Director Greta Gerwig and the stars of the film Barbie were center stage at the Oscar dinner, a gathering that brings together all nominees a month before the ceremony. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling led the spotlight, drawing attention from peers and fans alike.
Despite ongoing social media debates about the Hollywood Academy’s nominations, Robbie and Gerwig entered the evening with strong support from colleagues, as the generational photo moments of the event continued to attract attention.
From the moment she stepped into the Beverly Hilton’s grand hall in Beverly Hills, Gerwig moved through the crowd with barely a moment to breathe. Guests lined up for congratulations, selfies, and quick chats. She expressed genuine happiness, describing the experience as thrilling and never tiring to her.
Gosling enjoyed a similarly vibrant moment, hosting one of the busiest lunch tables and drawing notable guests who joined him for conversations. The highlight of the afternoon was a long-awaited reunion with Emma Stone, his co-star from a previous landmark film, a moment fans remember for its Oscar-nominated resonance in both acting categories years earlier.
Robbie, the heart of the Barbie story, drew a flock of admirers and was widely praised for her red-carpet presence, sporting a classic pink Chanel look that complemented her promotion of the film. She confirmed plans for a rehearsal ahead of the ceremony, scheduled for Monday, March 10, signaling a busy week of preparation and celebration.
a star dog
Another standout during the event was Snoop, the border collie from Anatomy of a Fall, whose charm won over America Ferrera and drew Gosling toward the stage for a memorable moment. The mood rested on shared excitement and the sense of a night where every guest felt like part of a larger story.
The Academy’s leadership echoed the privilege of the moment, reminding attendees to craft concise, heartfelt speeches. A call for speeches that speak from the heart underscored the evening’s spirit, with a reminder that 45 seconds can carry a strong message when it comes from sincerity.
To illustrate what a concise, meaningful speech can look like, a clip from a past winner’s remarks was shown, reinforcing the value of brevity and authenticity in awards stage moments. The example underscored that shorter, well-timed words can have lasting impact.
spanish flair
Spanish representation was well represented, with filmmakers such as Pablo Berger and Juan Antonio Bayona present. Berger attended in support of his animated feature Robot Dreams, while Bayona competed with The Snow Society, accompanied by Enzo Vogrincic, who spoke about the moment and his excitement at being part of the ceremony. The audience acknowledged their achievements with sustained applause as photographers captured the evening.
While the room buzzed with energy, more attendees stepped forward for the belt photo, including Lily Gladstone, Jon Batiste, Steven Spielberg, and Paul Giamatti, whose presence added extra star power to the gathering.
The night also saw a notable moment as Christopher Nolan, a standout contender with Oppenheimer, shared a handshake with Martin Scorsese, a scene that drew immediate attention and heightened anticipation for the award outcomes.
The 96th Academy Awards winners will be revealed at the televised ceremony set for March 10 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, marking a pinnacle moment in the film industry deliberations for the year.