The 98th Academy Awards are fast approaching, and anonymous Oscar ballots are already surfacing, providing insight into how members of the Academy are voting in this year’s nominations. This year, the period-set vampire horror-thriller Sinners is the talk of the town, having earned 16 Academy Award nominations. Now, if the ballot of one voter from the actors’ branch is any indication, Sinners may have strong momentum heading into the awards ceremony.
“Sinners” backed strongly in actors branch Oscar ballot
A recurring feature of awards season coverage is the anonymous Oscar ballots. The feature shares insights from Academy voters who keep their identities confidential. This gives them the opportunity to speak freely about their picks. Although a single ballot is not an accurate prediction of the final outcome of the Oscars, it still gives an idea about which films are dominating the conversations among industry professionals.
According to the ballot published by Variety, one voter from the actors’ branch picked Sinners to win in several major categories. The person in question is a 65-year-old actor and has picked Sinners to win the best picture, actor, and supporting actress categories. Apart from the best picture, Michael B. Jordan and Wunmi Mosaku are nominated in the two other aforementioned categories, respectively.
“I loved ‘Hamnet’ and ‘Sinners.’ I don’t want to punish either film for being different kinds of great. Both gutted me in different ways,” the actor commented.
Notably, thousands of members vote across different branches of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the final results reflect a wide range of perspectives rather than the preferences of any one group. Nevertheless, the ballot suggests that the film has made a strong impression on certain members of the Academy, as the actors’ branch holds significant sway within the Oscars’ large voting bloc.
Anonymous ballots are a rough indicator of how voters are thinking within the Academy, offering audiences a sneak peek at the decision-making process leading up to Hollywood’s biggest night.
As for Coogler, he isn’t making a big deal about winning the Oscars, as he considers the opportunity of making films a big reward in itself. However, as the awards season has entered its critical phase, it seems there is enthusiastic support for Sinners, at least in the actors’ branch ballot.