As the 98th Academy Awards draw closer, the spotlight is shining on the Bay Area’s significant impact in the film industry. Whether they’re natives or current residents, Bay Area talent has undeniably had a standout year.
One of the highlights is the film “Bugonia,” which prominently features San Francisco’s own Alicia Silverstone. This film has garnered several Oscar nominations, with its total reaching four, marking a notable achievement for the dark comedy genre.
RELATED: Check out the complete list of 2026 Oscar nominees
Meanwhile, the film “Sinners” has made waves by earning a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations, with much of the excitement rooted in the Bay Area.
Ryan Coogler, the director of “Sinners” and an Oakland native, is in the running for the Best Director award.
“I come from a community that has always supported me, instilling in me a strong sense of power and pride,” Coogler remarked while accepting the BAFTA Award for Original Screenplay last month. “I love them in return. They made me believe that I could achieve this, that I could be a writer.”
February’s win was just another historic accomplishment for the film’s team. It made the vampire thriller the “most-decorated movie from a Black director” in BAFTA history.
Back home, and ahead of his own movie release at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater, Bay Area basketball icon Steph Curry weighed in on Coogler’s craft, creativity and love of community.
“I got to see ‘Sinners’ here, when it first came out,” Curry told ABC7 Eyewitness News. “When Ryan Coogler came back to show it. So, it’s just crazy that my movie now is being played here.”
Also behind the “Sinners’” success is Autumn Durald Arkapaw, up for Best Cinematography.
The first woman of color nominated in this category, Arkapaw grew up in San Leandro and Danville before moving to Los Angeles.
There is no shortage of East Bay talent. Of “Sinners’” 16 Oscar nominations, the nod for Best Original Song goes to music from Oakland native Raphael Saadiq. Oakland resident Delroy Lindo is tapped for Best Supporting Actor.
Come Oscars Sunday, among the magic, the madness, the glitz, glam and grandiose of Hollywood – the recognition of home.
Arkapaw told ABC7 Eyewitness News that most of her family still resides in the Bay Area.
Both “Sinners” and Bugonia are up for Best Picture.
For those looking for something a little more family-friendly, our friends at Pixar and Disney Animation Studios talk about their Oscar-nominated, animated films – “Elio” and “Zootopia 2.” The directors and producers also told ABC7 Eyewitness News about the Bay Area themes folded into their films. For that coverage, click here.
March 15 is Oscar Sunday! Watch the 2026 Oscars live on ABC and Hulu.
Live red carpet coverage starts at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT with “On The Red Carpet at the Oscars.”Catch all the action on the red carpet live on ABC, or stream on Hulu and OnTheRedCarpet.com.The 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. and will be followed by “The Bachelorette: Before the First Rose.”
For more stories and videos about the 98th Academy Awards, click here.
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