In the 90 years that the Academy Awards have existed, Rachel Morrison is the only woman ever nominated for Best Cinematography. In 90 years, Dee Rees is the second black woman to be nominated for screenwriting. In 90 years, no person of Asian descent has ever won for Best Screenplay. In 90 years, just five women have been nominated for Best Director. In 90 years, Jordan Peele is only the fifth black filmmaker to be nominated for Best Director.

These milestones are a testament to the drive for change in Hollywood as well as how far there still is to go. The creative genius of the new voices surfacing into the mainstream are evident in films like “Get Out,” “Lady Bird,” “Mudbound,” “The Big Sick” and “Call Me By Your Name.” These films, which are examples of some of the finest filmmaking of 2017, each hold a mirror to reality and refuse to exist within a vacuum.

“Get Out” is a dark allegorical narrative written and directed by Peele that was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Directing, Best Original Screenplay and Best Actor. The film, which was Peele’s feature film directorial debut, centers on the story of how a young man, Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), finds himself in danger while visiting his girlfriend’s (Allison Williams) family in upstate New York.

“Lady Bird” is a sharp comedy-drama that accurately depicts life as a teenager in early 2000’s Sacramento. Directed by Greta Gerwig, the film follows Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan), a high school senior navigating various relationships while applying for colleges on the East Coast. At the heart of the film is Lady Bird’s strained relationship with her mother (Laurie Metcalf), who is as equally strong-willed as the title character.

Gerwig’s film was nominated for five Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Directing, Best Original Screenplay, Best Leading Actress and Best Supporting Actress). This was a landmark accomplishment since Gerwig’s directorial nomination has made her only the fifth woman in history to receive the honor.

Regardless of whether “Get Out” and “Lady Bird” earn their well-deserved Oscar recognition, both films are strong works that will have a lasting impact within the film industry and popular culture.

Read more about some must-see movies before the Oscars this year here.