By DeVonne Goode
Sunday, March 15, was Oscars night. As the 98th Academy Awards ceremony took place in Hollywood, the Queen City was hosting its own Oscars celebration and fundraiser here at The Independent Picture House. Though I’ve lived in Charlotte for nine years, it was my first time attending the annual watch party at Charlotte’s only nonprofit cinema. And as a lifelong film-lover, I was buzzing with excitement hours before I got dressed and made my way to Raleigh Street.
This year’s Academy Award nominees consisted of the usual mix of contenders across categories, from behemoths and underdogs to outright eyebrow-raisers. The general consensus was that the coveted Best Picture winner would be a toss-up between Ryan Coogler’s SINNERS (my personal favorite) and Paul Thomas Anderson’s ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. I’d discussed with friends who I thought would win and who I hoped would win. But I’d never been to a film celebration like this, where every nominee’s name existed in every breath of conversation. That’s what I noticed first when I arrived at the theater. After the cool red-carpet welcome, that is. I entered to see the other attendees adorned in a mix of couture and casual attire, enjoying an eclectic assortment of movie-themed appetizers.
Making my way around IPH to take in the scene, I was delighted to observe and meet many local filmmakers and creatives. Whether they were chatting about their own work, deliberating about the awards nominees or taking in the items in the silent auction, they amped up the night with Charlotte cinematic energy.
After grabbing last-minute snacks and drinks, we made our way into the auditorium to watch the Oscars on the big screen. Yes, the ceremony is usually long (averaging three hours), and this one was no different. But if you are a film lover and watch the Oscars every year anyway, I highly recommend viewing it this way.
The ceremony began with a hilarious opener by host Conan O’Brien, in which he dressed as the villain from Zach Cregger’s WEAPONS and ran through scenes in 2025’s biggest films. The IPH audience seemed to love it, laughing and applauding throughout. Speaking of WEAPONS, it drew the first award and the first surprise out of the gate, with Amy Madigan’s Best Supporting Actress win. I loved that movie and was glad to see both Madigan and a horror film get recognized by the academy.
Other highlights for me included Ryan Coogler winning Best Original Screenplay for SINNERS, Michael B. Jordan winning Best Actor for his dual roles in that film, KPOP DEMON HUNTERS winning Best Original Song and Autumn Durald Arkapaw becoming the first woman to win Best Cinematography for her work on SINNERS.
You can see the full list of nominees and winners here.
While I’m sure folks were having fun in Hollywood, the vibes in IPH were high as well. During the commercial breaks, we were treated to live interviews with local filmmakers. Many discussed how they got their start and why they chose to grow their careers in Charlotte. It was eye-opening for me not only to be introduced to these creatives, but to also hear their stories and be inspired by how supportive the community is.
Attendees were locked in on every award throughout the night at least partly because they had the opportunity to fill out ballots predicting the winners. With each envelope opened on screen, an additional round of cheers or boos would go with it. I groaned and threw my hands up in disappointment at some results, and I fist-pumped and high-fived those around me at others. It was a fun “March Madness” addition to the night.
By night’s end, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER came away with the most wins, including Best Picture. While enthusiasm in the room was split, it felt like time well-spent by all. I overheard a few folks rehashing some of their highlights and surprises, along with slipping in some high-level prognostications for the 99th Academy Awards.
As I made my way out into the rainy Charlotte night, I logged the evening as a forever memory – not just as a lover of film, but as someone who has a new appreciation for our local film community. IPH is a valuable piece of the picture in this city. And I hope the support only continues to grow so that more local people can see and make films, and more annual celebrations like these can happen. I know one thing: By the time the credits roll on next year’s watch party, I’ll happily recognize a few more names.
You can still catch some Academy Award winners and nominees on the big screen! Check out the schedule and buy tickets here.