards, it’s a close call; “La La Land” barely edges out the victory thanks to Hollywood’s love affair with itself.

Best Director: Damien Chazelle – “La La Land”

Again, like the majority of categories from year to year, there seems to be two clear frontrunners: Chazelle and Barry Jenkins for “Moonlight.” Both directors have their respective films in the lead for Best Picture as well and the competition is equally as intense. I predict Chazelle wins the close battle again, taking home one of the many Oscars for his motion picture musical.

Best Actor: Casey Affleck – “Manchester by the Sea”

Although the award is not a guaranteed lock, Affleck is a strong frontrunner for winning this category. I don’t see anyone else pulling ahead of him before the final show.

Best Actress: Emma Stone – “La La Land”

This is unequivocally the most difficult main category to call. The competition is stiff, and all five performances are equally as moving. Emma Stone is barely the frontrunner; expect to see Isabelle Hupert of “Elle” and Natalie Portman of “Jackie” to give her a run for her money.

Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali – “Moonlight”

Ali is a lock for this award. The award is his to lose.

Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis - “Fences”

Probably an even stronger lock than Ali for her universally praised performance. Expect to hear a compelling acceptance speech.

Here are a few of my predictions for the lesser publicized categories:

Best Adapted Screenplay: “Moonlight” by Barry Jenkins

Best Original Screenplay: “The Lobster” by Yorgos Lanthimos & Efthimis Filippou

Best Animated Feature Film: “Zootopia”

Best Foreign Language Film: “The Salesman” (Iran)

Best Cinematography: “Silence” – Rodrigo Prieto

Best Original Score: “La La Land”

Tune in to watch the Academy Awards on February 26!