Spanish Director Óliver Laxe Brings 'Sirât' to the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles, with Spanish director Óliver Laxe's film 'Sirât' drawing significant attention ahead of the event. The Oscars will be hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien. Spain's Second Vice President and Minister of Labor and Social Economy Yolanda Díaz traveled to Los Angeles to attend the ceremony in support of Laxe, according to El País. The Best Picture race is shaping up as a contest between 'One Battle After Another' and 'Sinners', with 'Sirât' also in contention in its category. Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar offered an unambiguous endorsement of Laxe's film ahead of the ceremony.

„It is a masterpiece” (It is a masterpiece) — Pedro Almodóvar via ABC TU DIARIO EN ESPAÑOL

Laxe, who was born in Paris and spent part of his childhood in a village in Galicia, arrived in Los Angeles in a composed frame of mind ahead of the ceremony. Speaking to El País, he said he felt no anxiety about the outcome, explaining that he had no expectation of collecting an award. He also reflected on the experience of seeing Hollywood from the inside, offering a candid observation about the industry.

„I'm not nervous because I know I'm not going to go out to collect an award” (I'm not nervous because I know I'm not going to go out to collect an award) — Óliver Laxe via El País

„Cuando ves Hollywood por dentro, ves que hay bastante verdad” (When you see Hollywood from the inside, you see that there is quite a bit of truth) — Óliver Laxe via La Razón

Laxe also addressed his relationship with the Spanish film industry in remarks published by El Mundo, describing a pattern in which recognition at home has depended on validation from abroad. The director, who has built his career with productions that have circulated internationally, framed the situation as a structural reality rather than a personal grievance.

„Unfortunately I have always had to legitimize myself outside of Spain” (Unfortunately I have always had to legitimize myself outside of Spain) — Óliver Laxe via El Mundo

The Academy Awards have been held annually since 1929, making the 2026 edition the 98th ceremony. Spain has a long history of participation at the Oscars, with Pedro Almodóvar being the country's most internationally recognized filmmaker in recent decades. Óliver Laxe is a Spanish director born in Paris who grew up partly in rural Galicia, and whose previous films have circulated on the international festival circuit. The 2026 ceremony continues a tradition of the Best International Feature Film category serving as a platform for non-English-language cinema from around the world.

The attendance of Yolanda Díaz, who serves as Spain's Second Vice President and heads the Sumar movement, underscored the political visibility that Laxe's nomination has generated in Spain. Her presence in Los Angeles represents an unusual step for a senior government official attending a film awards ceremony in a personal support capacity, according to El País. The film 'Sirât' has attracted attention not only for its cinematic qualities but also for the music featured in it, which has been noted as a distinct element in the broader awards conversation, as reported by ABC. With the ceremony set to begin on the evening of March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles, the outcome of the Best Picture race between 'One Battle After Another' and 'Sinners' remains to be decided, as does the fate of Laxe's entry in its respective category.