Oscar Nominee Reactions

22 Jan 2026 by Sasha Stone · Awards Daily

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Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent:

“I am truly honored by the amazing news this morning. Thank you to the Academy for recognizing, seeing, and responding to The Secret Agent. Congratulations to Gabriel Domingues and the extraordinarily talented and diverse cast of our film. Congratulations to my dear friends Kleber Mendonça Filho and Emilie Lesclaux. I share this nomination with the beautiful country of Brazil and the unwavering support, pride and love Brazilians have for their culture.”

“Making this film was one of the most meaningful and collaborative experiences of my life. It was made possible by the generosity, courage, and talent of an extraordinary cast—Teyana, Chase, Benny, Sean—and by the commitment of our entire crew.

None of this would have been possible without Paul’s vision, dedication, and belief in this film. He brought to life a complex story that feels deeply relevant to the world we’re living in, and I’m honored the Academy has recognized it in this moment.

Congratulations to my fellow nominees for their remarkable work this season, and thank you again to the Academy” — Leonardo DiCaprio, One Battle After Another

“What an incredible feeling and moment to have been nominated! My heart is filled with gratitude and joy. I’m so thrilled to celebrate with all the amazing women in this category. Being in ‘Song Sung Blue’ has been one of the great honors of my life.” Kate Hudson, Song Sung Blue

Geeta Gandbhir (Director) – Best Documentary Feature Film – THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR

“Ajike Owens was a bright young mother of four with big dreams – one of the last things she said to her mother was, “one day the whole world will know my name.” We made The Perfect Neighbor to honor Ajike’s and mitigate our grief around her senseless murder. We are so honored to be nominated, and hope this incredible recognition will further Ajike’s legacy and create real change.”

Joshua Seftel (Director/Producer) – Best Documentary Short Film – ALL THE EMPTY ROOMS

“We’re humbled by the recognition All the Empty Rooms has received, and by the people who made this film possible. The empty bedrooms in our film belong to four children: Dominic, 14; Hallie, 9; Jackie, 9; and Gracie, 14. Each of these lives was ended far too soon by a crisis that is wholly preventable. Our hope is that this film helps us see gun violence first through a human lens. No matter where we come from, we can agree on one thing: our children deserve to be safe at school. Thank you to the families who opened their lives to us and trusted us to help carry their children’s memories forward. To our team, collaborators, partners, and everyone who has taken the time to watch, listen, and feel, we’re grateful for you.”

Sam Davis (Director) – Best Live Action Short Film – THE SINGERS

“”A year and a half after filming we reconvened where it all began—at the La Habra Moose Lodge, which graciously opened its doors at 4:30 this morning…I want to dedicate this moment to the hundreds of friends who trusted and poured into a vision that was frankly very unlikely to succeed. We challenged ourselves to pack 18 minutes with humor, heart, and humanity; to give an oddball cast of brilliant first-timers the sort of spotlight they deserved but never had before. And to make something risky, unconventional, and handmade in the age of automation. The Singers is about a lot of things, but at its core it’s a testament to the power of art and vulnerability to create compassion and community. I hope that the exposure that comes with this incredible honor will help that message reverberate well beyond the walls of the Moose. Cheers to the Academy.”

Adolpho Veloso – Best Cinematography – TRAIN DREAMS

“It’s a dream come true. One of those dreams that feels so distant it almost lives in utopia. I still can’t believe it. I’m incredibly happy and deeply honored. This nomination belongs to the entire crew who brought this film to life, and to my family and friends for their endless support. I’m so proud to represent Brazil in such a special moment for our cinema. Vai Brasil, vai Corinthians!”

From Ethan Hawke, Blue Moon:

“Playing Larry Hart was the greatest challenge of my 40 year acting career. To make this film alongside one of my best friends, the incomparable Richard Linklater, was an honor in itself. Today I’m thinking back to the first time I read Robert Kaplow’s brilliant, now Oscar-nominated script, which so vividly captures the dangers and the joy in pursuing an artistic life. Thank you to The Academy for recognizing our work, and with it the work of our cast, crew, and the entire company of artists who came together in Ireland to realize BLUE MOON.”

From Jessie Buckley, Hamnet:

“It’s an absolute honour to be recognised by the Academy. I am so proud to be standing beside all these extraordinary artists and fellow nominees whose work has inspired me and moved me!
Chloé Zhao you cracked my heart wide open when you asked me to step into Maggie O’Farrell’s world and create our Agnes beside you. Paul, there is no Agnes without you. I’m so grateful to have been part of this story with the incredible village of artists I shared it with.
To make anything at all is an absolute triumph, and this recognition belongs to every artist who bravely pours themselves into the work and journeys towards the undiscovered landscapes of their souls. I’m delighted, deeply grateful and humbled to be part of this community. Thank you.”

From Oliver Laxe (Director/Writer) of Sirat:

“Thank you to the Academy. It gives meaning to the work we do to know that it speaks to people so profoundly. The level of intense connection with audiences all over the world gives me peace; It tells me, ‘Okay, you’re on the right path.’ Thank you to NEON. I am so proud of our amazing team, my producers, my co-collaborators and department heads but it is most special to share this nomination with the women of the sound team: Laia, Amanda and Yas.

To the beautiful people of rave culture who we met along the way and the families we formed, thank you. We are all humbled and honored.”

Adolpho Veloso – Best Cinematography – TRAIN DREAMS

The Writer/Director of The Voice of Hind Rajab, Kaouther Ben Hania:

“Today, THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB is officially an Academy Award nominee for Best International Feature Film. I don’t really know how to write this sentence without stopping for a moment. This nomination belongs first to Hind. To her voice. To what should never have happened and yet did. It belongs to everyone who believed that cinema can still be a space for truth, care, and responsibility. To my incredible team, who carried this film with courage and precision. To Tunisia, whose cinema continues to exist, resist, and speak even when it is uncomfortable. Among these beautiful films from around the world, I’m deeply honored that Hind’s voice is there.

Not as a symbol. As history. Thank you to the Academy for listening. And to all of you who have carried this film, shared it, defended it, and felt it. We keep going.”

From Will Tracy, Bugonia

I’m feeling very honored right now to be nominated for this award, especially amongst such sterling company. Working on the film with my friends was a hugely happy experience, and that’s all down to the trust and support of Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Ari Aster, Lars Knudsen, and all the fine folks at Focus Features. I raise my mug to them.

From Maggie O’Farrell, Hamnet:

We have HAMNET co-writer Maggie O’Farrell available this morning for a quick reaction phoner following her exciting first-time Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Can you please let me know if you’re available to speak with her this morning? We have her available now through 6:45am PT. Thank you so much!

From the Sirat sound team:

“We are thrilled to have received this nomination. We extend our sincere congratulations to the other nominees, it is an honour to share this alongside such talented and inspiring colleagues.

This is a milestone we never could have imagined, and it fills us with deep joy and gratitude. We are thankful to be the first women-led sound team nominated in this category — the significance of this moment is not lost on us. The film required taking risks on both a technical and creative level in order to create a raw, impactful, and atmospheric soundscape in service of the story, and we are delighted to see that these efforts and decisions are recognised by our fellow peers from the Academy.

We want to acknowledge and thank our visionary filmmaker Oliver Laxe, our wonderful producers, and the diverse communities who have championed this unique story. Thank you to the NEON team and the distributors worldwide for all of their support.” – Laia Casanovas, Amanda Villavieja, and Yasmina Praderas

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