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

78th Primetime Emmy Awards

Best Drama Series - The Pitt

Best Comedy Series - Widow's Bay

Best Actor in a Drama Series - Noah Wyle "The Pitt"

Best Actress in a Drama Series - Rhea Seehorn "Pluribus"

Best Actor in a Comedy Series - Matthew Rhys "Widow's Bay"

Best Actress in a Comedy Series - Jean Smart "Hacks"

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Allison Janney "The Diplomat" 

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Tom Pelphrey "Task"

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Stephen Root "Widow's Bay"

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Kate O'Flynn "Widow's Bay"

Best Directing in a Drama Series - Saul Metzstein "Slow Horses - Scars"

Best Writing in a Drama Series - Vince Gilligan "Pluribus - We is Us"

Best Directing in a Comedy Series - Hiro Murai "Widow's Bay - Welcome to Widow's Bay"

Best Writing in a Comedy Series - Katie Dippold "Widow's Bay - Welcome to Widow's Bay"

Best Limited Series - DTF St. Louis

Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie - Matthew Rhys "The Beast in Me"

Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie - Sally Field "Remarkably Bright Creatures"

Best Variety Series - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Best Reality Competition Program - The Traitors

16th Awards Psychic Television Award Winners

Best Drama Series

Winner - Heated Rivalry

Runners Up - Alien: Earth, The Diplomat, The Pitt, Pluribus

Commentary - Maybe I really do just love Heated Rivalry because its so damn hot? I think that is why it gained so much notoriety. Or maybe I like it because it is so nice to see this level of gay romance to get such traction?  Or maybe, once you get past all of the sex, you recognize a surprisingly deep show about the fear of coming out, the romance that can come from the most surprising of places, the impact of family, and fact that true love can exist no matter what. Heated Rivalry is a phenomenon, but more importantly, it was actually a really great show, with great performances, and it deserves the praise, accolades, and buzz it has received. 

Best Comedy Series

Winner - Widow's Bay

Runner Up - The Comeback, Hacks, Shrinking

Commentary - I loved the final season of Hacks, but I have been there done that in this category a few times. The Comeback was just as good as ever. But dare I say, I am hopping on the Widow's Bay bandwagon. I don't love horror, but this spooky mix of mystery and laugh-out-loud humor, combined with an incredible cast, make it an irresistible new comedy, that is so worth watching. 

Best Actor in a Drama Series

Winners - (TIE) Connor Storrie "Heated Rivalry" and Hudson Williams "Heated Rivalry"

Runners Up - Sterling K. Brown "Paradise", Gary Oldman "Slow Horses", Noah Wyle "The Pitt"

Commentary - At the heart of Heated Rivalry, is the kinetic, hot, awkward, and eventually swooning chemistry between Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. Their magnetism, surprising depth, and often witty banter, make Heated Rivarly the success that it has become. 

Best Actress in a Drama Series

Winner - Rhea Seehorn "Pluribus"

Runners Up - Keri Russell "The Diplomat", Marisa Abela "Industry", Myha'la Herrold "Industry"

Commentary - Rhea Seehorn is so good in Pluribus, a fantastic reunion with Vince Gill. It is so nice to see her get this big leading role, and get the chance to truly show her leading star quality. I hope Emmy voters finally recognize this fantastic and under-rewarded talent. 

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Winner - Matthew Rhys "Widow's Bay"

Runners Up - Tim Robinson "The Chair Company", Jason Segal "Shrinking"

Commentary - Matthew Rhys showcases his comedic chops in Widow's Bay, perfectly blending the weird, the humorous, and the horrific. 

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

Winners - Jean Smart "Hacks"

Runners Up - Lisa Kudrow "The Comeback", Quinta Brunson "Abbott Elementary", Elle Fanning "Margo's Got Money Troubles"

Commentary - One last time for the queen. 

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Winner - Patrick Ball "The Pitt"

Runners Up - Gerran Howell "The Pitt", Tom Pelphrey "Task", Carlos-Manuel Vesga "Pluribus"

Commentary - Patrick Ball's turn on The Pitt was so good in Season 1, but he continued to build on the trauma, the arrogance, and the surprise vulnerability in Season 2, making him a standout in a standout cast. 

