The Tamesis
While awards season hype is steadily building in the lead-up to March 15, it’s the annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon that whets the appetite. The star-studded gathering at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday afternoon offered something rare: A few hours for this year’s contenders to break out of press junket mode, congratulate each other and take stock of their achievements before the final countdown to the ceremony begins.
Emma Stone was one of the first to arrive, chatting with guests over welcome drinks before the ballroom filled up. Rose Byrne and Kate Hudson were not far behind, chatting easily like old friends. The atmosphere was relaxed, festive, and even a little surreal, as often happens when the hottest bold names of the moment suddenly find themselves sharing a table. Before the luncheon officially began, Stone and Hudson laughed together away from the camera in what can only be described as a quintessential girl’s bathroom moment — proving that even Oscar nominees sometimes need a quick chat in the bathroom.
When Jacob Elordi woke up from the whirlwind Wuthering Heights World Tour, Teyana Taylor walks in and cameras instantly swarm, turning the duo’s entrance into a real moment. Taylor received an especially warm welcome from her fellow nominees, including sinner Hannah Beachler, who was nominated for production design, told her: “Thank you for everything. Thank you for everything.”
The afternoon event was addressed by Lynette Howell Taylor, Dean of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Her talk reflected on the emotional weight of the past year and the role storytelling continues to play. “2025 is such a great year,” she said. “The world breaks our hearts, but filmmakers continue to find ways to inspire us, bring us together, and remind us why stories matter. Some films inspire us, some challenge us, some make us laugh, and some make us face our history. All reflect who we are.” Howell Taylor also highlighted the increasingly global nature of the award, noting that nominees come from 29 countries and the Academy has 11,000 Voting participation from members reached a record high, with a historic 76 women nominated this year.
The tone remained supportive yet entertaining as she turned to practical advice for the evening: Keep your speech to 45 seconds or less. Avoid thanking everyone individually. Jump over the phone on stage. Yes, the winner does have a chance. The people in the room smiled knowingly.
Howell Taylor also gave special thanks to the journalists who sat among the nominees, acknowledging the role of media coverage in amplifying the arts. A special feature of the luncheon is the specially arranged seating. Nominees are grouped with people outside of their own films to encourage new connections. It works. Throughout the meal, guests were chatting, taking selfies, and socializing in a way that felt less like an obligation and more like a serendipitous situation. (Otherwise how could it be Fashion Meet Pamela Dias, whose daughter Ajike “AJ” Owens is the subject of this Oscar-nominated documentary The perfect neighbor? Díaz said she plans to attend next month’s ceremony and expressed her gratitude to the filmmakers for their close involvement throughout the process. )
Actor, director and Academy President Lou Diamond Phillips then took to the stage to guide the nominees through one of the luncheon’s most anticipated traditions: the annual class photo.
He reminded everyone that this gathering celebrates the fact that everyone is a winner. Being nominated meant overcoming huge odds, he said. Hundreds of films were considered this year, but only a handful received nominations across categories. “Embrace every moment,” he told everyone. “This recognition is yours forever.” Delroy Lindo began the class roll call and Teyana Taylor concluded it. The resulting collective portrait, both chaotic and historic, captures a snapshot that will linger long after awards season ends.
Before leaving, nominators were reminded to collect their certificates and fill out one final prompt printed on notepads at each table: “What movie made you want to be a part of this world?” It was a fitting final note. The luncheon isn’t about predicting who will get the statuette next month. This is to remind everyone how far they have come since the beginning.
