Apple News Today What it actually costs to win an Oscar
30 snips
Mar 14, 2026 
Katey Rich, awards editor at The Ankler and host of the Prestige Junkie podcast, breaks down Oscars campaigning and voting mechanics. She describes big-budget promotion stunts, who actually votes and how branch voting shapes nominations. Conversations cover screenings, the rise of aggressive campaigning, and which films and crafts are favored this year.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Lavish Screenings And Parties Draw Voter Attention
- Campaign events can be theatrical and lavish, like an elaborate Victorian fair or hot air balloons for screenings.
- Netflix often stages high-spectacle afterparties at exclusive venues like the Polo Lounge to attract influencer attention.
Voting Requires A Watch Confirmation But Relies On Honor
- The Academy added a button requiring voters to confirm they've watched a film, but enforcement is largely honor-system and imperfect.
- Campaigns still keep spreadsheets tracking who saw films at screenings, festivals, or on the Academy portal to prioritize outreach.
Weinstein's 1999 Campaign Changed Oscar Tactics
- Harvey Weinstein's Shakespeare in Love campaign in 1999 is a turning point that normalized aggressive Oscar campaigning.
- Weinstein used whisper campaigns and negative publicity to topple presumed winners like Saving Private Ryan.