The 98th Academy Awards are currently underway at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, bringing together some of the biggest names in the film industry to celebrate the year’s best achievements in cinema. 

 

The ceremony is being hosted by comedian and television presenter Conan O’Brien, who is hosting the Oscars for the second consecutive year.

 

Several prominent stars are presenting awards, including Priyanka Chopra, Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Anne Hathaway and Gwyneth Paltrow. Security at the venue has been heightened amid rising tensions in West Asia.

As the ceremony progresses, several early winners have already been announced. 

 

Amy Madigan won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Weapons. The Oscar for Best Animated Feature went to KPop Demon Hunters, while The Girl Who Cried Pearls won Best Animated Short Film. The film Frankenstein also secured multiple honours, winning both Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. In a newly introduced category at the Oscars, Best Casting was awarded to Cassandra Kulukundis for One Battle After Another. The Best Live Action Short Film category resulted in a rare tie, with The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva sharing the award.

 

Among the acting honours announced so far, Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in One Battle After Another. In the screenplay categories, Paul Thomas Anderson won Best Adapted Screenplay for One Battle After Another, while Ryan Coogler won Best Original Screenplay for Sinners. The film Sinners, which entered the ceremony with the highest number of nominations, has already started collecting major awards, raising expectations for more wins later.

 

Meanwhile, the biggest awards of the event, including Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Picture, are yet to be announced as the star-studded ceremony continues in Los Angeles.