Nate Parker (right) wrote, directed and stars in Birth of a Nation. Parker was one of the five nominated filmmakers in the outstanding directorial achievement for a first-time feature film category, on Thursday, the only major awards recognition Birth of a Nation has received so far. In the main category for outstanding directorial achievement in a feature film, five awards-season frontrunners were nominated. Despite Fox Searchlight standing behind the film and campaigning for awards, the movie has failed to land recognition until now. La La Land, about two struggling artists falling in love against the backdrop of Hollywood, has emerged as the film to beat this year, sweeping last week's Golden Globes with seven wins including best comedy/musical film.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 12, 2017 21:18 UTC