The Golden Globes winners have been announced, and the stars are readying themselves for the BAFTAS red carpet on 16 February, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards on 23 February. Meanwhile, the much sought-after golden statues wait patiently in the wings for the 97th Academy Awards celebration on 02 March. According to the pundits, some of the front runners celebrated at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards could also be the firm favourites to take home the prized Oscars, but these are simply their predictions – what are yours?
Of course, the Oscar nominations announced recently provide the next big clue as to which movies, casts and crews are poised to take top honours in this year’s race to movie stardom. And, with many of the films nominated for Best Film now screening at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas, or scheduled to release in the coming weeks, movie buffs have the opportunity to see them in all their glory – and as they were made to be seen – on the big screen.
Having garnered 10 Oscar nominations each, leading the pack of cinema releases are The Brutalist (releasing in cinema on 07 February) and the ever popular Wicked: Part 1, currently on circuit. Among the nominations for Wicked: Part 1 are nominations for Best Picture, Cynthia Erivo in the Best Actress category and Ariana Grande in Best Supporting Actress. The Brutalist has been nominated, among others, for Best Picture, Best Director for Brady Corbet and Adrien Brody in the Best Actor category.
Other leading nominees include A Complete Unknown and Conclave with eight, followed by Anora with six nominations, with all three receiving a Best Picture nod. Other films that have received various nominations in other categories include: Maria, Better Man, Nosferatu, A Real Pain and Gladiator 2.
Says Lynne Wylie, chief marketing officer of Ster-Kinekor: “South Africans love movies, and the big box office performers of 2024 at our cinemas are proof of this. Our audiences love watching their favourite actors doing what they do best – and, on the big screen, as the films are crafted to be viewed.
“The 2025 Oscars season has officially kicked off with the announcement of this year’s Academy Award nominations. We hope everyone will join in the excitement and anticipation of the Oscar buzz, by watching some or all of these highly-rated and nominated movies on our big screens – as the directors made them to be viewed – and start making their predictions!”
Five of the ten films nominated for Best Picture are currently on circuit or are releasing in the next week at select Ster-Kinekor, Cine Prestige and Cinema Nouveau cinemas nationally. This gives movie lovers the opportunity to watch a feast of the best of the best on the big screen in the run-up to the Academy Awards ceremony.
The full list of the 2025 Oscar nominations is available here. The 97th Academy Awards ceremony takes place on 02 March 2025 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by Emmy® Award-winning television host, writer, producer and comedian Conan O’Brien.
“Ster-Kinekor continually strives to provide audiences with the latest blockbusters and top-rated movies on both the mainstream and art movie circuits. The only way to fully appreciate the craftsmanship of these multi-nominated films is to view them as they were created to be viewed – on the big screen.
“As we start the countdown to the 97th Academy Awards ceremony, we invite movie lovers to watch the best films in the comfort of one of our cinemas and participate in the Oscar buzz. We’d love to know who you think deserves to take home an Oscar this year,” says Wylie.
