BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The race for the Oscar Awards entered its final stretch with the traditional nominees' luncheon, held this Tuesday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the usual venue for events such as the Golden Globes, which, although in full swing After a renovation, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences dressed up once again to welcome Hollywood's stars. Among the various celebrations the Academy organizes each year, the "Oscars Nominees Luncheon" is one of the most relaxed. Almost all the nominees from every category attended—a total of 230 nominees from 29 different countries at this 98th edition. After a cocktail reception that lasted more than an hour, the guests sat at round tables and listened to some advice about the big awards night, which will take place on March 15. Following lunch, the nominees were called one by one by actor Lou Diamond Phillips and, gathered on stage, posed for the official group photo. In the front row and center was a regular at these celebrations: Guillermo del Toro. Latin American Representation: The Mexican director, nominated for "Frankenstein," was among the most punctual. Shortly after 11 a.m., he arrived to check in and told us that on Sundays he plays at making “monsters with little figures,” so he couldn't see Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, a moment many were still talking about two days later. The director of “The Secret Agent,” Kleber Mendonca Filho, was very proud that Brazil had a film nominated for Best Picture for the second year in a row, and was critical of the Trump Administration: “The United States wants to remain leaders, but they are destroying alliances,” he commented. “That's why it was so beautiful to see Bad Bunny's Super Bowl show, naming all the countries of the Americas.” Shortly after, his lead actor, Wagner Moura, who is also nominated for the golden statuette, arrived wearing a long wool coat. “We love him,” said Puerto Rican actor Benicio del Toro about his compatriot Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio.Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “One Battle After Another.” Nearby stood the film's star, Leonardo DiCaprio. Another Hispanic nominee this year is Nidia Santiago, producer of “Little Amelie or the Character of Rain,” which will compete for the Best Animated Feature award. Santiago, who has lived in France longer than in her native Mexico, wore a beautiful shirt designed by her sister and a brooch made by her mother: “I always like to bring things made by my family to these events.” Australian actor Jacob Elordi and Spanish director Oliver Laxe, undoubtedly the two tallest men in the room, greeted each other warmly during the cocktail hour. Laxe is nominated for Best International Feature Film for his surprising “Sirat.” Elordi, one of Hollywood's hottest actors, whose film "Wuthering Heights" premieres this week, will be vying for the Best Supporting Actor award for his portrayal of the monster in "Frankenstein." Later, familiar faces arrived, including Timothee Chalamet—the favorite for Best Actor for his role in "Marty Supreme"—and his rivals in the category: Michael B. Jordan for "Sinners," Ethan Hawke for "Blue Moon," and the aforementioned DiCaprio and Moura. Steven Spielberg—producer of "Hamnet," nominated for Best Picture—Emma Stone—another year's Best Actress nominee for "Bugonia"—and the Best Supporting Actress nominees Elle Fanning (for "Sentimental Value") and Teyana Taylor (for "One Battle After Another") chatted animatedly with everyone who approached them. Heartfelt speeches “Their stories are the greatest truth we have,” said Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor, referring to the global political situation. “Films can change perspectives.” Howell Taylor also noted that some nominees were unable to attend the luncheon due to the situation in their countries. This was the case for Mehdi Mahmoudian, co-writer of “It Was Just An Accident,” an Iranian film by director Jafar Panahi. Mahmoudian was arrested two weeks ago in Iran for signing a statement critical of Ali Khamenei's regime.

Howell Taylor ended by advising those present on how to approach their Oscar acceptance speeches if they win, reminding them that they have a good chance, “a one in five chance”

“Make your speech feel authentic, heartfelt. The initial impulse is to want to thank everyone, but you're bound to forget someone. Think instead about what that moment means to you.”