Oscars 2017: What to expect from nominations?

With La La Land still expected to lead the pack, there are many unanswered questions regarding Tuesday's Academy announcement.

Damien Chazelle's whimsical musical has conquered the hearts of critics, audiences and awards juries this year, with most expecting it to dominate the 2017 Oscar nominations.

While Chazelle is almost sure to receive a nod for best director and film, it will be the technical categories which will give La La Land supremacy as far as nominations go.

Being a musical - and a critically acclaimed one - La La Land guarantees a nod for best score, best song, best sound editing and best sound mixing.

Being a musical which relies heavily on visuals, the film is also likely to tick the box for best production design, cinematography, costume and editing.

But while it is likely the film will also be present in all the main categories such as best actor and best actress - for Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone - winning them might prove a tougher challenge.

Although it fared well at the Golden Globes, the Oscars have a very different system of categories which may not work in favour of musical actors.

And that's not the only reason.

If it doesn't want to repeat last year's #OscarsSoWhite row, the Academy will have to recognise a couple of very strong contenders.

Here's a list of things to expect from Tuesday's nominations at 1.18pm UK time:

::Diversity

To avoid past scandals, the now seemingly more diverse Academy will have to notice Barry Jenkins' Moonlight.

The black, gay, coming-of-age drama is the most awarded film this season, and his critically-appraised ensemble cast will surely make its presence feel this afternoon.

As will Denzel Washington's Fences, which could see the actor nominated for best director and best actor along with co-star Viola Davis.

::Deadpool

The R-rated comic-book adaptation is Ryan Reynolds passion project, and one that could possibly see the once ugly duckling of Hollywood's critics turn into an Oscar-nominated actor.

::Indie-darlings

As much as the Academy has come to terms with the growing power of independent filmmaking, this year's box-office phenomenon Hell Or High Water will have to enter the race, not just for its acclaimed screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, but also for Jeff Bridge's tour de force performance.

Dennis Villeneuve's Arrival could be another presence to be reckoned.

The sci-fi drama will probably receive nods for its technical categories and for lead actress Amy Adams, who is likely to share the odds with Natalie Portman's portrait of Jackie Kennedy.

::What about the Brits?

British actors are likely to dominate this year's nominations, with Moonlight's Naomie Harris and Hacksaw Ridge's Andrew Garfield being a sure bet.

Less certain but still likely are the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson for Nocturnal Animals, Dev Patel for Lion and Hugh Grant for Florence Foster Jenkins.

Most critics have considered Britain's Andrea Arnold and her coming-of-age drama American Honey one of the best films of the year, protesting over the awards snub it has suffered since its release.

Remains to be seen if the Academy has what it takes to go against the current.

Other strong Oscar contenders are Kenneth Lonergan's Manchester By The Sea, Pablo Larrain's Jackie, Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge and Theodore Melfi's Hidden Figures.

::Watch live on the Paste BN website the Oscar nominations announcement from 1pm GMT