Early predictions position “La Nieve” from Netflix’s *La Bola Negra* as the frontrunner following strong festival reception and the film’s international profile, with its charismatic in-film performance by Guitarricadelafuente aiding voter familiarity. A24’s *The Debut* song “This City May Have Chewed Me Up (But It Hasn’t Spit Me Out)” and Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” from Pixar’s *Toy Story 5* generate significant buzz, the latter boosted by Swift’s recent Academy Museum Gala performance. Diane Warren’s “By Any Means” and David Byrne’s “Let Me Sell You a Dream” from the *Musk* documentary add perennial and high-profile competition. Submissions closed October 14, with the shortlist due December 15 and nominations January 21; guild screenings and precursor awards will shape the music branch’s five nomination slots in this typically unpredictable category.