While this year's Oscars are finally back on track, and the 2023 Nominees Luncheon was back at the Beverly Hilton after a hiatus that even preceded the epidemic, certain changes remain.
Janet Yang, the newly-elected President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, congratulated the 182 nominees in attendance, and said, "I feel it's important to take this special opportunity while we're gathered here together to discuss some of the Academy's recent challenges."
Yang continued, "We learned from this that the Academy must be completely transparent and accountable in our actions, and that you must and can expect no less from us in the future."
Yang mentioned the famous slap incident when presenter Chris Rock was slammed for a joke made by his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Yang received the greatest applause when she said, "We have worked really hard this year to present all awards live on the program." These were some of the categories that were moved to a pre-taped ceremony throughout the 94th Oscars telecast.
The 95th Annual Oscars Nominees Luncheon will feature Joshua Seftel, Malala Yousafzai, Daniel Roher, Shane Boris, Daniel Kwan, a guest, and Daniel Scheinert.
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The game always becomes, Who is Getting the Most Applause? From Best Actress Michelle Yeoh to Producer Jonathan Wang, the room kept the most energy for the filmmakers behind A24's multiversal drama.
Colin Farrell ("The Banshees of Inisherin") and Austin Butler ("Elvis") both received a lot of applause as a result of it being a surprise they attended the event, as well as producer/star of "Top Gun: Maverick."
Nominees for the 95th Oscars® were honored at a luncheon held at the Beverly Hilton on Monday, February 13, 2023.
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Because of several upcoming projects, including two new "Mission: Impossible" sequels, he couldn't seem to get inside the hotel's International Ballroom before everyone, from Best Supporting Actor frontrunner Ke Huy Quan ("Everything All at Once") to Best Supporting Actress frontrunner Angela Bassett ("Black Panther: Wakanda Forever") stopped by his side to say hi and snap pictures.
Guillermo del Toro, the filmmaker who first met him in the "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" film "Lift Me Up," was nominated this year for co-writing Best Original Song contender "Lift Me Up," but his fellow animation nominee Domee Shi ("Turning Red") was right there.
Best Animated Short nominee Pamela Ribon (“My Year of Dicks”) said hello to Hsu, who leaned over to her on the top riser, about the possibility of requiring a boost when she was ready to record the picture.
Diane Warren, who is also on the rise, and who is positioned next to Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer of "Top Gun: Maverick," has said that she is all in on collaborating with him again for a sequel to "Coyote Ugly."
Butler shared that most of the award season programs he attends are focused on his one film, so it's nice to be in a position where he can connect with other nominated actors. For example, he had a quick chat with Fellow Irishman and Best Actor nominee Paul Mescal (“Aftersun”) with Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”).
The Nominees Luncheon, which was packed with interviews, snubs, and surprises, served as a reminder that the Oscars are there for all artists to see each other on March 12.