The Oscar Narrative - Post Venice/Telluride/Toronto Nomination Predictions: Best Director

Post Venice/Telluride/Toronto Nomination Predictions

Olivia Wilde "The Invite"

Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo "La Bola Negra"

Christopher Nolan "The Odyssey"

Martin McDonagh "Wild Horse Nine"

Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim "You Can See Anything"

Other Contenders - Phil Lord and Chris Miller "Project Hail Mary", Ryusuke Hamaguchi,

"All of a Sudden", Denis Villeneuve "Dune: Part Three", David Fincher "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth", Jesse Eisenberg "The Debut", Cristian Mungiu "Fjord", Lee Chang-dong "Possible Love", Alejandro González Iñárritu "Digger", Luca Guadagnino "Artificial", Siân Heder "Being Heumann", Tony Gilroy "Behemoth!", Mike Leigh "Tender Loving Care", Peter Farrelly "I Play Rocky", Jordan Firstman "Club Kid", Curry Barker "Obesession", Travis Knight "Wildwood", Robert Eggers "Werwulf", Danny Boyle "Ink", Antoine Fuqua "Michael", Kane Parsons "Backrooms", Steven Spielberg "Disclosure Day", Andrew Haigh "A Long Winter"

Commentary - I feel good about Christopher Nolan and Ambrossi/Calvo at this point, but that is kind of it. Martin McDonagh also feels good as his recent track record with voters suggests he and the film will do well. Olivia Wilde has held on for The Invite, but I feel like that one may not last the onslaught. I also worry about You Can See Anything. No documentary has ever gotten a BP/BD Nod, but people are going nuts for its chances. So who replaces those two if things go differently? Lord and Miller are populist choices, which may hurt them with the directors. Denis Villenueve is overdue for another directors nod, but can he get in after missing out for the first two parts of Dune? There are a bunch of solid international film contenders, and usually at least one, often two have made the cut recently. So maybe Hamaguchi, Mungiu, or Chang-dong. Previous nominees and winners in this category like David Fincher, Steven Spielberg, Danny Boyle, Mike Leigh will compete with previous nominees and winners in other categories like Jesse Eisenberg, Luca Guadagnino, Tony Gilroy, and Sian Heder. Finally lookout for Eggers, Knight, Fuqua, Parsons, Haigh, Firstman, Barker, and Parsons, to breakthrough. 

The Oscar Narrative - Post Venice/Telluride/Toronto Nomination Predictions: Best Actor

Post Venice/Telluride/Toronto Nomination Predictions

Matt Damon "The Odyssey"'

Ryan Gosling "Project Hail Mary"

John Malkovich "Wild Horse Nine"

Andrew Scott "Elsinore"

John Turturro "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York"

Runners Up - Jafaar Jackson "Michael", Tom Cruise "Digger", Sebastian Stan "Fjord", Pedro Pascal "Behemoth!", Robert Pattinson "Primetime", Anthony Ippolito "I Play Rocky",  Yura Borisov "Artificial", Seth Rogen "The Invite", David Corenswet "Mr. Irrelevant", Austin Abrams "Whalefall", Austin Abrams "Resident Evil", Mahershala Ali "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother", Brad Pitt "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth", Jordan Firstman "Club Kid", Robert Aramayo "I Swear", Timothée Chalamet "Dune: Part III", Nathan Fielder "You Can See Everything", Aaron Taylor Johnson "Werewulf", Fred Hechinger "A Long Winter", Jack O'Connell "Ink"

Commentary - An interesting race with a lot of contenders from potential Oscar hopefuls, and not has many from the slam dunks. Let's start with the latter. Right now Matt Damon and John Malkovich seem like locks as their films are big BP Contenders. I also think that Ryan Gosling can hang on and manage to still be a potent contender as the critics awards start rolling in. Andrew Scott got a huge boost when Elsinore did so well at TIFF, and is positioning himself as a real contender. Finally, I am a bit up in the air about the last slot. I see a lot of love for veteran actor John Turturro to finally get an Oscar nod for The Only Living Pickpocket in New York. So I am putting him in, but he and the film need some help soon to keep his hopes alive. Beyond those five, Jaafar Jackson and Tom Cruise are still in the mix, but will have to overcome the mixed reactions to their films. Fjord seemed like it was going to do really well, but Sebastian Stan seems like an outsider (unlike Reinsve). Pascal, Pattinso, Ippolito, Borisov, and Rogen all appear in films that could be bigger contenders (which might bring them into the conversation). Austin Abrams as two shots for his breakthrough year. Pevious nominees and winners like Brad Pitt, Mahershala Ali, and Timothee Chalamet are battling it out with potential first time nominees like Jordan Firstman, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Jack O'Connell, Robert Aramayo, David Corenswet, and the true wildcard of the season, Nathan Fielder. 

