Here & Now Anytime Oscars: ‘Sinners,’ ‘Sentimental Value’ and ‘Hamnet’ vie for Best Picture and more
Mar 13, 2026
Coverage of three Oscar contenders: a genre-bending horror mixing blues, history and vampires; a Norwegian family drama exploring memory, grief and cinematic close‑ups; and a literary adaptation reimagining Shakespeare’s world through a wife’s perspective. Conversations cover casting craft, searching for the right faces, filmmaking choices, and how art grapples with trauma and loss.
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Casting Requires Relentless Worldwide Searching
- Casting directors must present wide possibilities to fulfill a director's vision.
- Francine Maisler describes a worldwide search for Sammy, pulling thousands of tapes from music schools, blues clubs, and overseas to find the right performer.
From A Dark Tape To A Breakout Musician-Actor
- Miles Caton was discovered from a dark, low-quality tape where his voice stood out despite not having acted before.
- Ryan Coogler asked for a redo with lights on; Miles then learned guitar in three months and delivered a truthful, non-false performance.
Oscar Category Reveals Casting's Hidden Influence
- The new Best Casting Oscar makes visible a long-standing synergy between casting and acting.
- Maisler says directors and producers already knew casting's value; the category mainly educates audiences about that role.
