Deadline has revealed the star-studded lineup for its 2025 Contenders Film: Los Angeles event, set for November 15, featuring talent from 13 films across nine studios and streamers. Highlights include panels on upcoming awards contenders like Christy and Sinners, plus specialized discussions on casting and stunts as new Oscar categories. Guillermo del Toro will receive the inaugural Contenders Hall of Fame Award.
Event Overview
Deadline's Contenders Film: Los Angeles is an exclusive showcase for voting guild members during awards season, taking place on Saturday, November 15, 2025. The in-person-only event will feature panel discussions with stars and creatives from 13 buzzy films, breaking down their creative journeys. Confirmed attendees include Sydney Sweeney and Ethan Hawke, among others, representing a diverse slate from major studios and independents.
Highlighted Films and Panels
The lineup spans genres and origins. From Black Bear, Sydney Sweeney and producer Kerry Kohansky-Roberts will discuss the true-story boxing drama Christy. Amazon MGM Studios brings Hedda with director Nia DaCosta, star Tessa Thompson, and production designer Cara Brower, alongside After the Hunt from Luca Guadagnino, featuring producer Allan Mandelbaum, DP Malik Hassan Sayeed, and casting director Jessica Ronane.
Warner Bros' Sinners will have writer-director Ryan Coogler in attendance, while 20th Century Studios' Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere includes writer-director Scott Cooper and producers Ellen Goldsmith-Vein. Apple Original Films' F1 panel is in development. Sony Pictures Classics offers Eleanor the Great with June Squibb and Tory Kamen, Blue Moon with Ethan Hawke, and Nuremberg with Rami Malek and James Vanderbilt.
Neon presents Sentimental Value with director Joachim Trier and stars Elle Fanning, Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, and Inga Ibsdotter Lileas, plus No Other Choice with director Park Chan-wook and star Lee Byung-hun. Additional films include Homebound from Dharma Productions and Dragon Heart: Adventures Beyond This World from HS Pictures Studios.
Special Features
New this year are dedicated panels on casting, a prospective Oscar category starting in 2026, and stunts, debuting in 2028. Longtime attendee Guillermo del Toro will be honored with the first Contenders Hall of Fame Award. The event is supported by partners including United for Business and Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.