Hollywood loves a sequel, but on Thursday it was an unwelcome one when people of colour were shut out of all the Oscar acting races. Again.

All the 20 lead and supporting actor and actress nominees were white as for the second straight year, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences overlooked critically-acclaimed movies featuring black actors and directors.

Hip-hop hit movie Straight Outta Compton failed to get a place in the best picture category, and the Twitter hashtag #Oscarssowhite, which sprung up a year ago, was quickly revived. Will Smith (Concussion), Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation) and Michael B. Jordan (Creed) were among those thought to be in the running for a nomination but were left out.

“The snowstorms in The Revenant are almost as blindingly white as the 2016 Oscars,” read an e-card posted on Twitter by Someecards, referring to the movie that was filmed in freezing conditions and won a leading 12 nominations.

Gil Robertson, president of the African American Film Critics Association, the largest such body in the world, said the omissions were disappointing.

“For Sylvester Stallone to be the only nominee for Creed is totally a slap in the face to some of the other people involved in that project,” Robertson said.

The exclusions will likely give comedian Chris Rock, known for his sharp remarks, some powerful material for his turn as Oscar host on February 28 when the winners are announced. In a promotional Oscar video, Rock pours white talcum powder over his hands and claps them.