Oscars 2026 Winners Highlights from 98th Academy Awards

The 98th Academy Awards are underway at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, marking the culmination of Hollywood’s awards season. Hosted by Conan O’Brien for the second consecutive year, the ceremony features strong competition across major categories. Ryan Coogler’s vampire drama “Sinners” entered the event with a record 16 nominations, making it one of the night’s most closely watched films. India’s presence is marked by actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas appearing as a presenter and Indian-American filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir receiving dual nominations in the documentary categories.

Major Films Leading the Race

Several films are competing for the prestigious Best Picture award this year. The nominees include “Bugonia”, “F1”, “Frankenstein”, “Hamnet”, “Marty Supreme”, “One Battle After Another”, “The Secret Agent”, “Sentimental Value”, “Sinners”, and “Train Dreams”. Among them, “Sinners” gained significant momentum after winning the top honour at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The film’s strong nominations tally and the popularity of its cast have made it a major contender.

Acting Categories Draw Strong Competition

The race for Best Actor remains highly competitive. Nominees include Timothée Chalamet for “Marty Supreme”, Leonardo DiCaprio for “One Battle After Another”, Ethan Hawke for “Blue Moon”, Michael B. Jordan for “Sinners”, and Wagner Moura for “The Secret Agent”.

In the Best Supporting Actress category, Amy Madigan won for her role in “Weapons”. Other nominees included Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for “Sentimental Value”, Wunmi Mosaku for “Sinners”, and Teyana Taylor for “One Battle After Another”.

Early Technical and Creative Winners

Several winners have already been announced in technical and creative categories. “Frankenstein” won the award for Best Costume Design for Kate Hawley and also secured Best Makeup and Hairstyling for Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, and Cliona Furey. In the Best Casting category, Cassandra Kulukundis won for “One Battle After Another”.

In animation, “KPop Demon Hunters” won Best Animated Feature Film, while “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” won Best Animated Short Film.

Important Facts for Exams

• The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, USA.
• The Academy Awards are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
• The first Oscars ceremony took place in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
• The Oscar statuette officially represents a knight holding a crusader’s sword standing on a reel of film.

Global Presence and Indian Connection

The 2026 Oscars also highlight global participation in cinema. Indian representation includes Priyanka Chopra Jonas serving as one of the presenters during the ceremony. Filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir has received two nominations in documentary categories, reflecting the increasing presence of Indian-origin talent in international filmmaking. As the ceremony continues, winners in major categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor remain eagerly awaited.