Oscars 2020: Sam Mendes’ 1917 leads Academy Awards charge, but will there be any surprises? Acting Oscars look sewn up already

War epic 1917 is tipped to win big at the Oscars, and Joaquin Phoenix and Renee Zellweger are seen as favourites for best actor and best actress

This year’s nominations have been criticised for a lack of diversity, with Cynthia Erivo the only non-white acting nominee

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Hollywood’s award season culminates at the Oscars tomorrow, with war epic 1917 starring George MacKay tipped to win big at the movie industry’s biggest night.

Published: 3:30pm, 8 Feb 2020Updated: 3:42pm, 8 Feb 2020

Hollywood’s award season reaches its extravagant finale at the Oscars tomorrow in the United States, with war epic 1917 tipped to dispatch a brigade of winners to the stage at the movie industry’s biggest night.

A-listers and upstart documentary filmmakers will brush shoulders on the red carpet at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre as months of campaigning for 24 gold statuettes boil down to a single night.

Sam Mendes’ 1917 launched a late assault on this year’s Academy Awards – it was first shown to voters barely two months ago – but experts predict it could outflank all rivals.

The first world war odyssey about two soldiers crossing no-man’s-land – filmed to appear like one continuous shot – has conquered nearly all in its path in the award shows building up to the big day.

Joaquin Phoenix in a still from Joker. Photo: Nico Tavernise

It is the favourite for multiple Oscars, from best director to cinematography, and the front-runner for best picture, the night’s top prize.