Oscars 2023: Snubs & Surprises in the Music Shortlists 

Taylor Swift probably has mixed emotions about the Oscar shortlists, which were announced on Wednesday (Dec. 21). She is shortlisted for best original song for “Carolina” from Where the Crawdads Sing. For a folk-style ballad that wasn’t a big hit, that’s great.

On the other hand, she was not shortlisted for best live action short film for “All Too Well,” which she directed. “All Too Well” won three MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 28 — video of the year, best director and best long-form video.

Swift has had enough awards show experience to know that you win some and you lose some. But to not be shortlisted for a film that she cares deeply about and has worked hard to promote has to sting.

Swift’s pal Selena Gomez also got mixed news in the shortlists. “My Mind & Me,” which she co-wrote for Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, was shortlisted for best original song, though the film itself was not shortlisted for best documentary feature.

M.M. Keeravaani also knows the feeling. He was shortlisted for best original song for co-writing “Naatu Naatu” from RRR, though his score for that film failed to make the best original score shortlist.

Of course, some people got a double dose of good news. Ludwig Göransson, Alexandre Desplat, Simon Franglen and Ryan Lott of Son Lux are each shortlisted for both best original song and best original score.

The Motion Picture Academy released shortlists of between 10 and 15 semifinalists in 10 categories. Our focus here will be on the music categories – best original song and best original score – and two other categories that sometimes include music artists – documentary feature and live action short film.

Nominations for the 95th Oscars will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. Final round voting will be held March 2-7. The telecast, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will take place on Sunday, March 12, 2023, airing live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.

Here are some of the most notable snubs and surprises in the music shortlists.