2026 Oscar Predictions: The Awards Alchemist’s First Look at the 98th Academy Awards
Every year, post-Oscar Sunday, I experience a familiar cycle: a brief withdrawal, a period of reflection on what I got right (or wrong) in my... Read More
Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson has been a prominent voice in film coverage and the Oscar race since 2009. He launched his career with his own website, Award Contenders, before joining forces with Clayton Davis at Awards Circuit from 2011 to 2020. After continuing his insightful work at Awards Daily from 2020 to 2024, Mark now contributes to both The Contending and AwardsWatch. His renowned Oscar predictions column, The Awards Alchemist (formerly Good As Gold), has solidified his reputation in the industry. A member of the Critics Choice Association, Mark regularly attends major film festivals, including Telluride, Nantucket, and Middleburg, offering in-depth analysis and predictions throughout awards season.
2025 Oscar Predictions: The Awards Alchemist’s Final Forecast in All 23 Categories – Cannes You Feel the Love Tonight?
“Alchemy is a kind of philosophy: a kind of thinking that leads to a way of understanding” – Marcel Duchamp Alchemy goes beyond the simple... Read More
The Top Ten Breakthrough Performers of 2024: Nell Tiger Free, Joseph Quinn, David Jonsson and More
Welcome to the 16th annual Breakthrough Performers list, where we shine a spotlight on rising actors who are on track to become Hollywood’s next big... Read More
This past weekend, those who enjoy forecasting the Oscar race were finally given some much-needed clarity. For the first time this awards cycle, we have... Read More
2025 Oscar Predictions: The Awards Alchemist Predicts the Nominees in All 23 Categories
For those who eagerly forecast the Oscar race, this is the most thrilling time of the year. Predicting the winners is enjoyable in its own... Read More
2025 Oscar Predictions: The Awards Alchemist’s December Update with Golden Globe Nominations, Critics’ Awards Wins
With December well underway, the race for Best Picture remains wide open. No clear frontrunner has emerged yet, despite several contenders fiercely competing for the... Read More
2025 Oscar Predictions: Introducing ‘The Awards Alchemist’ and a Closer Look at the Animated Feature Oscar Race
As we head into November, the awards season is beginning to heat up. The Gothams have made their announcements, and soon we’ll hear from the... Read More
2025 Oscar Predictions: ‘Good As Gold’ October Update and Middleburg Film Festival Winners
The Middleburg Film Festival has unveiled its Audience Award winners for its twelfth edition. Notably, ten of the last eleven Audience Award recipients (for Narrative... Read More
2024 Middleburg Film Festival Diary Days 3 and 4: Isabella Rossellini Talks ‘Conclave;’ Coffee and Contenders, plus ‘Nightbitch,’ ‘The Room Next Door’
I kicked off day three of the Middleburg Film Festival at one of this year’s most compelling venues: the Conversation with Colman Domingo and Clarence... Read More
2024 Middleburg Film Festival Diary Days 1 and 2: ‘Blitz,’ ‘The Brutalist,’ ‘Memoir of a Snail,’ ‘Better Man’
The Middleburg Film Festival is set against the picturesque backdrop of historic Virginia. The 12th edition of this wonderful event is taking place this weekend... Read More
The Academy Partners with Global Screenwriting Programs for Nicholl Fellowships, The Black List to Serve as Submission Portal 
Director Watch Ep. 91 – ‘Angels in America’ (Mike Nichols, 2003) 
2025 Sonoma International Film Festival Awards: ‘DJ Ahmet,’ ‘Mistress Dispeller,’ ‘Meet the Barbarians’ Among Winners at 28th Wine Country Fest 
HamptonsFilm Announces 2025 Screenwriters Lab, Mentors Include Justin Kuritzkes, Dan Janvey, Rachel Shukert