Sensemaker How to win an Oscar
Mar 13, 2026
Miranda Sawyer, broadcaster and awards historian, traces Oscar campaigning from early Hollywood dinners to modern tactics. Leila Lateef, journalist and awards strategist, explains how studios plan budgets, screenings and voter outreach. They explore FYC packages, Q&As, narrative-building and how momentum, gaffes and storytelling shape who gets a statue.
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Studios Start Oscar Campaigns Before Shooting
- Studios plan Oscar campaigns before shooting and often fund them from marketing budgets or contract bonuses.
- Leila Lateef notes campaigns can be written into contracts and studios decide early how much to spend and who benefits.
Design Distinctive FYC Packages
- Use For Your Consideration packages and distinctive swag to reach Academy voters directly.
- Leila Lateef describes crafting coffee-table books, behind-the-scenes photos and themed gifts to stand out.
Q&As And Clips Amplify Voter Awareness
- Campaigns mix in-person Q&As, screenings, talk shows and social clips to keep nominees visible to voters.
- Miranda Sawyer credits Ridley Scott for popularising Q&As and Leila Lateef highlights viral clips amplifying those events.