11th Annual Critics Choice Documentary Award Nominations

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

14th (Netflix)

Everest: The Other Side (National Geographic Documentary Films)

Everybody to Kenmure Street (Icarus Films)

The History of Concrete (Magnolia Pictures)

Musk (Bleecker Street)

NAZA (The Guardian / mk2 films)

Once Upon a Time in Harlem (Neon)

Rehearsals for a Revolution (Sony Pictures Classics)

Remake (Music Box Films)

You Can See Everything (A24)

BEST DIRECTOR

Yuval Abraham & Rachel Szor – NAZA (The Guardian / mk2 films)

Felipe Bustos Sierra – Everybody to Kenmure Street (Icarus Films)

Ava DuVernay – 14th (Netflix)

Nathan Fielder & Lance Oppenheim – You Can See Everything (A24)

Ross McElwee – Remake (Music Box Films)

Orlando von Einsiedel – The Cycle of Love (Variance Films)

BEST FIRST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

David Greaves – Once Upon a Time in Harlem (Neon)

Baz Luhrmann – EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert (Neon)

Gabriela Osio Vanden & Jack Weisman – Nuisance Bear (Mubi)

Xander Robin – The Python Hunt (Oscilloscope Laboratories)

Poh Si Teng – American Doctor (Watermelon Pictures) 

John Wilson – The History of Concrete (Magnolia Pictures)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

David Bolen – You Can See Everything (A24)

David Bolen & Matt Clegg – The Python Hunt (Oscilloscope Laboratories)

Sophie Darlington – Lion (National Geographic)

Franklin Dow – The Cycle of Love (Variance Films)

Gabriela Osio Vanden & Jack Weisman – Nuisance Bear (Mubi)

Clair Popkin, Jimmy Chin, Christopher Murphy – Everest: The Other Side (National Geographic Documentary Films)

BEST EDITING

Spencer Averick – 14th (Netflix)

Anne de Mare & Lynn True – Once Upon a Time in Harlem (Neon)

Adam Locke-Norton – You Can See Everything (A24)

Colin Monie – Everybody to Kenmure Street (Icarus Films)

Jonathan Redmond – EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert (Neon) 

Cori Wapnowska – The History of Concrete (Magnolia Pictures)

BEST NARRATION

The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist (Focus Features)

Written by Daniel Roher & Caroline Lindy

Performed by Daniel Roher & Caroline Lindy

The History of Concrete (Magnolia Pictures)

Written by John Wilson

Performed by John Wilson

Lorne (Focus Features)

Written by Morgan Neville, Alan Lowe, Jake Hostetter

Performed by Chris Parnell

Nuisance Bear (Mubi)

Written by Mike Tunalaaq Gibbons

Performed by Mike Tunalaaq Gibbons

Rehearsals for a Revolution (Sony Pictures Classics)

Written by Pegah Ahangarani

Performed by Pegah Ahangarani

Remake (Music Box Films)

Written by Ross McElwee

Performed by Ross McElwee

BEST MUSIC SCORE

Ari Balouzian – You Can See Everything (A24)

Dan Deacon – Time and Water (National Geographic Documentary Films)

Caroline Ho – Everest: The Other Side (National Geographic Documentary Films)

Jason Moran – 14th (Netflix)

Cristóbal Tapia de Veer – Nuisance Bear (Mubi)

Hans Zimmer, Niccolò Pacella, George Hutson Warren – Lion (National Geographic)

BEST MUSIC DOCUMENTARY

Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World) (HBO Max)

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert (Neon)

Man on the Run (Amazon MGM Studios)

Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Peter Asher: Everywhere Man (Greenwich Entertainment)

Sara Bareilles: Good Grief (Group Effort Films / Naked Edge Films)

BEST POLITICAL DOCUMENTARY

14th (Netflix)

American Doctor (Watermelon Pictures)

Ask E. Jean (Abramorama)

Everybody to Kenmure Street (Icarus Films)

Musk (Bleecker Street)  

NAZA (The Guardian / mk2 films)

Union Town (Cabin Creek Films)

BEST HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY

14th (Netflix)

Once Upon a Time in Harlem (Neon)

Rehearsals for a Revolution (Sony Pictures Classics)

SCTV: The Greatest Show You’ve Never Heard Of (Netflix)

Soul Patrol (Kino Lorber)

Turning Point: Generation 9/11 (Netflix)

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL DOCUMENTARY

Avedon (Netflix)

Jean-Michel Basquiat (Netflix)

Lorne (Focus Features)

Marty, Life Is Short (Netflix)

Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! (HBO Max)

Musk (Bleecker Street)

BEST ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTARY

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert (Neon)

Making Marie Antoinette (Mubi)

Man on the Run (Amazon MGM Studios)

Once Upon a Time in Harlem (Neon)

Rehearsals for a Revolution (Sony Pictures Classics)

Remake (Music Box Films)

BEST SCIENCE/NATURE DOCUMENTARY

The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist (Focus Features)

Ghost Elephants (National Geographic Documentary Films)

Lion (National Geographic)

Nuisance Bear (Mubi)

Secrets of the Bees (National Geographic)

Time and Water (National Geographic Documentary Films)

