SAN FRANCISCO — As the 98th Academy Awards near, mention of the Bay Area’s influence being folded into films is making many conversations. Whether a Bay Area native or a current resident, there’s no denying this was a banner year for Bay Area talent.
From the Bay Area to “Bugonia,” work featuring San Francisco’s own Alicia Silverstone on the big screen received several Oscars nods. Four total nominations for the dark comedy film signal big success.
RELATED: See the full list of nominees for the 2026 Oscars
The film “Sinners” received a record 16 Oscar nominations, with so much of the celebration centered right here in the Bay Area.
“Sinners” Director and Oakland native, Ryan Coogler, is up for Best Director.
“I come from a community that loves me, that spoke a lot of power into me, a lot of pride into me,” Coogler said, as he accepted the BAFTA Award for Original Screenplay just last month. “I love them back. They made me believe that I could do this. That I could be a writer.”
February’s win was just another historic accomplishment for the film’s team. It made the vampire thriller the “most-decorated movie from a Black director” in BAFTA history.
Back home, and ahead of his own movie release at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater, Bay Area basketball icon Steph Curry weighed in on Coogler’s craft, creativity and love of community.
“I got to see ‘Sinners’ here, when it first came out,” Curry told ABC7 Eyewitness News. “When Ryan Coogler came back to show it. So, it’s just crazy that my movie now is being played here.”
Also behind the “Sinners'” success is Autumn Durald Arkapaw, up for Best Cinematography.
The first woman of color nominated in this category, Arkapaw grew up in San Leandro and Danville before moving to Los Angeles.
There is no shortage of East Bay talent. Of “Sinners'” 16 Oscar nominations, the nod for Best Original Song goes to music from Oakland native Raphael Saadiq. Oakland resident Delroy Lindo is tapped for Best Supporting Actor.
Come Oscars Sunday, among the magic, the madness, the glitz, glam and grandiose of Hollywood – the recognition of home.
Arkapaw told ABC7 Eyewitness News that most of her family still resides in the Bay Area.
Both “Sinners” and Bugonia are up for Best Picture.
For those looking for something a little more family-friendly, our friends at Pixar and Disney Animation Studios talk about their Oscar-nominated, animated films – “Elio” and “Zootopia 2.” The directors and producers also told ABC7 Eyewitness News about the Bay Area themes folded into their films. For that coverage, click here.
March 15 is Oscar Sunday! Watch the 2026 Oscars live on ABC and Hulu.
Live red carpet coverage starts at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT with “On The Red Carpet at the Oscars.”
Catch all the action on the red carpet live on ABC, or stream on Hulu and OnTheRedCarpet.com.
The 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. and will be followed by “The Bachelorette: Before the First Rose.”
For more stories and videos about the 98th Academy Awards, click here.
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