AwardsWatch Podcast Ep. 308 – The International Feature Film Oscar Race and Previewing the 63rd New York Film Festival
On episode 308 of the AwardsWatch podcast, Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade and Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello look at the competitive International Feature... Read More
Erik Anderson
Erik Anderson is the founder/owner and Editor-in-Chief of AwardsWatch and has always loved all things Oscar, having watched the Academy Awards since he was in single digits; making lists, rankings and predictions throughout the show. This led him down the path to obsessing about awards. Much later, he found himself in film school and the film forums of GoldDerby, and then migrated over to the former Oscarwatch (now AwardsDaily), before breaking off to create AwardsWatch in 2013.
He is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, accredited by the Cannes Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and more, is a member of the International Cinephile Society (ICS), The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics (GALECA), Critics Choice Association (CCA), San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) and the International Press Academy. Among his many achieved goals with AwardsWatch, he has given a platform to underrepresented writers and critics and supplied them with access to film festivals and the industry and calls the Bay Area his home where he lives with his husband and son.
2026 Oscar Predictions: ADAPTED SCREENPLAY and ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY (September)
Coming in late with screenplay predictions this season, largely to see if any ‘is it adapted or original’ contenders could get ironed out but there... Read More
Film at Lincoln Center Announces ‘Talks’ for 63rd New York Film Festival, Including Jafar Panahi, Claire Denis, Noah Baumbach
Film at Lincoln Center has revealed the Talks for the 63rd New York Film Festival, including Jafar Panahi, who returns to the New York Film... Read More
Rose Kuo Named Artistic Director of California Film Institute and the Mill Valley Film Festival
The California Film Institute (CAFILM) has named Rose Kuo as Artistic Director, a newly created leadership position established earlier this year to guide the organization’s... Read More
2026 Oscar Predictions: BEST CASTING (September)
I haven’t done new Best Casting predictions since June and a bit has changed since then. As we’re past the Venice/Telluride/Toronto film festivals and on... Read More
Tonatiuh (‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’) to Receive MVFF Award at 48th Mill Valley Film Festival
The Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF48) will present a Spotlight Program honoring Tonatiuh, recipient of a 2025 MVFF Award, for his transformative artistry in Bill Condon’s Kiss... Read More
2026 Oscar Predictions: SUPPORTING ACTRESS (September)
If you’re seeing double, don’t worry. If you’re seeing double, don’t worry. This month feature no less than three films with at least two supporting... Read More
13th Middleburg Film Festival: ‘Jay Kelly’ to Open, ‘Hamnet’ is Centerpiece Film, Honorees Announced
13th Middleburg Film Festival: ‘Jay Kelly’ to Open, ‘Hamnet’ is Centerpiece Film, Honorees Announced
Chloé Zhao, Colin Farrell, Rose Byrne, Jafar Panahi, Jay Kelly Ensemble and Casting Directors Among Honorees The Middleburg Film Festival announced today an initial lineup of... Read More
2026 Oscar Predictions: SUPPORTING ACTOR (September)
Is Josh O’Connor about to have a Jessica Chastain moment? Back in 2011, Chastain was exploding onto the scene and had no less than four... Read More
2026 Oscar Predictions: BEST ACTOR (September)
A new month, a new #1. Leonardo DiCaprio moves to the top spot for Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another with a stellar performance... Read More
2027 Oscar Predictions: BEST ACTRESS (May) 
Colman Domingo to Receive Variety Creative Conscience Award at 50th San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival (Frameline50) 
Interview: Ildikó Enyedi on Working with Tony Leung and Léa Seydoux and Her Triptych Storytelling in ‘Silent Friend’