The 97th Academy Awards are set to take place on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre, celebrating the past year’s most acclaimed films and performances.
Among the strongest contenders for Best Picture is Anora, a drama about a Brooklyn stripper who marries the son of a Russian oligarch. The film has gained significant momentum after securing wins at the Directors Guild and Producers Guild awards. Director Sean Baker is also a frontrunner for Best Director.
Another major contender is Conclave, a gripping thriller about power struggles in a Vatican papal election. The film recently won at the BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Its storyline has taken on added significance as Pope Francis remains in critical condition in hospital.
Brody, Chalamet Lead Best Actor Race
In the Best Actor category, Adrien Brody has emerged as a strong candidate for his portrayal of Hungarian-Jewish architect Laszlo Toth in The Brutalist. However, he faces tough competition from Timothée Chalamet, who recently won a SAG Award for his performance as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
Moore, Madison, Torres in Contention for Best Actress
Demi Moore is a leading contender for Best Actress for her role in The Substance, where she plays an ageing actress and television fitness instructor struggling with career decline. She is up against Mikey Madison (Anora) and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here), both of whom have gained traction in the awards circuit.
