Sean Penn shows up in Oscars chatter again as a top-grossing star-turned-filmmaker with three wins and fierce public choices. Biog: American actor/director, born 1960.
Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho’s new film, 'The Secret Agent,' set in Recife in 1977, highlights the importance of public funding for diversity in cinema. The film explores themes of memory loss during Brazil’s military dictatorship, with Wagner Moura starring. It is currently playing in Mexico City theaters.
On March 15, 2026, the 98th Academy Awards honored films from 2025. Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for "Sinners," which led with a record 16 nominations. Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" won Best Picture and six Oscars. Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for "Hamnet," and Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history as the first female cinematography Oscar winner. The ceremony featured political moments, including Javier Bardem's pro-Palestinian statement, and introduced a new casting award.
Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket saw betting spikes on Oscar winners before the ceremony, suggesting some gamblers may have had early insights. Shifts in odds occurred for categories including Best Actor and Supporting Actress, with notable changes just hours before the awards.
On March 17-18, 2026, UK Prime Minister Starmer hosted Ukrainian President Zelensky in London to sign a defense partnership focused on countering drone threats. The deal leverages Ukraine's anti-drone expertise from its war with Russia and the UK's industrial capacity. The visit underscores continued Western support for Ukraine despite the Middle East conflict diverting global attention and resources.