BEST SPORTS DOCUMENTARY

The Dynasty: UConn Huskies (Apple TV)

Everest: The Other Side (National Geographic Documentary Films)

Give Me the Ball! (ESPN)

Rafa (Netflix)

Standout: The Ben Kjar Story (Samuel Goldwyn Films)

Tyson (Netflix)

BEST TRUE CRIME DOCUMENTARY

Baby Doe (Narrative Distribution)

Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story (Dark Star Pictures)

The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare (Netflix)

A Killer Story (HBO Max)

Lost Women of Alaska (Investigation Discovery)

Murder in Glitterball City (HBO Max)

BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY

The Baddest Speechwriter of All (Netflix)

A Derailment (POV)

Escalation (Bonfire Films)

Miller Night Football (HBO Max)

Oh Whale (The New Yorker / Switchboard Magazine)

The Second Life of Freddie Nole (Sweet World Films)

A Short Documentary About a Giant Pencil (archilux)

They’re Here (Praxis Films)

BEST LIMITED DOCUMENTARY SERIES

9/11: Reunited (National Geographic)

The Dark Wizard (HBO Max)

The Dynasty: UConn Huskies (Apple TV)

High Horse: The Black Cowboy (Peacock) 

Lion (National Geographic)

The Man Will Burn (HBO Max)

Rafa (Netflix)

BEST ONGOING DOCUMENTARY SERIES

30 for 30 (ESPN)

American Masters (PBS)

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (Netflix)

The Food That Built America (History)

Hazardous History with Henry Winkler (History)

Independent Lens (PBS)

Untold (Netflix)

The Oscar Narrative - Post Venice/Telluride/Toronto Nomination Predictions: Best Actress

Post Venice/Telluride/Toronto Nomination Predictions

Ruth Madeley "Being Heumann"

Julianne Moore "The Debut"

Inde Navarrette "Obsession"

Renate Reinsve "Fjord"

Olivia Wilde "The Invite"

Other Contenders - Virginia Efira "All of the Sudden", Sandra Huller "Rose", Sandra Huller "Fatherland", Rosalind Eleazar "Misty Green", Emily Blunt "Disclosure Day", Léa Seydoux "Gentle Monster", Marion Bailey "Tender Loving Care", Carrie Coon "The Liberation", Daisy Edgar-Jones "Sense and Sensibility",  Jeon Do-yeon "Possible Love", Meryl Streep "The Devil Wears Prada 2", Jessica Lange "Long Day's Journey into Night", Olivia Colman "Wicker", Zendaya "The Drama", Mason Reeves "Josephine", Mallori Johnson "Is God Is", Kara Young "Is God Is", Penelope Cruz "Bunker"

Commentary - Julianne Moore has had many Oscar nominations, and might be the next great actor two win a second one for The Debut. Olivia Wilde could be the next artist to get acting, writing, and maybe a directing nod in the same year for The Invite. Being Heumann is the Sian Heder follow-up to her Oscar-winning CODA, and Ruth Madeley could be this year's Troy Kotsur. Fjord seems to have lost some steam since Cannes, but Renate Reinsve has broken through and repeat nods tend to follow. Finally, I am not sure if Obsession is going to have the Sinners treatment, but Inde Navarrette is going to make a case for her inclusion. Beyond those tentative five, Virginia Efira has been getting a lot of buzz for Hamaguchi's latest, Sandra Huller has two great opportunities, Emily Blunt could return, and Rosalind Eleazar is getting a lot of deserved buzz. Previous nominees and winners like Meryl Streep, Jessica Lange, Olivia Colman, and Penelope Cruz are always possibilities. Plus a great mixture of veterans and newcomers ike Marion Bailey, Carrie Coon, Lea Seydoux, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jeon Do-yeon, Kara Young, Malori Johnson, Mason Reeves and Zendaya are always possibilities. 

41st Casting Society of America (CSA) Award Nominations: Television, Theater, Commercials, Short Film, and Short-Form Series

Television Series: Comedy

"Abbott Elementary" (S5): Wendy O'Brien, Chris Gehrt

"Hacks" (S5): Morgan Smith, Linda Lowy; Associate Casting Director: Lily Trotter

"Nobody Wants This" (S2): Collin Daniel, Brett Greenstein; Associate Casting Director: Alexa Pereira

"Only Murders In The Building" (S5): Tiffany Little Canfield, Destiny Lilly, Bernard Telsey; Associate Casting Director: Danielle King

"Shrinking" (S3): Brett Benner, Debby Romano

"The Four Seasons" (S2): Sherry Thomas, Sharon Bialy; Italy Casting Director: Armando Pizzuti; Associate Casting Director: Katie Rampey

Television Series: Drama

"Paradise" (S2): Tiffany Little Canfield, Josh Einsohn; Associate Casting Director: Brian Sutow

"Slow Horses" (S5): Nina Gold, Melissa Gethin Clarke

"The Diplomat" (S3): Julie Schubert; U.K. Casting Directors: Lucinda Syson, Natasha Vincent

