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Coogler: Judging Oscars is 'stressful'
12 Dec
Summary
- Coogler declined Academy invite due to judging stress.
- He prefers behind-the-scenes movie creation.
- His film 'Sinners' is a projected 2026 Oscar contender.

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler recently clarified that his 2016 decision to decline an invitation to join the Academy was not driven by animosity. He stated that the act of judging films, even without stakes, causes him significant stress.
Coogler expressed a preference for the hands-on, "blue-collar" aspects of filmmaking, contrasting it with the perceived glamour of the entertainment industry. He believes his focus should remain on the collaborative process of storytelling rather than evaluating others' work.
Meanwhile, Coogler's film 'Sinners' is generating considerable buzz for the 2026 Academy Awards. Projections suggest it could secure numerous nominations, including for Best Director, Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Original Screenplay.




