After two years, the #OscarsSoWhite controversy is far from over but the good news is that there has been non-white actors and actresses nominated for the four categories in this year’s Academy Awards: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.

Denzel Washington received his fifth Best Actor nomination for his role in Fences, in which he also directed and is up for a Best Picture nomination as well. At eight nominations, Washington is now the most nominated African American actor in the Academy Awards.

Ruth Negga has been nominated for Best Actress for her role in Loving. She is the first black European and African actress nominated in a lead acting category.

Mahershala Ali has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Moonlight, while Dev Patel is nominated for the same award for his role in Lion. The Best Supporting Actress award has had a notable first in which three black actresses were nominated for the same award: Viola Davis for Fences, Naomie Harris for Moonlight and Octavia Spencer for Hidden Figures.

It is not the first time in which three non-white actress were nominated for the same awards as a similar occurrence happened a decade ago when black actress Jennifer Hudson won the award for her role in Dreamgirls with fellow non-white actresses nominated being Mexican actress Adriana Baranza and Japanese actress Rinko Kikuchi, for their roles in Babel.

Will this happen in future ceremonies? Only time will tell. The 89^th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday 26^th February on ABC. Comedian and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel will host the ceremony.