"The Gilded Age" (S3): Bernard Telsey, Adam Caldwell; Associate Casting Director: Amelia McCarthy

"The Pitt" (S2): Cathy Sandrich Gelfond, Erica Berger; Associate Casting Director: Seth Caskey

"Your Friends And Neighbors" (S2): Cindy Tolan, Suzanne Ryan; Associate Casting Director: Nicholas Petrovich

Television Pilot And First Season: Comedy

"Boots": Junie Lowry Johnson, Libby Goldstein; Louisiana Casting Director: Ryan Glorioso; Associate Casting Director: Josh Ropiequet; Louisiana Associate Casting Director: Justin Coulter

"I Love L.A. ": Mary Vernieu, Bret Howe; Associate Casting Director: Benjamin Bermudez

"Margo's Got Money Troubles": David Rubin, Matt Lander; Associate Casting Directors: Jesse Haddock, Djinous Rowling

"Murderbot": Sharon Bialy, Russell Scott, Sherry Thomas; Toronto Casting Directors: Jason Knight, John Buchan; Associate Casting Director: Stacia Kimler

"The Paper": Leslie Woo; Associate Casting Directors: Dayna Katz, Julina Baber

"Young Sherlock": Dan Hubbard, Rory Okey

Television Pilot And First Season: Drama

"A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms": Lucy Bevan, Emily Brockmann; Northern Ireland Casting Director: Carla Stronge; Associate Casting Director: Katie Brydon; Northern Ireland Associate Casting Director: Mike Hooley

"Heated Rivalry": Jenny Lewis, Sara Kay; Associate Casting Director: Kalene Osborne

"Off Campus": Deanna Brigidi, Andrea Bunker; Vancouver Casting Directors: Corinne Clark, Jennifer Page; Vancouver Associate Casting Director: Ciarra Cook

"Pluribus": Sharon Bialy, Sherry Thomas, Russell Scott; New Mexico Casting Director: Marie A.k. McMaster

"Task": Avy Kaufman; Philadelphia Casting Directors: Diane Heery, Jason Loftus

"The Testaments": Sharon Bialy, Sherry Thomas, Russell Scott; Canada Casting Director: Robin D. Cook; Associate Casting Director: Stacia Kimler; Canada Associate Casting Directors: Kelly Boaz, Jonathan Oliveira

Films, First Released For Television Or Streaming

"Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice": Jenny Jue; Vancouver Casting Director: Candice Elzinga

"Oh. What. Fun. ": Bernard Telsey, Tiffany Little Canfield; Atlanta Casting Directors: Tara Feldstein Bennett, Chase Paris; Associate Casting Director: Rose Bochner

"People We Meet On Vacation": Mary Vernieu, Jessica Kelly; New Orleans Casting Director: Meagan Lewis; Associate Casting Director: Benjamin Bermudez

"Remarkably Bright Creatures": Lindsay Ahanonu, Mary Vernieu; Vancouver Casting Directors: Corinne Clark, Jennifer Page; Associate Casting Director: Alexandra Presas; Vancouver Associate Casting Director: Ciarra Cook

"Roommates": Mary Vernieu, Sydney Shircliff; New York Casting Director: Christine Kromer; Associate Casting Director: Alexandra Presas

"The RIP": Sharon Bialy, Sherry Thomas; Associate Casting Director: Alyssa Morris

"Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War": Natasha Vincent, Lucinda Syson

Reality Series: Competition

"Beast Games" (S2): Katy Wallin-Sandalis; Casting Producer: Erin Tomasello

"Love Island USA" (S7): Jodi Thomas, Danielle Gervais, Beyhan Oguz; Casting Producer: Debbie Pierre

"Pop Culture Jeopardy!" (S2): Mindy Zemrak; Casting Producer: Ashley Holt

"RuPaul's Drag Race" (S18): Goloka Bolte, Adam Cook, Michelle Redwine

"The Challenge: Vets & New Threats" (S41): Lisi Alpert

"Top Chef" (S23): Ron Mare; Casting Producers: Heather Allyn, Joy Barrett, Anna Sturgeon

Reality Series: Structured And Unstructured

"Ladies Of London": The New Reign (S4): Erin Tomasello; Casting Producer: Ally Erush

"My Strange Addiction "(S7): Suzie Strosin

"Queer Eye" (S10): Danielle Gervais, Pamela Vallarelli, Natalie Pino; Casting Producer: Jasmin Pettaway

"Shark Tank" (S17): Mindy Zemrak; Casting Producer: Ashley Holt

"Vanderpump Villa" (S3): Suzie Strosin, Kelley Allen, Lindsay Liles

Animated Program For Television

"Bob's Burgers" (S16): Julie Ashton

"Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw": Christian Kaplan; Associate Casting Directors: Beth Day, Steven Tylor O'Connor

