On January 22, the Hollywood Academy announced the nominees for the 2026 Oscars, highlighting the performance of Brazilian cinema. The film 'The Secret Agent' directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho attained an impressive four nominations, competing for categories including Best Picture, Best Actor for Wagner Moura, Best International Film, and Best Ensemble. This remarkable achievement ties it with 'City of God' for the most nominations by a Brazilian film.

Leading the nominations is 'Sinners' with 16 nods, followed by 'One Battle After Another' with 13, and a three-way tie for nine nominations between 'Frankenstein', 'Marty Supreme', and 'Sentimental Value'. 'Hamnet: The Life Before Hamlet' rounded out the list with eight nominations. The diversity and range of films nominated this year reflect a growing recognition of both international and independent films in a traditionally Hollywood-dominated awards landscape.

The 2026 Oscar ceremony is set to take place on March 15 in Los Angeles, with comedian Conan O'Brien returning as the host for the 98th edition of the awards. The recognition of 'The Secret Agent' not only brings pride to Brazilian cinema but also highlights the ongoing evolution of the Oscars in honoring a broader spectrum of cinematic achievements beyond the conventional American narratives.