Top takeaways from the 2021 awards season

This year’s Cannes Film Festival, which wrapped this weekend, was a bit of a mixed bag, according to various reports. The red carpets wowed as usual, complete with the glamour of yesteryear (as in pre-pandemic). Moving moments such as Matt Damon tearing up at the premiere of his film "Stillwater" made it almost seem like business as usual on the Croisette. On Saturday, the film "Titane" won the coveted Palme d’Or prize during the final evening's awards ceremony. Jury president Spike Lee accidentally revealed it was the winner at the very beginning of the night, but that's another story... But the in-person COVID-19 restrictions, while very necessary, undoubtedly put a damper on this year's festival. There were far fewer attendees than in 2019 (Cannes was canceled last year because of the pandemic) and travel from certain countries was limited. Screenings required proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test, along with masks. Deal volume reportedly slowed to a trickle, with the majority of business done at the pre-festival virtual market. With the Cannes Film Festival arriving later in the year than in normal times — it usually takes place in May — the next awards season is fast approaching. Putting on...