Welcome to Selection Awards HQ! Your weekly command heart for the Oscars race.
It’s Dec. 8, 2025, and we’re deep within the thick of it. The previous seven days have been a whirlwind of main awards season benchmarks, and if anybody thought this yr’s race would comply with a predictable script, they have been confirmed improper.
The Golden Globe nominations dropped Monday, marking a notably worldwide and genre-diverse discipline, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After One other” main all movies with 9 nominations. Different high contenders included “Sentimental Worth,” “Sinners,” “Marty Supreme” and “The Secret Agent,” whereas movies like “Jay Kelly” and “Depraved: For Good” fell brief in greatest image (comedy), regardless of a number of nods.
Simply days prior, the Critics Alternative Awards nominations added gasoline to the hearth, serving to make clear which movies are gaining actual momentum. “Bugonia” snagged a shock greatest image nom, along with its star Emma Stone. On the similar time, there have been sturdy showings with appearing nominations for Jacob Elordi (“Frankenstein”) and Jessie Buckley (“Hamnet”) signaled actual warmth behind the performances.
Then got here the Los Angeles Movie Critics Affiliation on Sunday night time, throwing a couple of calculated curveballs. Ethan Hawke picked up main efficiency for “Blue Moon” alongside Rose Byrne’s work in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” which brings her three of the “Massive 4” critics awards, with the Nationwide Society of Movie Critics nonetheless to come back in January.
This week additionally introduced main occasions throughout the circuit, from studio FYC screenings and Q&As to the early guild buzz already starting to percolate. It’s been every week that sharpened the image, and in some instances, rewrote it completely.
As at all times, every week, we’ll ship sharp evaluation, unique interviews with key contenders (each above and under the road), and inside reads on the behind-the-scenes shifts affecting the race.
We’re at all times seeking to highlight distinctive angles, rising expertise, and sharp on-the-ground reporting. E mail me at cdavis@selection.com for submissions and protection consideration.
Atone for the week’s high 5 occasions under.
Contained in the NYC ‘Sinners’ Luncheon: A Starry Celebration In Soho
On Dec. 2, Warner Bros. hosted an intimate luncheon at Manuela in Soho to rejoice Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” one of many season’s most intently watched awards contenders.
The occasion introduced collectively an eclectic and highly effective mixture of filmmakers, actors, producers, and tastemakers for a day of dialog, connection and celebration of the movie’s rising momentum.
Hosted simply days earlier than Golden Globe and Critics Alternative nominations have been introduced, the luncheon functioned as each a quiet flex and a strategic push, reminding voters and influencers alike of the movie’s cultural affect and deep artistic bench.
Among the many attendees have been author and director Ryan Coogler, star Michael B. Jordan, and co-star Delroy Lindo. Additionally current on the occasion have been: Gayle King, Laverne Cox, Phylicia Rashad, Shaka King, Julie Sprint, Magnificence Bratton, and Barbara Broccoli.
Different notable friends included Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, Todd Komarnicki, Stella Meghie, Omar Benson Miller, Marsha Stephanie Blake, and comic Hannibal Buress.
The room additionally included a number of award-winning filmmakers and Academy members corresponding to Dee Rees, J.C. Chandor, and Lisa Cortés, in addition to casting director Francine Maisler and composer Jon Batiste.
Reba McEntire Hosts Starry ‘Track Sung Blue’ Occasion at DGA
Hugh Jackman, Reba McEntire, Kate Hudson and Craig Brewer seen at a particular screening of ‘Track Sung Blue’
Focus Options through Getty Photos
On Dec. 7, Focus Options teamed up with nation music icon Reba McEntire to host a particular screening of “Track Sung Blue” on the Administrators Guild of America in Los Angeles.
The occasion was a part of the continued awards push for Craig Brewer’s musical drama, which has been constructing sturdy phrase of mouth the previous few weeks.
The night drew a packed home of Academy members, DGA voters, and trade insiders, with illustration from main businesses together with WME. Following the screening, McEntire launched a energetic and heartfelt Q&A that includes director/author/producer Craig Brewer alongside stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.
“Track Sung Blue” has been quietly rising as one of many season’s sleeper contenders, significantly for Hudson, whose efficiency has been singled out in latest screenings, and simply garnered a Golden Globe nom for greatest actress (comedy).
Charlize Theron Joins Baz Luhrmann for ‘Depraved: For Good’ Celebration in L.A.
Miranda McDonald
On Dec. 2, Baz Luhrmann hosted a particular celebration for Common Footage’ “Depraved: For Good,” that includes a reside efficiency and reception in Los Angeles. The occasion, a part of the studio’s ongoing awards season marketing campaign, highlighted the movie’s authentic music and showcased its ensemble forged. Among the many notable attendees was Charlize Theron, including star energy to the night. The celebration drew trade voters, guild members, and creatives for an evening honoring the musical’s achievements. As “Depraved: For Good” builds momentum this season, the Luhrmann-led occasion served as a classy reminder of the movie’s creative and cultural affect.
Documentary Oscar Hopeful ‘Predators’ Positive aspects Awards Momentum
After premiering at Sundance 2025 to widespread acclaim, “Predators” has steadily emerged as one of many yr’s high documentary contenders. Directed by David Osit and distributed by MTV Documentary Movies, whose latest Oscar observe document consists of “Ascension,” “The Everlasting Reminiscence,” and “Black Field Diaries,” the movie has constructed momentum by the autumn season.
At present boasting a 98% Licensed Recent score on Rotten Tomatoes, “Predators” has resonated with critics and audiences alike throughout its theatrical run in over 35 markets.
With assist constructing from each critics and the documentary department, “Predators” is positioning itself as a darkish horse contender in a aggressive nonfiction discipline this awards season.
‘Sentimental Worth’ Ramps Up Awards Season Presence With Tastemaker Occasions in L.A. and NYC
Stephanie Augello
Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Worth” continued to solidify its standing as a serious awards season contender with a sequence of high-profile screenings and Q&As this previous week, drawing enthusiastic assist from voters in accordance with sources and attendees.
On Dec. 1, the Administrators Guild of America hosted a packed screening adopted by a considerate dialog between Trier and editor Olivier Bugge Coutté, moderated by Judd Apatow.
The marketing campaign continued in New York on Dec. 3, the place the “Sentimental Worth” crew held a tastemaker screening at iPic Fulton for Academy members. Trier was joined by stars Stellan Skarsgård, Renate Reinsve and Elle Fanning. Academy Award winner Sofia Coppola (“Misplaced in Translation”) launched the screening, including an additional layer of status and assist.