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Winner - Katherine LaNasa "The Pitt"

Runners Up - Isa Briones "The Pitt", Taylor Deardren "The Pitt", Supriya Ganesh "The Pitt", Karolina Wydra "Pluribus"

Commentary - One of my favorite Emmy wins last year was Katherine LaNasa, a hardworking actor who finally got their due on one of the biggest stages. Her character Dana is not often given the biggest moments, or the flashiest cases. She is instead, the often quiet, always caring heartbeat of The Pitt, whose presence is always felt. That is the mark of an incredible actor and incredible performance, and what a worthy career recognition. 

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Winner - Harrison Ford "Shrinking"

Runners Up - Paul W. Downs "Hacks", Nick Offerman "Margo's Got Money Troubles", Michael Urie "Shrinking"

Commentary - Harrison Ford is a living legend. And yet, despite that status, he is not actually a frequent winner of awards. He is so good in Shrinking, droll, funny, and a commanding movie-star presence that is hard to forget. 

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Winner - (TIE) Kate O'Flynn "Widow's Bay" AND Megan Stalter "Hacks"

Runners Up - Dale Dickey "Widow's Bay", Hannah Einbinder "Hacks", Michelle Pfeiffer "Margot's Got Money Troubles"

Commentary - Okay, so obviously Kate O'Flynn's star turn in Widow's Bay is getting a lot of deserving headlines. She is so good, and so funny, and commands the screen against bigger stars. But Meg Stalter has been doing that on Hacks for years. I hate that when she finally gets her well-deserved Emmy nod, that she is up against another jaw-dropping breakthrough performance. Both are worthy, incredible performers, who I can't wait to see what they do next. 

Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Winner - Ernest Harden Jr. "The Pitt"

Runners Up - Jeff Hiller "Pluribus", Jeff Kober "The Pitt", Eric Dane "Euphoria"

Commentary - One of the best Emmy wins at the Creative Arts Emmys was the legendary Ernest Harden Jr. finally getting recognition after decades in the business. Not only did he give a warm and memorable performance, but we got to celebrate one of the best at last. 

Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Winner - Shailene Woodley "Paradise"

Runners Up - Brittany Allen "The Pitt", Tal Anderson "The Pitt", Mirian Shor "Pluribus"

Commentary - An incredible turn that in the old tape system would have easily won an Emmy. Luckily it is clear that voters watched the show, and agreed even in a more populist voting with bigger shows. 

Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Winner - Rob Reiner "The Bear"

Runners Up - Michael J. Fox "Shrinking", Hamlish Linklater "Widow's Bay", Connor Storie "Saturday Night Live"

Commentary - We lost a legend. The Bear was a great turn for him, but most importantly, a final reminder of one of the best. 

Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Winner - Kaitlin Olson "Hacks"

Runners Up - Betty Gilpin "Widow's Bay", Cherry Jones "Hacks", Leslie Bibb "Hacks"

Commentary - Kaitlin Olson's Hacks character is such a pivotal part of Deborah's story. She is always the wrench, the thing that can throw off even the diva of divas. That is a testament to Olson's ability to command the screen, and build a flawed, yet funny and emotionally connected character that has been a a key to the success of this legendary series. 

Best Directing in a Drama Series

Winner - Andy Muschietti "It: Welcome to Derry - The Black Spot"

Runners Up - Noah Hawley "Alien: Earth - In Space, No One...", Noah Wyle "The Pitt - 12:00 P.M.", Vince Gilligan "Pluribus - We is Us", The Duffer Brothers "Stranger Things - Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up"

Commentary - Okay, so I struggled it It: Welcome to Derry, cause I don't do horror. This episode left me with nightmares, but it was also so brilliantly constructed, that it was jaw-dropping. When you can't stop thinking about it (and not just cause it haunts your dreams), that is the sign of something special. 

Best Writing in a Drama Series

Winner - Jacob Tierney "Heated Rivalry - The Cottage"

Runners Up - Jason Fuchs and Brad Kane "It: Welcome to Derry - The Black Spot", Valerie Chu and Mel Herbert "The Pitt - 12:00 P.M."

Commentary - The episode that made me cry. It was so beautiful, and so magical, and a fitting end to a series whose depth surpassed expectations. 

Best Directing in a Comedy Series

Winner - Hiro Murai "Widow's Bay - Welcome To Widow's Bay!"

Runners Up - Christopher Storer "The Bear - Bears", Michael Patrick King "The Comeback - Valerie Faces Reality", Lucia Aniello "Hacks - Hacks (Finale)"

Commentary - Hiro is a master of his craft, and his work in the Pilot of Widow's Bay is yet another extraordinary showcase of his talent. 

