The 2026 Oscars gala has once again demonstrated that cinema and politics maintain a close relationship. Although the ceremony was less combative than in other recent editions, international current affairs, the symbols of the conflict in the Middle East, and speeches about the direction of the film industry crept into several moments of the night.
Among the most visible gestures, that of Spanish actor Javier Bardem stood out, as he appeared with a pin with the slogan “No to war”, recovering the symbol he already used in Spain during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Already from the stage, he defended the need for a ceasefire and criticized what he described as an “illegal war”, in reference to the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
The gesture joined other symbolic stances on the red carpet, where several film professionals wore pins from the movement Artists4Ceasefire, which calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Oliver Laxe displays a watermelon, symbol of support for Palestine
One of the most commented gestures of the night was that of the also Spanish Oliver Laxe. The director of Sirat attended the ceremony with a pin of a watermelon on the lapel of his suit, a symbol that has become popular as a sign of support for Palestine.
The choice of the filmmaker was interpreted as a subtle political gesture at a gala that, despite the presence of symbols and references, largely avoided openly confrontational speeches.
Trump and the MAGA movement, target of the gala's humor
U.S. politics was also present through humor. The ceremony's host, Conan O’Brien, included in his opening monologue several satirical references to the MAGA movement, linked to former U.S. president Donald Trump.
To these jokes were added interventions by presenter Jimmy Kimmel, who launched ironies directed at Trump and his entourage during the delivery of some awards, especially in the documentary category.
Speeches with political content around the nominated films
The political dimension of the gala also appeared in the speeches linked to several nominated films.
One of the most commented moments was that of the lead actor of “The Sinners”, who took advantage of his speech to remind that cinema can serve to denounce injustices and give voice to those who do not have it, highlighting the cultural and social role of the film industry.
For his part, the director Paul Thomas Anderson, whose film was the big winner of the night, championed during the gala the role of new generations of filmmakers. Anderson stated that cinema is entering a stage marked by “a better, more conscious, and braver generation”, capable of addressing the great political and social debates of its time.
Documentaries and international conflicts in the awards list
Politics was also reflected in the awarded content. The Oscar for best documentary went to Mr. Nobody Against Putin, a production focused on Russian authoritarianism and the consequences of the war in Ukraine.
In the short documentary category, the award winners recalled in their speech that gun violence has become one of the main causes of death among minors in the United States, turning their intervention into a political call for gun control.
A gala less militant than in previous years
Despite these moments, the 2026 edition has been considered by many analysts as a less politicized ceremony than other recent ones, in which protest speeches had had greater prominence.
On this occasion, Hollywood opted for a more symbolic than combative tone, with gestures and specific references in the speeches.
Even so, the gala once again confirmed that the Oscars continue to be a global showcase where cinema, politics, and international debates inevitably intertwine.