"Eb White's Charlotte's Web" (S1): Danielle Aufiero, Amber Horn

"Family Guy" (S24): Christine Terry, Jackie Sollitto

"King Of The Hill" (S14): Leslie Woo, Associate Casting Director: Julina Baber

"Rick And Morty" (S8): Robert McGee

International Television Series

"Acapulco" (S4): Susan Vash, Alexandra Niedt

"Boho" (S1): Sien Josephine Teijssen

"Film Club" (S1): Kelly Valentine Hendry, Jessica Mescall

"Prisoner" (S1): Kelly Valentine Hendry; Associate Casting Director: Lilly Hanbury

"The Big f**k Up" (S1): Sien Josephine Teijssen

"The House Of The Spirits" (S1): Roberto Matus

Limited Series

"All Her Fault": David Rubin, Matt Lander; Australia Casting Director: Jane Norris; Associate Casting Director: Djinous Rowling

"Beef" (S2): Jeanie Bacharach; Associate Casting Director: Maddalena Zuppetta

"DTF St. Louis" (S1): Francine Maisler, Amber Wakefield; Atlanta Casting Directors: Chase Paris, Tara Feldstein Bennett; Associate Casting Director: Molly Rose; Atlanta Associate Casting Director: Tasha Ward

"Love Story" (S1): Nicole Daniels, Courtney Bright; Associate Casting Director: Jennifer Brooks

"Murdaugh: Death In The Family" (S1): John Papsidera; Atlanta Casting Directors: Amanda Lenker Doyle, Erica Bream; Associate Casting Director: Emily Bohbrink

"The Beast In Me" (S1): Julie Tucker

Live Action Children & Family Program For Television

"Electric Bloom" (S1): Collin Daniel, Brett Greenstein; Associate Casting Directors: Alexa Pereira, Danny Dunitz

"One Piece" (S2): Junie Lowry Johnson, Libby Goldstein; Associate Casting Director: Samantha Garrabrant

"Vampirina: Teenage Vampire" (S1): Amber Horn, Danielle Aufiero

"Wizards Beyond Waverly Place" (S2): Alexis Koczara, Christine Shevchenko; Associate Casting Director: Gianna Butler

"XO, Kitty" (S3): David Rapaport, Lyndsey Baldasare; Korea Casting Director: Su Kim; Associate Casting Director: Rosie Lobb, Claire Yenson

"Zombies 4: Dawn Of The Vampires": Danielle Aufiero, Amber Horn, Steven Tylor O'Connor; Australia Casting Director: Kirsty McGregor

Broadway: Comedy Or Drama

"Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman": Taylor Williams

"Becky Shaw": Daniel Swee

"Dog Day Afternoon": Bernard Telsey, Karyn Casl; Associate Casting Director: Charlie Hano

"Giant": Daniel Swee

"Liberation": Jillian Cimini; Associate Casting Director: Neal Buckley

"Proof": Daniel Swee

Broadway: Musical

"Cats: The Jellicle Ball": Victor Vazquez, Sujotta Pace

"Ragtime": Craig Burns

"Schmigadoon!:" Bernard Telsey, Kristian Charbonier

"The Lost Boys": Kristian Charbonier, Craig Burns; Associate Casting Director: Jimmy Larkin

"The Rocky Horror Show": Carrie Gardner, Stephen Kopel; Associate Casting Directors: Neal Buckley, Sujotta Pace

London Theatre

"Avenue Q": Rosie Pearson, James Pearson

"Every Brilliant Thing": Jessica Ronane

"Mary Page Marlowe": Jim Carnahan; Associate Casting Director: Liz Fraser

"Romeo & Juliet": Jim Carnahan; Associate Casting Director: Liz Fraser

"The Lady From The Sea": Jessica Ronane

"War Horse": Jill Green; Associate Casting Director: Olivia Laydon

Los Angeles Theater

"Foursome": Jordan Bass

"Here Lies Love": Richie Ferris, Michael Donovan

"Jesus Christ Superstar": Bernard Telsey, Lindsay Levine

"Primary Trust": Henry Russell Bergstein

The Blank Theatre Company's Young Playwrights Festival: Alexa Pereira

New York Theater: Comedy Or Drama

"Anna Christie": Bernard Telsey, Will Cantler

"Ginger Twinsies": Xavier Rubiano; Associate Casting Director: Louis DiPaolo

"Kyoto": Jim Carnahan, Alexandre Bleau

"Meet The Cartozians": Daniel Swee

"Prince Faggot": Alaine Alldaffer, Taylor Williams

"Trophy Boys": Charlie Hano

"What Happened Was…: "Jim Carnahan, Alexandre Bleau

New York Theater: Musical

"Come From Away": Mark Brandon, Jarrett Reiche

"Heathers: The Musical": Jimmy Larkin, Rachel Hoffman

"Masquerade": Kate Lumpkin; Associate Casting Director: Joseph Cook

"Romy & Michele": Mark Brandon, Patrick Maravilla

"Saturday Church": Erica A. Hart, Nicholas Petrovich; Associate Casting Director: Sujotta Pace

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee": Geoff Josselson, Felicia Rudolph

