Now that Venice and Telluride have wrapped, the conversation around 2026 Oscar Predictions is shifting into focus. The fall festivals have always been kingmakers, and this year is no exception. With Toronto, New York, and AFI still to come, pundits are beginning to separate hype from substance, while studios map out their awards strategies.

Best Picture: Early Leaders and Question Marks

According to Awards Daily , the most significant debut at Telluride was Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet . Reactions suggest it could be the “real deal,” with some comparing its trajectory to past Telluride favorites like Nomadland or Oppenheimer . Produced by Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes, and directed by a potential repeat winner in Zhao, the film has quickly become the presumed frontrunner.

But the fie

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