AceShowbiz - The 98th Academy Awards ceremony delivered a mix of surprises and snubs, with some films walking away empty-handed despite multiple nominations, while others earned unexpected victories. The night saw a range of emotions as acclaimed titles either triumphed or were overlooked by the Academy.

One of the most talked-about moments was the inaugural Oscar for casting, awarded to One Battle After Another's Cassandra Kulukundis. Presented by star Chase Infiniti, the casting director humorously noted she had won an Oscar before director Paul Thomas Anderson, who later collected three awards that evening. Francine Maisler, the casting director for Sinners and a favorite in the category after winning the Casting Society's Artios Award, ultimately did not take home the trophy.

Despite multiple high-profile nominations, Marty Supreme, the ping pong-themed film by Josh Safdie starring Timothée Chalamet, did not win any awards. Chalamet, who was a frontrunner for Best Actor after victories at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards, lost to Sinners lead Michael B. Jordan. Marty Supreme had been nominated across major categories including Best Picture and Best Director but left the ceremony empty-handed.

Another surprising winner was Mr. Nobody Against Putin, which took home the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. Directed by David Borenstein and co-directed by Pavel "Pasha" Talankin, the film was considered an underdog compared to contenders like The Perfect Neighbor, Come See Me in the Good Light, and The Alabama Solution. Notably, Mr. Nobody Against Putin had gone much of the awards season without U.S. distribution before being acquired by Kino Lorber in early January.

The directing category saw a notable snub as Ryan Coogler, who won for Best Original Screenplay for Sinners, lost to Paul Thomas Anderson and his work on One Battle After Another. Despite a late awards season surge and a Best Ensemble win at the Actor Awards, Sinners did not secure Best Picture or Best Director.

The Live-Action Short Film category featured a rare tie, the seventh in Oscar history, as The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva shared the award. Presenter Kumail Nanjiani managed the announcement with composure, encouraging the audience to stay calm during the unusual result. The last tie at the Oscars occurred in 2013 for Sound Editing between Skyfall and Zero Dark Thirty.

In the acting categories, Stellan Skarsgård was a surprising omission from the winner’s circle. Although Sean Penn was favored for Best Supporting Actor, Skarsgård had been a close contender and had previously won at the Golden Globes, the only major ceremony Penn attended this season. However, Skarsgård did not secure the Oscar.

Some films popular with the Academy also failed to win awards. Bugonia, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, missed out despite nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress, Original Score, and Original Screenplay. Similarly, Netflix’s Train Dreams went home without trophies despite being nominated for Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Original Song, and Cinematography.

The Secret Agent, which had achieved double wins at the Cannes Film Festival, also left the ceremony empty-handed. The film, along with its star Wagner Moura, was nominated for Best Picture, International Feature, Best Actor, and Casting but failed to secure any wins. This was notable considering the film’s two Golden Globe victories earlier in the season.

Adding to the night’s intrigue, Dame Anna Wintour’s decision to overlook Anne Hathaway’s stunning Oscars gown drew attention, but it was the films and performances that truly captured headlines. Titles such as Marty Supreme, Bugonia, Train Dreams, and The Secret Agent were among those shut out completely despite strong showings during the season.

Overall, the 98th Oscars ceremony was defined by a mix of expected winners and surprising outcomes, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the awards season and the Academy’s evolving tastes. The night celebrated a variety of voices and talents, from casting directors to documentary filmmakers, while some favorites and frontrunners were left waiting for their moment.