Oscar Nominees Gather for Networking and Celebration at Annual Luncheon Event

BEVERLY HILLS — The anticipation is palpable as the 98th Oscars Nominees Luncheon sets the stage for Hollywood’s most esteemed awards night. This prelude to the Oscars is a gathering of cinema’s brightest stars and most talented creators, all coming together to celebrate the year’s achievements in film.

Among the illustrious attendees were celebrated figures like Kate Hudson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Timothée Chalamet. They were joined by other notable names such as Michael B. Jordan, Rose Byrne, and Jacob Elordi, alongside talented directors and artists like Wagner Moura, Jessie Buckley, and Emma Stone. The presence of visionary filmmakers and composers like Chloé Zhao, Ryan Coogler, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Diane Warren added to the event’s prestige, while icons like Steven Spielberg further underscored the luncheon’s significance.

This year’s Oscars reflect the global nature of cinema, with 230 nominees hailing from 29 different countries and regions. International talent is recognized across all 24 categories, highlighting the universal appeal and reach of the film industry.

In a historic milestone for the Oscars, 76 women have been nominated, marking the highest number of female nominees in the awards’ history. This achievement underscores the evolving landscape of the film industry, where diverse voices are increasingly being heard and celebrated.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with its 11,000 members, plays a crucial role in this celebration of film. Members from 88 regions across the globe participate in the voting process, ensuring a wide array of perspectives and preferences are reflected in the final selections.

Lou Diamond Phillips, who announced the nominees as they took the stage for the annual “class photo,” acknowledged that while the event is called the Nominees Luncheon, it’s really the “Winners Luncheon.”

Academy CEO Bill Kramer echoed that sentiment saying, “All of our nominees are here to celebrate each other to take their class photo. Everyone gets up on this beautifully designed riser and it’s a moment to celebrate our community. Everyone’s a winner today.”

Don’t miss Hollywood’s biggest night: The Oscars on ABC!

Our live Oscar preshow, “On The Red Carpet at the Oscars,” begins at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT and will feature live interviews with the nominees, red carpet fashion analysis and more!

Watch the 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, on March 15 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC and Hulu, followed by “The Bachelorette: Before the First Rose.”

Check your local listings or stream on Hulu and OnTheRedCarpet.com.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of this ABC station.