The supporting actor categories are among the most difficult to predict because many times they are made up of breakout actors or unexpected scene stealers. For instance, last year Lupita Nyong'o won the Oscar for her role in "12 Years a Slave." At this point in the year, no one saw the actress have such a huge breakout and no one would have guessed she would be such a scene-stealer considering her short role in the film. A number of films have yet to be seen so it is hard to guess mid-year what actors will provide similar moments. However, there are still potential contenders at this early stage in the year that could be making waves during award seasons.

Jessica Chastain has the most buzz in this category for her work in "A Most Violent Year." While the film does not yet have a release date, there is speculation that the movie will be seen in the fall festival circuit and A24 will release it in November. Chastain has been nominated for two Academy Awards and she is increasingly becoming one of Hollywood's favorite actresses. However, since the movie has yet to be seen, it is unknown if the role is really supporting or a lead role.

Two actresses who could compete from the same movie are Anna Kendrick and Emily Blunt for "Into the Woods." Rob Marshall has a consistent record at the Oscars as most of his movies have obtained female actresses nominations. Out of his two previous musicals, both Penelope Cruz and Catherine Zeta-Jones obtained Supporting Actress nominations. If the film is any good and the acting is great then Blunt would obtain her first nomination while Kendrick could be getting her second; she was previously nominated for her turn in "Up in the Air" which also starred George Clooney and Vera Farmiga.

Keira Knightley may finally get her second nomination for her work in "The Imitation Game." After receiving a nomination for "Pride and Prejudice," the actress has become one of the most divisive in the industry. Some of her most difficult and best work such as "A Dangerous Method" and "Anna Karenina" has been criticized and overlooked. However Knightley continues to push herself in different and unique projects and this year she steps out of a lead role to do a supporting character. The Weinstein Company is distributing the film and that will help her Oscar chances because the company is famous for its Oscar campaigns; if her performance receives raves then she will easily get a second nomination.

Felicity Jones has been on the radar for a long time ever since her breakout in 2011 in the film "Like Crazy." The actress has since built an impressive resume, which includes a lead turn in "The Invisible Woman," and "Breathe In." This year she could finally be up for an Oscar for her work in "Theory of Everything." The movie has no release date yet but Focus Features is scheduled to handle domestic release. However it is likely slated for the fall festival circuit, which boost her chances if the movie is a hit.

After having scored a nomination for "The Help," Viola Davis is reuniting with Tate Taylor for "Get On Up." Davis is one of the most respected actresses in the business at the moment and, while it seems that her role in the movie will be short, it is important to remember that Davis scored her first nomination for her work on one scene in "Doubt."

One of the films that is getting a lot of buzz is "Carol," the new film by Todd Haynes. The film features two female supporting roles that are being played by Sarah Paulson and Rooney Mara. Paulson had a breakout performance last year in "12 Years a Slave" for which many pundits felt she was snubbed of a nomination. Meanwhile, Mara is already an Oscar nominee and has received raves for her work in "Her" and "Side Effects." While their new film is being released by the Weinstein Company, production recently wrapped and the movie still does not have a release date. As a result these two actresses are far from sure bets for supporting actress nominations.

Other actresses who could be in the mix are Dorothy Atkinson for her revealing turn in "Mr. Turner," Laura Dern for "Wild," Kristen Scott Thomas for either "Suite Francaise" or "My Old Lady," and Marisa Tomei for "Love is Strange."