"Award contenders" refers to movies, shows, or individuals that are likely to be considered for and have a good chance of winning prestigious awards, like the Oscars, Golden Globes, or Emmy Awards. Full definition
There's a sense of genuine chance, and also that audiences at the festival aren't just getting a preview of awards contenders that are about to roll out to theaters everywhere. (film.avclub.com)
First of all, it's a terrific movie, one of my favorites of 2015 so far, and a legitimate Academy Award contender. (hollywoodnews.com)
British audiences proved this past weekend that they have an appetite for serious films, putting three of the year's top awards contenders in the first three spots on the box office chart. (contactmusic.net)