In a vocal display of discontent, hundreds of Brazilian fans took to social media to express their displeasure after the Oscars awarded the Best Casting prize to Cassandra Kulukundis for 'A Battle After Another'. Many viewers were upset, describing the win as a 'theft' and calling for a re-evaluation of the award. The online protest mirrored previous campaigns, as users encouraged each other to flood the Oscar's social media with gifs and messages of support for the Brazilian film 'O Agente Secreto'.

The film, featuring acclaimed actor Wagner Moura, had a strong backing from its audience, who felt that its casting director Gabriel Domingues deserved the recognition for his selection of actors. Moura himself praised Domingues for his ability to choose both lead and supporting roles, suggesting that the casting reflected a deeper connection to Brazilian cinematic history. The loss of the Oscar for Best Casting has been felt particularly deeply among the Brazilian film community, emphasizing their desire for local stories to gain international accolades.

The uproar not only highlights the emotional investment of fans in their national cinema but also raises questions about the Oscars' decision-making process and representation of diverse stories in global cinema. As international awards continue to shape the visibility of films, reactions like these may catalyze future discussions on inclusion and fairness, particularly for works emerging from non-Western countries.