Hollywood is poised for its biggest night, the 98th Academy Awards, a celebration of a year’s worth of cinematic artistry. The anticipation is palpable as the industry’s brightest stars prepare to gather at the Dolby Theatre, hoping to claim the coveted gold statue.
This year, one film dominates the nominations:Sinners, a gripping horror directed by Ryan Coogler, has achieved a record-breaking 16 nominations. The film’s success sets the stage for a potentially historic evening, with its cast and crew eagerly awaiting the results.
Close behindSinnersisOne Battle After Anotherwith 13 nominations, followed byFrankenstein,Marty Supreme, andHamnet, all tied with 9 nods. These films, alongsideBugonia,Sentimental Value,Train Dreams,The Secret Agent, andF1, will compete for the prestigious Best Picture award.
For viewers in the UK, the glamour of the Oscars will be accessible live and free, though a late night is required. The ceremony promises a captivating spectacle as the winners are revealed.
The UK broadcast will be exclusively on ITV1 and ITVX, with viewers in Central and Northern Scotland able to tune in via STV and STV Player. Jonathan Ross will lead the live coverage, beginning at 10:15pm, joined by a panel of insightful commentators.
Ross King will kick off the evening with red carpet coverage, capturing the arrival of the stars. The main ceremony is scheduled to begin at midnight, offering a direct link to the excitement unfolding in Hollywood.
The broadcast is expected to continue into the early hours of Monday morning, concluding around 2:35am. As with any live event, unexpected moments and surprises are always a possibility.
Hosting this year’s ceremony is Conan O’Brien, returning for his second year. He hints at a show filled with “magic,” promising “explosions” and innovative CGI, building on the success of his previous hosting experience.
The acting categories are particularly competitive. Michael B. Jordan is widely considered a frontrunner for Best Actor for his powerful performance inSinners, while Jessie Buckley is a strong contender for Best Actress for her role inHamnet.
Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent) are also nominated for Best Actor. Competing for Best Actress alongside Buckley are Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), and Emma Stone (Bugonia).
The Best Director category showcases a diverse range of talent, including Chloe Zhao (Hamnet), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value), and Ryan Coogler (Sinners).
Beyond the major awards, nominations span a wide array of categories, from original and adapted screenplays to animated features, international films, and technical achievements, highlighting the breadth of talent within the film industry.
