Oscar nomination voting for the 2026 Academy Awards is in full swing, and Emma Stone Oscar nomination Bugonia is a major storyline heating up the race. With ballots open across the industry, the film “Bugonia” and Stone’s performance have become central topics, as industry events in Los Angeles drive speculation and excitement ahead of the January 22 announcement.
Oscar Nomination Voting Spurs Intense Industry Campaigns
As of January 12, the Oscar nomination process has ramped up rapidly after a quiet holiday period, transforming Hollywood into a whirlwind of activity. Strategists, studios, and publicists are treating this narrow window—before votes close on January 16—as an “all hands on deck” moment, pressing to secure every possible ballot. The urgency is palpable, shown by the industry adage,
If you’re in line, stay in line.
This reflects just how competitive every race has become this awards season.
Star-Studded Campaign Events Shape the Narrative
Throughout the first two weeks of January, film studios staged a series of packed screenings and high-profile Q&A sessions. These events, designed to engage guild voters and Academy members directly, are critical in swaying late-deciding voters. For instance, on January 5, Ariana Grande attracted a standing-room-only crowd at Soho House West Hollywood, where she led a lively discussion with top casting directors, blending humor and industry insight. The following day, Grande was the focal point at a screening and Q&A at CAA, openly reflecting on her five-year journey with “Wicked: For Good” in front of an influential audience of Academy members and insiders.
Kate Hudson’s performance in “Song Sung Blue” also received a boost from tastemaker screenings hosted by Demi Moore and attended by A-list supporters like Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Pacino, and Mark Ruffalo. Their visible presence at these events demonstrates how personal endorsements and direct access can play a decisive role in such a tight Oscar race this year.
All Eyes on ‘Bugonia’: Emma Stone and Team Command Attention
The competition for top Oscar categories is intense, with “Bugonia” earning particular attention thanks to Emma Stone, director Yorgos Lanthimos, and co-star Jesse Plemons. On January 7, a major all-guild screening in Los Angeles became a must-attend event, drawing a full house for a Q&A moderated by Nathan Fielder. This followed multiple earlier events featuring Plemons—such as an American Cinematheque screening at the Aero Theatre with Adam Scott moderating—and a separate all-guild Q&A with screenwriter Will Tracy. The “Bugonia” team’s energetic publicity push has anchored its status as a leading contender in several key Oscar races.
As the days tick down to the nominations deadline, the atmosphere is reminiscent of previous years where surprise nominees, like Fernanda Torres for “I’m Still Here,” reshaped the field by pulling both performer and film along for the ride, raising the possibility that “Bugonia” could see similar momentum this season.
Highlighting Diverse Competitors Across Major Oscar Categories
Current projections show a fiercely competitive landscape in nearly every artistic and technical category. Alongside “Bugonia,” titles such as “F1,” “Frankenstein,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” and “Sinners” feature prominently among the predicted Best Picture hopefuls, signaling a strong year for varied storytelling. Directors Paul Thomas Anderson (“One Battle After Another”), Ryan Coogler (“Sinners”), Guillermo Del Toro (“Frankenstein”), Joachim Trier (“Sentimental Value”), and Chloé Zhao (“Hamnet”) round out the leading director candidates, contributing to a richly diverse awards field.
For the acting categories, Emma Stone is seen as a major contender for the Oscar nomination in “Bugonia,” facing competition from Jessie Buckley (“Hamnet”), Rose Byrne (
“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
), Kate Hudson (“Song Sung Blue”), and Chase Infiniti (“One Battle After Another”). Best Actor nominees to watch include Timothée Chalamet (“Marty Supreme”), Leonardo DiCaprio (“One Battle After Another”), Ethan Hawke (“Blue Moon”), Michael B. Jordan (“Sinners”), and Wagner Moura (“The Secret Agent”).
Support roles are equally contested, with Benicio Del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal, Sean Penn, and Stellan Skarsgård in the Best Supporting Actor mix, and Ariana Grande, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Amy Madigan, Wunmi Mosaku, and Teyana Taylor vying for Best Supporting Actress nominations.
Technical and Artistic Races Feature Standout Work
Beyond the headline categories, films like “Bugonia,” “Frankenstein,” “Hamnet,” and “Sinners” lead in production design, cinematography, and costume design divisions. The technical branches also spotlight craft excellence with Adolpho Veloso (“Train Dreams”), Darius Khondji (“Frankenstein”), and Łukasz Żal (“Hamnet”) among the leading candidates for cinematography. Costume designers such as Kate Hawley (“Frankenstein”), Malgosia Turzanska (“Hamnet”), Colleen Atwood (“One Battle After Another”), and Ruth E. Carter (“Sinners”) are earning strong notice for their creative vision, while editors Stephen Mirrione (“F1”), Evan Schiff (“Frankenstein”), Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie (“Marty Supreme”), Andy Jurgensen (“One Battle After Another”), and Michael P. Shawver (“Sinners”) anchor the film editing category.
Awards Circuit: Insights From Filmmakers and Industry Influencers
Throughout January’s nomination window, the awards conversation has been enriched by Q&A sessions hosted by notable figures. Jessie Buckley, star of “Hamnet,” engaged audiences alongside director Chloé Zhao at events moderated by Seth Rogen, while industry insiders such as Joel Edgerton, Bryce Dessner, Greg Kwedar, and Clint Bentley delved into the artistry behind “Train Dreams” at the San Vicente Bungalows Santa Monica. Director Oliver Laxe and composer Kangding Ray united for a live score event for “Sirāt” at Avalon Hollywood, energizing attendees and showcasing the creative collaboration at work behind the season’s most talked-about films.
The repeated attendance of key industry personalities such as Rian Johnson, Adam Scott, David Hemingson, Mark McGille, and producers, artisans, and casting directors highlights the community-driven, collaborative energy at this stage of the Oscar race. These gatherings allow voters a rare, intimate look at both the day-to-day craft and the emotional drive motivating this year’s Oscar hopefuls.
Key Predictions: ‘Bugonia’ Among This Year’s Leading Contenders
According to the most current unofficial predictions, “Bugonia” is tracked as a top five front-runner for Best Picture, with Emma Stone’s Oscar nomination widely anticipated. The film is also projected to compete in Adapted Screenplay, Production Design, and other artistic categories, reflecting its broad support. In parallel, Yorgos Lanthimos’s direction and Will Tracy’s screenplay are also drawing attention, with Jesse Plemons joining the conversation following a series of high-profile Q&As.
While “Bugonia” is not running unopposed—in fact, it is going up against strong projects from Netflix, Warner Bros., Focus Features, and Universal Pictures—it has managed to capture the imagination of both critics and voters through direct, consistently well-attended events and endorsements from major industry names.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect as Deadline Nears
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, encompassing 11,000 members across 19 branches, began voting at 9 a.m. PT on January 12, with voting set to close by January 16 at 5 p.m. Pacific time. Anticipation is building across both traditional media and within the industry itself, as nominees for all categories will be officially revealed on January 22.
This year’s Oscar race, energized by passionate fan bases, influential guild gatherings, and the resourceful lobbying of studios and strategists, is likely to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. With the Emma Stone Oscar nomination Bugonia bid at the center of the industry’s speculation, the coming days will determine whether Stone, Lanthimos, and their entire filmmaking team can translate this season’s momentum into Academy Award nominations—and potentially, historic wins.
