While the acting and directing categories tend to dominate awards season headlines, the craft categories are where some of the most exciting races are taking shape this year. Costume design and production design, in particular, are shaping up to deliver fiercely competitive fields that showcase the extraordinary talent working behind the camera.
Period Films Lead the Way
As is often the case, period films are well-represented in both categories. A lavish adaptation of an Edith Wharton novel set in Gilded Age New York features costumes by Sandy Powell that have already been praised for their exquisite attention to historical detail. Meanwhile, a World War II drama set in occupied Paris boasts production design that meticulously recreates wartime France down to the smallest prop.
But period accuracy is only part of the equation. The best craft work elevates storytelling, using visual choices to reveal character and theme. This year, several films demonstrate that principle beautifully.
Fantasy and Science Fiction Make Their Mark
Genre films have increasingly earned recognition in craft categories, and this year is no different. A visually stunning fantasy epic set in a mythological version of ancient China features production design that blends practical sets with seamless digital extensions, creating environments that feel both otherworldly and tangible.
In the costume design arena, a science fiction film set two centuries in the future has earned attention for its inventive approach to imagining how fashion might evolve. The designer drew inspiration from contemporary haute couture and architectural movements to create a wardrobe that feels plausible and visually striking.
The Underdogs to Watch
Every year, a few smaller films punch above their weight in craft categories. This season, a low-budget independent film set in 1960s rural Mississippi has earned outsized praise for its production design, which transforms modest locations into a vivid portrait of a specific time and place. Similarly, a character-driven drama set in contemporary Mumbai features costumes that subtly communicate class dynamics and personal aspirations without ever calling attention to themselves.
As nominations approach, these craft races promise some of the most interesting storylines of the entire season.
