2026 Oscars nominees gather for celebratory luncheon as awards season nears climax
TOI GLOBAL | Feb 11, 2026, 19:40 IST
Oscar nominees assembled in Los Angeles for the annual luncheon celebrating their achievements ahead of the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026. The event highlighted industry camaraderie, upcoming ceremony changes such as the new casting category, and the emotional significance of awards-season recognition.
Oscar nominees assembled in Los Angeles for the annual luncheon celebrating their achievements ahead of the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026. The event highlighted industry camaraderie, upcoming ceremony changes such as the new casting category, and the emotional significance of awards-season recognition.
Hollywood’s biggest stars came together in Los Angeles for the annual Oscars nominees luncheon, a traditional pre-ceremony gathering that celebrates achievement rather than competition. The event, held weeks before the Academy Awards telecast, offered actors, filmmakers, and creatives a rare moment of shared recognition ahead of one of the film industry’s most anticipated nights.
The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, continuing the long-running tradition of honoring excellence in cinema across multiple categories.
As anticipation builds, the nominees luncheon serves as a symbolic pause in the awards race an occasion where every attendee is already considered a winner simply by earning a nomination.
During the gathering, Academy leadership emphasized the importance of meaningful acceptance speeches and emotional storytelling, underscoring how memorable moments on stage can shape the legacy of an awards ceremony. The luncheon also provided an opportunity for nominees to connect, exchange congratulations, and celebrate the creative community that defines the Oscars.
The 2026 ceremony will introduce a historic change to the awards lineup with the debut of a competitive category honoring casting achievement. The addition marks the first new Oscar category in more than two decades and increases the total number of competitive awards presented during the ceremony.
Industry observers view the move as long-overdue recognition of the casting professionals whose decisions often determine a film’s emotional impact and commercial success.
Beyond structural changes, the ceremony continues a broader evolution aimed at maintaining audience engagement and industry relevance. The Academy has also implemented updated voting expectations to ensure members view nominated films before final ballots are cast, reinforcing credibility in the selection process.
While the luncheon itself carries no trophies, it remains one of the most cherished traditions of awards season. Nominees frequently describe the event as a moment of reflection an opportunity to step back from campaigning and appreciate the artistic journey that brought them to Hollywood’s biggest stage.
As the countdown to March 15 continues, attention will shift from celebration to suspense. Yet the spirit of the nominees luncheon endures as a reminder that the Oscars are not only about winning statues, but also about honoring collaboration, creativity, and the shared passion that drives filmmaking forward.
Hollywood’s biggest stars came together in Los Angeles for the annual Oscars nominees luncheon, a traditional pre-ceremony gathering that celebrates achievement rather than competition. The event, held weeks before the Academy Awards telecast, offered actors, filmmakers, and creatives a rare moment of shared recognition ahead of one of the film industry’s most anticipated nights.
The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, continuing the long-running tradition of honoring excellence in cinema across multiple categories.
As anticipation builds, the nominees luncheon serves as a symbolic pause in the awards race an occasion where every attendee is already considered a winner simply by earning a nomination.
During the gathering, Academy leadership emphasized the importance of meaningful acceptance speeches and emotional storytelling, underscoring how memorable moments on stage can shape the legacy of an awards ceremony. The luncheon also provided an opportunity for nominees to connect, exchange congratulations, and celebrate the creative community that defines the Oscars.
The 2026 ceremony will introduce a historic change to the awards lineup with the debut of a competitive category honoring casting achievement. The addition marks the first new Oscar category in more than two decades and increases the total number of competitive awards presented during the ceremony.
Industry observers view the move as long-overdue recognition of the casting professionals whose decisions often determine a film’s emotional impact and commercial success.
Beyond structural changes, the ceremony continues a broader evolution aimed at maintaining audience engagement and industry relevance. The Academy has also implemented updated voting expectations to ensure members view nominated films before final ballots are cast, reinforcing credibility in the selection process.
While the luncheon itself carries no trophies, it remains one of the most cherished traditions of awards season. Nominees frequently describe the event as a moment of reflection an opportunity to step back from campaigning and appreciate the artistic journey that brought them to Hollywood’s biggest stage.
As the countdown to March 15 continues, attention will shift from celebration to suspense. Yet the spirit of the nominees luncheon endures as a reminder that the Oscars are not only about winning statues, but also about honoring collaboration, creativity, and the shared passion that drives filmmaking forward.