The Powers That Be: Daily Hollywood’s Early Oscars Forecast
Nov 20, 2025
Matt Belloni, a veteran Hollywood reporter and host of The Town, shares insider knowledge on the early Oscars campaign season. He discusses how key film festivals and the Governor's Awards set the stage for nominations. Matt analyzes potential frontrunners in categories like Best Director and Best Picture, mentioning impressive contenders from both blockbusters and indie films. He also dives into leading actor and actress favorites, highlighting the strategic importance of screenings in this competitive landscape.
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Campaigns Focus On Getting Voters To See Films
- Oscar campaigns aim primarily to get voters to see the movie, not to impress them with ads.
- Campaigns focus on theatrical screenings, events, Q&As, and in-person courting of roughly 10,000 Academy-related voters.
Academy Structure Drives Targeted Courting
- The Academy has 17 branches that nominate within their crafts, shaping targeted campaigning strategies.
- That structure makes awards season resemble a political campaign courting different constituencies.
Governor's Awards Double As Campaign Networking
- The Governor's Awards officially honor lifetime achievement but function as a campaigning networking event.
- Matt describes it as the Hollywood equivalent of kissing babies at local events to win votes.
