Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez & Best Picture

For nearly 20 years, Zoe Saldaña has starred in some of the most financially successful films in history, including “Avatar” and “Avengers: Endgame.” You’d think an actress with such an impressive résumé would have scripts and prominent roles constantly coming her way. Yet, in Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez,” where Saldaña plays Rita Moro Castro, she sings and dances, and in one high-energy number, “El Mal,” she shows the ferocity that shows the depth of her talent. It was a moment that left me incredibly frustrated with Hollywood. Despite her box office success, Saldaña has rarely been allowed to showcase the full range of her abilities. Why are we only learning about this now?

I expressed these sentiments to Telluride executive director Julie Huntsinger during an interview with Variety, and she confidently replied, “That all stops now.”

Read: You can see all Academy Award predictions in all 23 categories on one page on the Variety Awards Circuit: Oscars.

The Latina star is likely to be at the forefront of the Oscar race, depending on where she ultimately decides to campaign as either lead or supporting actress. Saldaña’s performance in “Emilia” harks back to the moment we watched Catherine Zeta-Jones’s portrayal of Velma Kelly in “Chicago” (2002), which led to an Oscar win. There’s a sense that Saldaña could follow a similar path this awards season.

But the compelling musical crime film isn’t just about Saldaña.

Writer, director, and producer Audiard received the Silver Medallion Tribute at Telluride on Friday evening, launching Netflix’s quest to nab the auteur his long overdue Oscar nom. Sometimes described as the “French Martin Scorsese,” the 72-year-old has won the Palme d’Or twice but has never been nominated for an Academy Award. This year, that could also change, as Audiard may find himself in the running for best picture, director or screenplay. He would…