Oscars 2026: 'One Battle After Another' Wins Best Picture at 98th Academy Awards The 98th Academy Awards, hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien in Los Angeles, concluded with "One Battle After Another" claiming the best picture award. The film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, also secured the best director honor for Anderson and best actress for Jessie Buckley in her role as the protagonist of "Hamnet." Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history as the first woman to win the best cinematography award, while Michael B. Jordan took home best actor for his performance in "Sinners." The ceremony saw a historic tie for best live action short film, with "The Singers" and "Two People Exchanging Saliva" sharing the accolade—a rare occurrence in the event's nearly century-long history. Cassandra Kulukundis became the first recipient of the best casting award, recognizing her work on "One Battle After Another," while "Avatar: Fire and Ash" earned the best visual effects prize. On the red carpet, best actress nominee Rose Byrne opted for a custom Chanel ensemble, while KPop group Demon Hunters made a fashion statement with their appearance. The ceremony also highlighted the global impact of documentary filmmaking, as Pavel Talankin’s "Mr Nobody Against Putin" won the documentary feature award. Talankin, a Russian teacher who fled his homeland in 2024 after resisting President Vladimir Putin’s war machine, documented his experiences under the regime’s propaganda pressures. His film reveals how he became a whistleblower, risking his life to expose the system. The Academy’s voting process, which determines Oscar winners, is governed by its 19 branches representing film crafts. Membership is typically sponsored, though winning an Oscar automatically qualifies candidates for membership.#conan_o_brien #jessie_buckley #oscars_2026 #paul_thomas_anderson #autumn_durald_arkapaw
