Insights from previous screenings and award speculation are garnering a lot of attention as the Oscar race intensifies following AFI Fest and before the presidential election. Disney's "Music by John Williams" and numerous more highly anticipated debuts from major studios like Sony and Netflix were among the high-profile films that the public saw for the first time during the AFI Fest.
At the global debut, Angelina Jolie's performance in "Maria" elicited notably positive reviews, whereas reactions to other movies, such as "Here" and "Juror No. 2," were more muted. The Academy members also had a busy week because they saw a number of movies, such as Netflix's "The Remarkable Life of Ibelin" and Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong's "The Apprentice."A24's "The Brutalist" was shown twice at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles. The Q&A sessions that followed received favorable comments, particularly from well-known guests like Sean Baker.
"Anora" led the Gotham Awards nominations, indicating a preference for independent films even when higher-budget films were eligible. With "Sugarcane" and "The Remarkable Life of Ibelin" making several prize shortlists, highlighting their significance and effect, the documentary race is also becoming more clear.
Although it is still in the running for best documentary feature, China's submission for best international film, "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru," suffered a blow when it was declared ineligible due to the Academy's language criteria.
"Anora" maintained its good performance in its second week at the box office, while "Conclave" made a successful start. More action is expected this weekend when movies like "Here," "Blitz," and "A Real Pain" go into limited release, escalating the excitement of awards season. As the film business prepares for its most prestigious event, the changing Oscar predictions continue to influence its landscape.