Ottawa film lovers had plenty to cheer about at the 98th Academy Awards, a ceremony that finally felt like what the Oscars are supposed to be: a joyful, sometimes emotional celebration of movies and the people who make them.
Hosted by the always-sharp Conan O'Brien, Sunday night's broadcast struck a tone that's been missing from the ceremony for years. O'Brien's humour was playful without being mean, self-aware without disappearing into the crowd, and genuinely funny. If you've been tuning out the Oscars for the past half-decade, this was the year to come back.
The Big Winners
One Battle After Another dominated the night, taking home six Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson. It was a sweeping win for a film that clearly resonated with both voters and audiences alike.
Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for Sinners, becoming just the sixth Black actor to take home the award in the ceremony's history. His performance in the film had been a talking point all awards season, and the win felt both earned and long overdue.
Jesse Buckley took Best Actress for Hamnet, and Amy Madigan won Best Supporting Actress. Sean Penn claimed Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another, though he notably did not attend the ceremony.
A Historic Cinematography Win
One of the night's most powerful moments came when Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for Sinners, making her the first woman ever to win in the category's history. The award drew one of the evening's biggest standing ovations, a recognition that felt well past due for a department that has long been dominated by men.
Canada's Night to Shine
For Canadians watching at home, there was a lot to celebrate. Projects including The Girl Who Cried Pearls, KPop Demon Hunters, and Frankenstein, the latter filmed in Toronto, highlighted Canada's increasingly vital role in international filmmaking. The industry continues to grow in scale and prestige, and Ottawa's own creative community is part of that broader story.
Sentimental Value took home Best International Feature Film, described by critics as a beautiful and emotionally resonant work.
Why Ottawa Should Care
Ottawa has a quietly passionate film culture, from the Ottawa International Animation Festival to packed screenings at the ByTowne Cinema and Mayfair Theatre. Nights like the Oscars serve as a reminder of what cinema can be when it's firing on all cylinders: diverse, ambitious, technically brilliant, and deeply human.
Whether you watched live or are catching the highlights now, the 98th Academy Awards delivered a show worth talking about, and a slate of winners worth tracking down at your local video store or streaming service of choice.
Source: Ottawa Life Magazine