Regional Theater

"A Raisin In The Sun": Katja Zarolinski

"Amadeus": JC Clementz

"Chez Joey": Tara Rubin, Peter Van Dam, Raiyon Hunter; Associate Casting Director: Olivia Paige West

"Damn Yankees": Tara Rubin, Merri Sugarman; DC Casting Director: Raiyon Hunter; Associate Casting Director: Spencer Gualdoni

"Dear Evan Hansen": Geoff Josselson, Felicia Rudolph

"Fences": David Caparelliotis

"Freak The Mighty": Rachel Hoffman; Associate Casting Directors: Charlie Hano, Jimmy Larkin

"Working Girl": Rachel Hoffman, Rashad Naylor

Special Theatrical Performance

"Bat Boy: The Musical": Patrick Goodwin; Associate Casting Director: Jimmy Larkin

"Bring It On: The Musical": Lindsay Levine

"Come From Away": Rachel Hoffman

"High Spirits": Rachel Hoffman

"La Cage Aux Folles": Rashad Naylor

"The Wild Party": Bethany Knox

"West Side Story": Xavier Rubiano, Merri Sugarman; Associate Casting Director: Olivia Paige West

Theater Tours

"Stereophonic": Alaine Alldaffer

"Suffs": Rachel Hoffman

"The Notebook: The Musical: "Patrick Goodwin

"The Outsiders": Xavier Rubiano; Associate Casting Director: Louis DiPaolo

"The Phantom Of The Opera": Claire Burke, Peter Van Dam; Associate Casting Director: Frankie Ramirez

Commercials

Adidas Backyard Legends | The Greatest Football Story Ever Told: Kharmel Cochrane

Every Human's Dog – The Farmer's Dog: Chelsea Bloch, Marisol Roncali, Jason Crow

Everyone Has Something To Protect: Danya Solomon

Irn Bru – This Is Not A Soft Drink: Sally McCleery

The Marketers: Chrissy Fiorilli-Ellington; Associate Casting Director: Jane Flowers

Uktv ‘u & You': Tree Petts

Short Film

"Hatchlings": Salvatore Schiavone, Gianna Butler

"Marina": Danielle Pretsfelder Demchick

"MR Benjamin's Birthday": Natasha Ward-shaw

"Mushroom Dad": Tanya Giang

"Please Return Your Cart": Ryan Maharaj

"Standby": Stephanie Klapper

"¡que Suene La Banda! ": Jaime Gallagher

Short Form Series

Country Heartthrob (S1): Howard Meltzer, Tim Pratt

Quokka's Wild Life (S1): Kristin Paiva

Strings Attached (S1): Howard Meltzer, Tim Pratt

The Family Car: an American Love Story: Isis Masoud

Very Important People (S3): Jazzy Collins

The Oscar Narrative - Post Venice/Telluride/Toronto Nomination Predictions: Best Supporting Actor

Post Venice/Telluride/Toronto Nomination Predictions

Andrew Garfield "Artificial"

Paul Giamatti "The Debut" 

Guitarricadelafuente "La Bola Negra"

John Leguizamo "The Odyssey"

Sam Rockwell "Wild Horse Nine"

Other Contenders - Robert Pattinson "The Odyssey", Edward Norton "The Invite", Steve Buscemi "Wild Horse Nine", John Goodman "Digger", Jeremy Strong "The Social Reckoning", Colman Domingo "Michael", Guy Pearce "Ink", James Ortiz "Project Hail Mary", Paul Jesson "Tender Loving Care", Sklyer Gisondo "Primetime", Reggie Absolom "Club Kid", Diego Calva "Club Kid", Antonio Banderas "Tony", Ray Nicholson "The Mosquito Bowl", Channing Tatum "Josephine", Tom Holland "The Odyssey", Adam Driver "Paper Tiger", Daniel Kaluuya "Misty Green", Yahya Abdul-Mateen II "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth", Willem Dafoe "Werwulf", Bill Burr "The Social Reckoning", Jeremy Allen White "The Social Reckoning", Peter Mullan "I Swear", Mark Ruffalo "Being Heumann", Riz Ahmed "Digger", Stanley Tucci "The Devil Wears Prada 2", Stephan James "I Play Rocky", Giancarlo Esposito "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York"

Commentary - A weirdly weak race, that is four top heavy, and then a lot of possibilities beyond that lineup. Paul Giamatti is so damn overdue for an Oscar, but I don't want to put too much hope out there that this is his time. That being said, he is in strong position for another nomination for The Debut. The Odyssey has several possibilities, but it looks like John Leguizamo, a popular veteran actor, might finally get his first Oscar nomination. Artificial premiered this week to pretty good reviews, but almost universal praise for Andrew Garfield. I do hope that Guitarricadelafuente gets into some big races, if only to hear people have to pronounce his name. In all seriousness, he is getting a tone of buzz for La Bola Negra, which is set to be huge contender across the board. Finally, Sam Rockwell pairing back up with Martin McDonagh could lead to more Oscar gold. Beyond those five, Edward Norton's early success with The Invite could translate. Robert Pattinson could join Leguizamo, Steve Buscemi could join Sam Rockwell, and despite mixed reviews don't discount previous nominees John Goodman, Jeremy Strong, and Colman Domingo. Breakouts Paul Jesson, James Ortiz, Skyler Gisondo, Reggie Absolomand Ray Nicholson could break through. Previous nominees and winners like Guy Pearce, Antonio Banderas, Adam Driver, Daniel Kaluuya, Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo, Riz Ahmed, and Stanley Tucci could return. Finally, don't discount some overdue veterans like Channing Tatum, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Bill Burr, Jeremy Allen White, Peter Mullan, Stephan James, and Giancarlo Esposito could crash the party. 

