FINAL Oscar Predictions from the Gold Rush Gang: The Bird vs. The Boy
In the Shorts categories, Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1 has the most support with the Gold Rush Gang. I was there too until I thought Joanna, about a dying woman trying to contact her son after a cancer diagnosis, just felt like the kind of heart-tugger AMPAS likes in its documentary short films. In Live Action, the favorite is The Phone Call, starring Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine) and Oscar winner Jim Broadbent (Iris). It’s obviously the most widely known and seen and that could be enough to put it over the top. I’m watching out for BAFTA winner Boogaloo and Graham though. There’s also Student Academy Award winner Parvenah, not to be counted out. In Animated, it often seems to come down to a battle between Disney and whomever else is nominated and we’re seeing that here with Feast (Disney) and well, everything else. Feast is the best looking of the shorts and the name recognition could take it all the way but these awards don’t always skew to the most popular so we’re keeping an eye on The Dam Keeper.
Well, we hope these predictions set you on the path to winning your Oscar pool and definitely check back here on Oscar Night, Sunday the 22nd to see where were right and where we screwed up. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter that night for live-tweet results and reactions (and probably a little bit of red carpet shade) and tell us who you think will win in the comments section.
- Frontrunner Friday Oscar Predictions: We Need to Talk About ‘Marty’ - January 30, 2026
- 2026 Sundance Film Festival: ‘Josephine’ Wins Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award - January 30, 2026
- Midnight Critics Circle (MCC) Awards: ‘Marty Supreme’ Wins Best Picture - January 28, 2026




Frontrunner Friday Oscar Predictions: We Need to Talk About ‘Marty’
2026 Sundance Film Festival: ‘Josephine’ Wins Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 137 – ‘Je Tu Il Elle’ (Chantal Akerman, 1974)
Midnight Critics Circle (MCC) Awards: ‘Marty Supreme’ Wins Best Picture