OKLAHOMA CITY – Members of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art Film Society and OKCMOA Moderns gathered at the museum Wednesday evening for an Oscars-themed celebration, beginning with a reception in Founders Hall, where guests mingled over hors d’oeuvres and DIY Oscar decorations and discussed some of their favorite films.
The program then moved to the Noble Theater for a panel featuring Free Press’s own Brett Fieldcamp, OKCMOA’s Director of Film Programming Lisa Broad, and President and CEO Michael J. Anderson. They unpacked the year’s nominations and debated frontrunners before introducing a surprise screening.
Ahead of the event, Broad spoke to Free Press about the importance of cultivating film culture in Oklahoma City, particularly as the local film industry continues to grow.
“It has been wonderful to see the Oklahoma film industry grow and evolve over the past few years, and I think it’s essential to support that momentum by building a strong and adventurous film culture that inspires new generations of filmmakers and artists,” Broad told Free Press.
She emphasized the museum’s commitment to global and historical perspectives.
“At OKCMOA, we try to showcase a wide range of filmmaking styles from around the world that open up new possibilities for storytelling and also present restored American and international classics that help audiences gain a fuller understanding of film history,” Broad said.
Broad also expressed particular excitement about the Best International Feature category.
“I’ve been following the Best International Feature category very closely this year, and I’m eager to see which film wins,” she said. “It’s a great lineup, and for the first time since I’ve worked at OKCMOA, we’ll have the chance to screen all five nominees.”
At the event, Free Press’s Fieldcamp echoed similar sentiments, and both he and OKCMOA’s Anderson encouraged audiences to seek out international contenders such as “It Was Just an Accident” and discussed how global filmmaking continues to influence the awards conversation.
“I think this is the most exciting international feature category that I’ve ever seen at the Oscars,” Fieldcamp said at the panel discussion.
Much of the panel centered on the Best Picture race, particularly the dominance of “Sinners,” which earned 16 nominations, and “One Battle After Another,” which received 14.
“I sort of see this race as three possible worlds,” Broad said during the panel conversation. “I feel like there’s one where ‘Sinners’ takes everything, and there’s one where ‘One Battle After Another’ takes everything, and then there’s a chaotic, split sort of world where they each take half and half.”
Fieldcamp largely agreed.
“I really genuinely do think at this point that it’s probably a two-way fight between ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Sinners,’” he said.
Still, the panel made room for other standout films and performances. Broad praised Stellan Skarsgård’s performance in “Sentimental Value,” while Fieldcamp highlighted Ethan Hawke’s physical transformation in “Blue Moon.” The possibility of Timothée Chalamet making history as one of the youngest Best Actor winners also drew attention, as did unanimous praise for Jesse Buckley in “Hamnet.”
“I don’t think anything is going to top the performance from Jesse Buckley,” Fieldcamp said.
Broad also floated the possibility of an upset in Best Picture, pointing to films such as “Hamnet,” “The Secret Agent” and “Sentimental Value.”
“You could imagine some possibility where the two front-runners cancel each other out, and a third film emerges into that gap… entirely unlikely, but possible,” she said.
The conversation ranged from viewing formats and editing preferences to awards predictions and notable snubs, including Jesse Plemons’ absence for “Bugonia.” Panelists also highlighted the animated, live-action and documentary Oscar-nominated short films currently on view at the museum.
The evening concluded with a screening of “Blue Moon,” directed by Richard Linklater and starring Ethan Hawke as lyricist Lorenz “Larry” Hart.
Set on the 1943 opening night of “Oklahoma!,” the film follows Hart as he grapples with alcoholism and the unraveling of his partnership with composer Richard Rodgers. The film earned Academy Award nominations for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay.
“It’s a film about collaboration,” Broad said in her introduction. “And it’s kind of a film that unfolds in real time.”
When the film began, audience members savored the Oscar-nominated dialogue, breaking the silence only with a quiet hum of recognition or laughter, most notably at a cameo from then–Oklahoma City Mayor Robert Hefner.
“When it’s a movie about the opening night of ‘Oklahoma!’ and it has one of the Oklahoma City mayors, we just knew at one point we had to bring this film here,” OKCMOA’s Anderson joked after the screening.
Fieldcamp said he “loved every minute of” the film, while audience members joined the discussion, including one attendee who noted it was her fourth viewing.
“It gets better every time,” the audience member said.
About the Film Society
The event was exclusive to Film Society and Moderns members at select enhancement levels. Launched in 2017, the Film Society offers discounted tickets, invitations to quarterly events and other benefits throughout the year.
“Film Society events offer a great opportunity to meet and socialize with other film lovers and to take part in deeper conversations about movies and the art of filmmaking,” Broad said.
Member Bamah Beckman shared her appreciation during the discussion.
“This is one of my favorite things to do, to see these films here,” she said.
Rachel and Philip Moll, also Film Society members, praised the museum’s mix of new releases and classics.
“The Film Society is really cool and a really fun resource,” Rachel Moll said. “I noticed there were a lot of young people and older people, so I love seeing how multigenerational film is in Oklahoma City.”
Philip Moll added, “Between the Museum of Art and Oklahoma Film Exchange, I think we have a great theater conversation. It feels like there’s a renaissance of actual screening houses that are putting on good movies.”
The Oscars celebration is part of a broader slate of spring programming at OKCMOA’s Noble Theater. Throughout late February and March, the museum is screening Academy Award nominees and international features, along with special events and filmmaker appearances. Broad especially recommended “Sirât,” directed by Óliver Laxe and nominated for Best International Feature and Best Sound, as well as international selections like “A Poet” from Colombia and “The Love That Remains” from Iceland.
In March, Georgian director Alexandre Koberidze will appear in person for a screening of his experimental feature “Dry Leaf,” accompanied by his brother Giorgi, who composed the score and handled sound design. The museum is one of the few venues outside New York and Los Angeles to host the presentation.
2026 Oscar-Nominated Short Films
- Live Action: Feb. 28, March 7, 13, 14, 19
- Animation: Feb. 27, March 1, 5, 14, 15, 19
- Documentary: Feb. 26, March 8, 14
Feature Films
- “Magellan” (International Oscar submission) – Feb. 27, 28
- “Sentimental Value” (Oscar-nominated) – Feb. 28, March 1
- “The Voice of Hind Rajab” (Oscar-nominated) – March 5, 6
- “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” (Oscar-nominated) – March 5, 6
- “It Was Just an Accident” (Oscar-nominated) – March 7, 8
- “Sinners” (Oscar-nominated) – March 12
- “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” (Oscar-nominated) – March 13
- “A Poet” (International Oscar submission, Colombia) – March 20, 21, 22
- “Sirât” (Oscar-nominated; dir. Óliver Laxe) – March 20, 21, 22
- “67 Bombs to Enid” (encore screening with filmmaker Q&A) – March 21
- “Dry Leaf” (with director Alexandre Koberidze in person) – March 24
- “The Love That Remains” (International Oscar submission, Iceland) – March 27, 28, 29
Looking ahead, the Wide Open Experimental Film Festival, presented by Oklahoma City University’s Film Department, returns April 24–26 with curated programs of experimental short films.
Zoe Elrod covers events and happenings around Oklahoma City for Free Press bringing her skill as a reporter and photographer. Zoe has spent her career covering local musicians, artists, politicians, and everyday folks.
