FILM REVIEWS AND NEWS

The 2026 jury winners represent a formidable cross-section of global talent, proving that independent cinema remains the lifeblood of the industry. From high-concept narratives to intimate documentaries, the awards this year highlight a yearning for connection in an increasingly fragmented digital age.

The curtains have fallen on the 98th Academy Awards, and while the Dolby Theatre has seen its fair share of predictable sweeps in the past, the 2026 ceremony felt like a genuine clash of titans. As we look over the wreckage of the awards season, it is clear that the night belonged to a gritty, sprawling American epic and a supernatural genre-bender that redefined the blockbuster.

A nice mix of variety in this year’s live-action nominees. You’ll find social commentary, cheeky parody, surprising comedy, warm humanity and a bitter cold look at the near future. As is the case every Oscar season, don’t miss the chance to catch the live action program on the big screen while you can.

The 2026 program of Oscar-nominated animated shorts is characteristically brilliant. Artistic styles range from brushstrokes to stop motion to simple, hand-drawn animation and the tales told run an even wider gamut. Gorgeous, heartwarming, clever and endlessly watchable, the shorts celebrate the boundless talent and creativity in human artistry.

The Academy clearly agrees, as Sinners has just made history by racking up a staggering 16 nominations. Here is a breakdown of the nods for the film that has me feeling like the only person left in the dark.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival has always occupied a singular space in the awards season calendar. It serves as a sophisticated precursor to the Academy Awards, often highlighting the intersection of global stardom and genuine cinematic craft. This year, the festival has announced that Miley Cyrus will be the recipient of the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award at the 2026 ceremony.