AwardsWatch Oscar Podcast #84: Oscar Shortlist predictions with Will Mavity
It’s almost Christmas but the real gift for awards watchers is the Oscars shortlist announcement!
On this 84th podcast, I’m joined by Will Mavity of Next Best Picture to talk about Original Score, Original Song, Makeup and Hairstyling, Visual Effects, Sound, Documentary Feature and International Feature Film and who we think is getting in when the official list comes in on December 21.
Throughout the podcast we highlight how categories like Original Score and Song often nominate well known names and the challenges of being a new name here as well as break down one of the most competitive – and most Eurocentric – International Feature Film competition in years.
Support for this podcast and the following message comes from MGM Studios’ and United Artists Releasing’s LICORICE PIZZA – a film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. LICORICE PIZZA tells the story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around, and falling in love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973. Named Best Film of 2021 by the National Board of Review, and nominated for eight Critics Choice Awards including Best Picture. Now playing in select theaters in seventy millimeter. Everywhere Christmas day. For Your Consideration in all categories including Best Picture of the Year.
This podcast runs 1h 7m with music.
- Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ): ‘One Battle After Another,’ ‘Hamnet’ Lead - December 22, 2025
- North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) Nominations - December 22, 2025
- Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) Awards: ‘One Battle After Another’ Named Best Film - December 21, 2025

Director Watch Podcast Ep. 131 – ‘High Life’ (Claire Denis, 2019)
Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ): ‘One Battle After Another,’ ‘Hamnet’ Lead
North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) Nominations
Interview: ‘Marty Supreme’ Casting Director Jennifer Venditti on Finding 1950s Faces and the Magic of Collaborating with Josh Safdie