Beverly Hills, CA – The Beverly Hilton Hotel sparkled on February 10, 2026, as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hosted its annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon, uniting a constellation of talent ahead of the 98th Academy Awards ceremony on March 15. The exclusive, invitation-only event, a tradition dating back to 1982, offered a respite from the intense competition of awards season, allowing nominees across all categories to mingle and celebrate their achievements. The luncheon was cancelled in 2025 due to the Los Angeles County wildfires.
The atmosphere was described as bright and optimistic, a chance for award hopefuls to connect before the final voting commences. Approximately 203 of the 230 nominees attended the celebratory event. Attendees included acting nominees such as Emma Stone ("Bugonia"), Timothée Chalamet, Rose Byrne ("If I Had Legs I'd Kick You"), Elle Fanning ("Sentimental Value"), Kate Hudson ("Song Sung Blue"), Wagner Moura ("The Secret Agent"), Michael B. Jordan ("Sinners"), and Wunmi Mosaku ("Sinners"). Many first-time nominees and veteran contenders from behind the camera, including producers, writers, editors, and composers, were also present.
The luncheon provided numerous opportunities for interaction and camaraderie. Jacob Elordi, the towering star of "Frankenstein," was seen sharing a hug with Teyana Taylor, a supporting actress nominee for "One Battle After Another". Taylor wore Cong Tri. Leonardo DiCaprio, also a co-star in "One Battle After Another," was spotted catching up with Steven Spielberg, who directed him in "Catch Me If You Can" 24 years ago. Filmmakers Joachim Trier ("Sentimental Value") and Paul Thomas Anderson ("One Battle After Another") were seen in deep conversation. Songwriter Diane Warren, a nominee for the 17th time, paused to capture a selfie, clearly still enjoying the excitement of being surrounded by fellow nominees.
The nominees were called to a platform to pose for an annual "class photo," a tradition where each nominee is recognized.
Not all nominees were present. Mehdi Mahmoudian, co-writer of Jafar Panahi's "It Was Just an Accident," was absent due to his arrest in Iran after condemning the government's crackdown on protesters.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the looming weight of the upcoming awards and the intense competition was not entirely absent. Voting begins on February 26th, after which around 80% of the nominees will face disappointment on Oscar night. Yet, for a few hours, the nominees set aside their competitive spirits to enjoy a moment of conviviality and mutual recognition.