Beverly Hills, CA – The calm before the storm descended on the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, February 10th, as the nominees for the 98th Academy Awards gathered for the annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon. The event, a tradition dating back to 1982 and returning after a one-year hiatus due to the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires, offered a rare moment of respite amidst the increasingly competitive awards season.
Among the 230 nominees representing 29 countries and regions, a palpable sense of camaraderie filled the ballroom. Stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, and Emma Stone mingled with lesser-known nominees from categories ranging from animation to sound, sharing champagne and posing for the traditional class photo. The luncheon served as a brief pause before voting begins on February 26th, a point Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor emphasized in her remarks.
The gathering wasn’t without its notable interactions. Jacob Elordi, the 6’5” star of “Frankenstein,” was observed warmly greeting Teyana Taylor, a supporting actress nominee for “One Battle After Another.” Nearby, DiCaprio caught up with Steven Spielberg, revisiting their collaboration on the 1998 film “Catch Me If You Can.” Paul Thomas Anderson, also nominated for directing “One Battle After Another,” engaged in conversation with Joachim Trier, director of “Sentimental Value.” Even veteran songwriter Diane Warren, a 17-time nominee, paused to capture a selfie, seemingly still energized by the experience.
The luncheon also provided a platform for emerging voices in cinema. Christalyn Hampton, co-director of the documentary short “The Devil Is Busy,” expressed excitement at connecting with Ryan Coogler, whose “Sinners” leads this year’s nominations with a record 16 nods. “We’re two African American directors nominated this year — I think that’s pretty historic,” Hampton said. Her nomination represents a significant moment for independent filmmaking and diverse representation within the Academy.
However, the celebratory atmosphere couldn’t entirely eclipse the broader anxieties facing the film industry. Discussions reportedly drifted towards the ongoing consolidation of media companies, specifically the potential acquisitions of Warner Bros. By Netflix or Paramount. These conversations underscored the uncertainty surrounding the future of theatrical distribution and the evolving landscape of film production.
Howell Taylor acknowledged these concerns in her address, praising the nominees’ resilience in the face of industry upheaval, political instability, and global conflict. “The art you create is vital,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of continuing to tell stories despite the challenges. She also offered practical advice for Oscar night, urging nominees to keep acceptance speeches concise – under 45 seconds – and to avoid the inevitable oversight of forgetting to thank someone.
The luncheon also held particular significance for nominees whose work reflects challenging global realities. Sara Khaki, co-director of the documentary feature nominee “Cutting Through Rocks,” which follows a woman elected to a rural Iranian council, spoke of the bittersweet experience of celebrating her nomination amidst ongoing protests and unrest in her home country. The absence of Mehdi Mahmoudian, a co-writer of Jafar Panahi’s nominated drama “It Was Just an Accident,” due to his recent arrest in Iran, served as a stark reminder of the risks faced by filmmakers working in politically sensitive environments.
The Academy also asked nominees to share the film that initially inspired them to pursue a career in filmmaking. Chloé Zhao, nominated for directing “Hamnet,” chose Hirokazu Kore-eda’s 1998 film “After Life,” citing its quiet humanity and profound exploration of memory. These responses, Howell Taylor explained, will be incorporated into the Oscar telecast on March 15th, hosted by Conan O’Brien.
As the luncheon concluded, a sense of both optimism and apprehension hung in the air. While the event offered a welcome respite from the pressures of awards season, the nominees were acutely aware that the majority – roughly 80% – would ultimately leave the ceremony empty-handed. Nevertheless, the luncheon served as a powerful reminder of the shared passion and dedication that unites the filmmaking community, and the enduring power of cinema to connect and inspire audiences worldwide.