Best Writing in a Comedy Series

Winner - Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow "The Comeback - Valerie Does It All"

Runners Up - Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky "Hacks - Hacks (Finale)", Katie Dippold, Alberto Roldán, and David B. Harris "Widow's Bay - Welcome To Widow's Bay!"

Commentary - The Comeback is hard to watch sometimes, but that is because King and Kudrow have needled their audiences, hit their vulnerable points, and pushed the cringe to a new level of dark comedy that is brilliant. 

Best Limited Series

Winner - DTF St. Louis

Runner Up - Beast, The Beast in Me

Commentary - DTF St Louis is an unhinged, darkly comedic exploration of relationships, that also has an incredible dose of poignance. The writing is so sharp and on point, the directing illuminates, and its cast is jaw-dropping. In particular, the incredible turns from now-Emmy winners David Harbor and Linda Cardellini, anchor, center, and explode on the screen in a way that makes you not want to stop watching. 

Best Television Movie

Winner - Remarkably Bright Creatures

Runners Up - People We Meet on Vacation

Commentary - Remarkably Bright Creatures didn't quite hit the emotional pull of its source material, but led by the legendary Sally Field, it was still am emotionally deep look at love, family, and loss. 

Best Actor in a Limited Series or Television Movie

Winner - Oscar Isaac "Beef"

Runners Up - Riz Ahmed "Bait", Lewis Pullman "Remarkably Bright Creatures", Matthew Rhys "The Beast in Me"

Commentary - For all of the love I have for DTF St. Louis, I want to note that Beef's second anthology was also quite a fantastic series. Led by two magnetic performances from veterans Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan whose chemistry and embrace of the material continues to expand their repertoire range of talent. 

Best Actress in a Limited Series or Television Movie

Winner - Carey Mulligan "Beef"

Runners Up - Sally Field "Remarkably Bright Creatures", Sarah Pigeon "Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette", Sarah Snook "All Her Fault"

Commentary - See Best Actor above. 

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Television Movie

Winner - David Harbour "DTF St. Louis"

Runners Up - Richard Gadd "Half Man", Charles Melton "Beef"

Commentary - See Best Limited Series

Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Television Movie

Winner - Linda Cardellini "DTF St. Louis"

Runners Up - Laurie Metcalf "Monster: The Ed Gein Story", Cailee Spaeny "Beef", Yuh-Jung Youn "Beef"

Commentary - See Best Limited Series

Best Directing in a Limited Series or Television Movie

Winner - Steven Conrad "DTF St. Louis"

Runners Up - Lee Sung Jin "Beef - Oh, The Comfort, The Inexpressible Comfort"

Commentary - See Best Limited Series

Best Writing in a Limited Series or Television Movie

Winner - Steve Conrad "DTF St. Louis"

Runners Up - Lee Sung Jin, Niko Gutierrez-Kovner, and Jonnie Park "Beef - All The Things We're Never Going To Have", Richard Gadd "Half Man"

Commentary - See Best Limited Series

Best Variety Series

Winner - The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

Runners Up - The Daily Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Commentary - The legend ends up on top. We will miss his voice in late night. But my guess is that he is not giving up, and neither should you. 

Best Variety Special

Winner - (TIE) The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny AND The Muppet Show

Runners Up - 83rd Annual Golden Globes, Wanda Sykes: Legacy

Commentary - The Halftime Show is for the haters. It was so much fun. So was The Muppet Show, a great return to a well-used property, that was bright, fun, and worthy a watch. 

Best Directing in a Variety Series or Special

Winner - Hamish Hamilton "The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny"

Runners Up - Micah Bickman "Good Night, And Good Luck On Broadway", Yvonne De Mare "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Series Finale", Alex Timbers "The Muppet Show"

Commentary - See Best Variety Special

Best Writing in a Variety Series or Special

Winner - Albertina Rizzo, Gabe Liedman, Nedaa Sweiss, Kelly Younger, Andrew Williams "The Muppet Show"

Runners Up - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show, Nikki Glaser "Nikki Glaser: Good Girl"

Commentary - See Best Variety Special

Best Animated Series

Winner - King of the Hill

Runners Up - Rick & Morty, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord

Commentary - I loved the return of a childhood favorite, Kind of the Hill. It still had that same rhythm, humor, and the characters, who might have aged, have never actually gotten old. 

2026 Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Drama and Comedy Series

Best Drama Series

Will Win - The Pitt    

Could Win - Pluribus

Should Win - The Pitt

Commentary - The Pitt should once again win here, but Pluribus could surprise. 

