Diversity takes centre stage at 2017 Oscar nominations

Diversity took centre stage at the 89th Academy Award nominations.

The Academy will no doubt be hoping to put last year’s #OscarsSoWhite controversy behind them after it was revealed seven people of colour have been listed amongst the 20 acting nominations.

‘Fences’ Denzel Washington has received a nod for Best Actor in a Leading Role whilst ‘Loving’s Ruth Negga secured a nomination in the Best Actress in a Leading Role category.

‘Moonlight’s Mahershala Ali received a nod for the Best Supporting Actor gong whilst his co-star Naomie Harris will go head to head with ‘Hidden Figures’ Octavia Spencer and ‘Fences’ Viola Davis for the Best Supporting Actress award.

It is the first time a black actor or actress has been nominated in every acting category – Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress – in the same year.

Elsewhere, in the directing category, Barry Jenkins secured a nomination for ‘Moonlight’ whilst Ava DuVernay’s ’13th’ received a nod for Best Documentary Feature.

Meanwhile, Mahershala Ali previously called for nominations for actors and actresses of colour to start becoming "something that becomes really normal".

Before the nominations were announced, he said: "I would love to see people of colour continue to get opportunities and have opportunities to do projects that are action blockbusters as well as being a part of projects that are art house and indie or projects that in some way find themselves around and in the conversation every awards season. We want to exist in all platforms and we want to see diversity and see people being included on every level. I hope that this is a real beginning for that."