2026 MTV VMA Award Winners

Video of the Year

Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” 

Artist of the Year

Madonna 

Song of the Year

BTS – “Swim”

Best New Artist

Sienna Spiro 

Best Collaboration

Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love” 

Best Pop

LISA – “Dream” feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi

Best Hip-Hop

Cardi B feat. Kehlani – “Safe” 

Best R&B

Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”

Best Alternative

Olivia Rodrigo – “the cure”

Best Dance

Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” 

Best Latin

Bad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL” 

Best K-Pop

BTS – “SWIM” 

Best Country

Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas” 

Best Direction

Taylor Swift – “Opalite” 

Best Art Direction

PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson”

Best Cinematography

Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”

Best Editing

Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”

Best Choreography

Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” 

Best Visual Effects

Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me”

Best Group

BTS

Best Long Form Video

Madonna – Confessions II – The Film 

Best Album

Madonna –Confessions II 

Song of Summer

Ariana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me”

The Oscar Narrative - Post Venice/Telluride/Toronto Nomination Predictions: Best Supporting Actress

Post Venice/Telluride/Toronto Nomination Predictions

Olivia Colman "Elsinore"

Penelope Cruz "La Bola Negra"

Mariana Di Girólamo "Wild Horse Nine"

Anne Hathaway "The Odyssey"

Samantha Morton "The Odyssey"

Other Contenders - Penelope Cruz "The Invite", Kate O'Flynn "Tender Loving Care", Olivia Wilde "Behemoth!", Gemma Chan "Josephine", Tao Okamoto "All of the Sudden", Sandra Huller "Digger", Sandra Huller "Project Hail Mary", Eva Victor "Behemoth!", Colleen Camp "Club Kid", Elizabeth Debicki "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth", Rebecca Ferguson "Dune: Part Three", Zendaya "Dune: Part Three", Wunmi Mosaku "The Social Reckoning", Monica Barbaro "Artificial", Scarlett Johansson "Paper Tiger", Parker Posey "Wild Horse Nine", Merritt Wever "Primetime", Glenn Close "La Bola Negra", Claire Foy "Ink", Lily-Rose Depp "Werwulf", Fiona Shaw "Sense and Sensibility"

Commentary - A weirdly weak race, yet a lot of names, this one could be an interesting test of new Oscar rules. Can Penelope Cruz get two nods? I am going to go with no at the moment, but it will be interesting to see if voters do nominated her twice. I am going with La Bola Negra with its heat right now, but The Invite is a great performance. The Odyssey looks strong for both Anne Hathaway and Samantha Morton, and right now Hathaway is probably in the lead. Wild Horse Nine will do well, but neither of its supporting actress contenders had the biggest role. That being said, in this race where I think there are a lot of unknowns, Mariana Di Girolamo still has a good possibility of getting into the race. Finally, Elsinore is rising and Olivia Colman is a favorite with good buzz. Kate O'Flynn could join after her Emmy success, Behemoth could bring Olivia Wilde or Eva Victor, Tao Okamoto is getting a lot of buzz, Sandra Huller has two options, and Gemma Chan is apparently great in Josephine. Big sequels could give Elizabeth Debicki, Wunmi Mosaku, Zendaya, and Rebecca Ferguson some awards love. Previous nominees like Scarlett Johannsson, Glenn Close, and Monica Barbaro could return, and names like Fiona Shaw, Claire Foy, Lily-Rose Depp, Parker Posey, and Colleen Camp are looking for their first nods. 

The Oscar Narrative - Post Venice/Telluride/Toronto Nomination Predictions: Best Adapted and Original Screenplay

Best Adapted Screenplay

Will McCormack and Rashida Jones "The Invite"

Peter Gamble "I Play Rocky"

Javier Ambrossi, Javier Calvo, and Alberto Conejero "La Bola Negra"

Christopher Nolan "The Odyssey"

Drew Goddard "Project Hail Mary"

Other Contenders - Sian Heder and Rebekah Taussig "Being Heumann", Denis Villeneuve and Brian K. Vaughan "Dune Part III", Aaron Sorkin "The Social Reckoning", Quentin Tarantino "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth", Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Léa Le Dimna "All of the Sudden", Chris Butler "Wildwood", James Graham "Ink", Chuko Esiri "Clarissa", Matt Johnson, Matthew Miller, Todd Bartels, and Lou Howe "Tony", Andrew Haigh "The Long Winter", Aleshea Harris "Is God Is", Simon Lyashenko and Andrey Zvyagintsev "Minotaur", Florian Zeller "Bunker", Emerald Fennell "Wuthering Heights", Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris "Toy Story 5"