Best Comedy Series

Will Win - Widow's Bay

Could Win - Hacks

Should Win - Hacks or Widow's Bay

Commentary - Widow's Bay looks like it is sweeping to Emmy victory in it's first season. It definitely has the momentum, and it looks like it is going to win a bunch of Emmys (after already winning a bunch before). But Hacks as been in this position before, and has surprised with just a writing win and Jean Smart. Plus it is the final season of a beloved Emmy favorite. Don't be surprised if it wins one last time. 

2026 Venice Film Festival Awards

GOLDEN LION for Best Film to:

KVINDE UKENDT (WOMAN UNKNOWN) by May el-Toukhy (Denmark, Sweden, Latvia)

SILVER LION – GRAND JURY PRIZE to:

GA-NEUNG-HAN SA-RANG (POSSIBLE LOVE) by Lee Chang-dong (South Korea)

SILVER LION – AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR to:

Ilya Khrzhanovsky for the film DAU (Germany, France, Sweden)

COPPA VOLPI for Best Actress:

Mathilde Arcel in the film KVINDE UKENDT (WOMAN UNKNOWN) by May el-Toukhy (Denmark, Sweden, Latvia)

COPPA VOLPI for Best Actor:

John Malkovich in the film WILD HORSE NINE by Martin McDonagh (UK, USA, Chile)

AWARD FOR BEST SCREENPLAY to:

Stéphane Brizé, Coralie Amédéo, Olivier Gorce for the film UN BON PETIT SOLDAT (A GOOD LITTLE SOLDIER) by Stéphane Brizé (France)

SPECIAL JURY PRIZE to:

NAZA by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (UK)

MARCELLO MASTROIANNI AWARD for Best Young Actor or Actress to:

Malou Khebizi in the film 15/18 (A PLACE TO HEAL) by Cédric Kahn (France)

Orizzonti

ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST FILM to:

UN DÉTOUR PAR DIANE (DIANE IN THE LOOP) by Ann Sirot and Raphaël Balboni (Belgium, France)

ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR to:

Jacqueline Lentzou for the film MIA MERA STI ZOI TIS TZO: KEFALAIO FAIDRA (A DAY IN THE LIFE OF JO: CHAPTER PHAEDRA) (Greece, Germany, France)

SPECIAL ORIZZONTI JURY PRIZE to:

LA MAISON DU VENT (HOUSE OF THE WIND) by Auguste Bernard Kouemo Yanghu (Cameroon, France, Belgium, Benin, Saudi Arabia, Qatar)

ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS to:

Laleh Marzban in the film MORAGHEB (FALLING HOUSE) by Mohsen Gharaei (Iran, United States, Germany)

ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR to:

Riccardo Scamarcio in the film I FIGLI DELLA SCIMMIA (THE CHILDREN OF THE MONKEY) by Tommaso Landucci (Italy)

ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST SCREENPLAY to:

Tommaso Landucci, Damiano Femfert for the film I FIGLI DELLA SCIMMIA (THE CHILDREN OF THE MONKEY) by Tommaso Landucci (Italy)

ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM to:

QUELQUES INSTANTS DE BONHEUR (A FEW MOMENTS OF HAPPINESS) by Shaden Safieddine Tazi (France, United Kingdom, Lebanon)

Venice Award for a Debut Film

VENICE AWARD FOR A DEBUT FILM

LION OF THE FUTURE

“LUIGI DE LAURENTIIS” VENICE AWARD FOR A DEBUT FILM to:

LA MAISON DU VENT (HOUSE OF THE WIND) by Auguste Bernard Kouemo Yanghu

(Cameroon, France, Belgium, Benin, Saudi Arabia, Qatar)

Venice Spotlight

ARMANI BEAUTY AUDIENCE AWARD to:

EU CONTEZ (I MATTER)

by Alina Șerban (Romania, Germany, Belgium)

Venice Classics

VENICE CLASSICS AWARD FOR BEST RESTORED FILM to:

LA LUNGA NOTTE DEL ’43 (LONG NIGHT OF 1943) by Florestano Vancini (Italy)

Venice Immersive

VENICE IMMERSIVE GRAND PRIZE to:

THE PIGEON RING by Shixin Tao and Yuqi Zhang (China)

 

VENICE IMMERSIVE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE to:

OUT OF THE ASHES by Rory Mitchell and Nonny De La Peña (USA)

 

VENICE IMMERSIVE ACHIEVEMENT PRIZE to:

EMPIRE AT SEA by Peter Flaherty (USA)