Commentary - The Odyssey and Project Hail Mary seem to be holding on, but the onslaught has begun with the Fall Festivals. I Play Rocky is going to be a feel-good favorite, but it doesn't look likes its officially adapted from anything, but isn't it adapted? It may go Original. La Bola Negra is on a high after doing well at TIFF. The Invite is also holding on strong from the first half of the year, and seems to be high on a lot of folks' lists. Beyond those five, there are a lot of contenders that keep this race in flux. Without knowledge, and with hesitance, no one is really going hard in for The Social Reckoning or Cliff Booth. But if they end up as good as their predecessors, watch out. Sian Heder returns with Being Heumann. It will be interesting to see if it catches fire like CODA. Dune Part II missed out, but maybe Part III returns to the race. Ryusuke Hamaguchi has a big contender, Andrew Haigh is always close, and previous nominees like Florian Zeller, Emerald Fennell, and Toy Story could inspire voters. Ink, Clarissa, Tony, Is God Is, and Minotaur are also possibilities. 

Best Original Screenplay

Jesse Eisenberg "The Debut"

Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone, and Sabina Berman "Digger"

Cristian Mungiu "Fjord"

Mike Leigh "Tender Loving Care"

Martin McDonagh "Wild Horse Nine"

Other Contenders - Jordan Firstman "Club Kid", Tony Gilroy "Behemeth!", Beth de Araújo "Josephine", Stephen Beresford "Elsinore", Curry Barker "Obsession", Chris Rock "Misty Green", Jane Schoenbrun "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma", John Logan "Michael", Robert Eggers and Sjón "Werwulf", James Gray "Paper Tiger", Simon Rich "Artificial"

Commentary - A shorter list, but a tough race. Jesse Eisenberg returns with The Debut, which could win a ton of Oscars if it plays its cards right. Martin McDonagh is about to go 3 for 3 with Wild Horse Nine, and Mike Leigh the legend could return one more time to the screenplay race with Tender Loving Care. Alejandro Inarritu returns with Digger, and Fjord is a hoping to ride its early success to Oscar victory. Beyond those five, Club Kid is on the rise, Josephine hopes to continue to be a player, and Elsinore is one to watch. Obsession is a possibility, as is Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma if horror continues to do well. Michael (ugh why?), Artificial, Werwulf, Misty Greene, and Paper Tiger are also possibilities. 

2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Awards

2026 People's Choice Award

La Bola Negra

dirs. Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi

First runner-up

I Play Rocky

dir. Peter Farrelly

Second runner-up

Being Heumann

dir. Siân Heder

2026 International People's Choice Award

Elsinore

dir. Simon Stone

First runner-up

Possible Love

dir. Lee Chang-dong

Second runner-up

The Assassin(s)

dir. Hur Jin-ho

2026 People's Choice Documentary Award

Darlene Love: I Know Where I’ve Been

dir. Barry Avrich

First runner-up

Black Sunflowers

dir. James Marcus Haney

Second runner-up

The Ultra Runner

dir. Mila Aung-Thwin

2026 People's Choice Midnight Madness Award

Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney

dir. Matthew Rankin

First runner-up

The Spiral

dir. Paolo Strippoli

Second runner-up

Arrested Memory

dir. SABU

2026 Platform Prize

Angh

dir. Theja Rio | India

Special Jury Award

Brace Your Heart

dir. Garrat Du Váimmu | Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Bulgaria

2026 Best Canadian Feature Film Award

Sunburn

dir. Serville Poblete | Canada

Best Canadian Feature Film Award Honourable Mention

Man in Motion: The Rick Hansen Story

dir. Adrian Buitenhuis | Canada

2026 Best Canadian Discovery Award

Smudge the Blades

dir. Cody Lightning | Canada

Best Canadian Discovery Award Honourable Mention

The Black Box is Orange

dir. Yuula Benivolski | Canada

2026 Short Cuts Award: Best International Short Film

MAMMALIA

dir. Elia Kalogianni | Greece, Netherlands

Best International Short Film Honourable Mention

The Spectacular Death of Prisca

dirs. Kaelo Iyizoba | Nigeria

Best Canadian Short Film

Fight Kid

dirs. Michael Del Monte | Canada

Best Canadian Short Film Honourable Mention

Almost Pink

dir. Justine Prince | Canada

2026 Short Cuts Award: Best Animated Short Film

Into The Betaverse

dirs. Varun Raman, Tom Hancock | United Kingdomn

Best Animated Short Film Honourable Mention

Terminal

dir. Justine Prince | Canada

2026 NETPAC Award

Thirteen in Gaza

dir. Hosam Abu Dan | Palestine

2026 FIPRESCI Prize

Ancestors

dir. David Turpin | Ireland, United Kingdom