On Monday, Deadline unveiled a dynamic new streaming platform featuring engaging panel discussions from the recent Contenders London event. This festival marks the beginning of the film awards season, showcasing a diverse range of creative minds and acclaimed craftspeople who are behind some of the year’s most highly anticipated films. This inaugural conference, held at the glamorous Ham Yard Hotel, served as a key precursor to the Oscars, presenting films and talents set to dominate awards conversations.
Among the many illustrious figures gracing the panels, Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña captured attention as they joined Karla Sofía Gascón, Adriana Paz, and the esteemed writer-director Jacques Audiard to discuss their much-lauded crime-musical, *Emilia Pérez*. Selected as France’s entry for the Oscar International Feature Film category, this film has already garnered accolades, with all four lead actresses collectively awarded Best Actress at Cannes. Their presence underscored the film’s potential impact on the awards landscape.
Excitement continued as Denis Villeneuve led discussions surrounding *Dune: Part Two*, a sequel poised to make significant waves come awards time. Joined by producers Mary Parent and Tanya Lapointe, Villeneuve reflected on the monumental success of the film and its ambitious vision. The significance of *The Piano Lesson*, a debut feature by Malcolm Washington, was palpable during a discussion with his brother, John David Washington. Accompanied by actress Danielle Deadwyler and celebrated composer Alexandre Desplat, this session dove deep into themes of generational legacy and familial connection, promising to resonate with viewers on multiple levels.
Mike Leigh’s new work, *Hard Truths*, also featured prominently, with the director alongside actors Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin exploring the fabric of family tensions depicted in the film. Meanwhile, beloved British characters Wallace & Gromit returned to the spotlight. Filmmaker Nick Park, alongside co-director Merlin Crossingham and executive producer Carla Shelley, discussed the quirky and entertaining *Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl*, reaffirming the cultural significance of these characters in family cinema.
In a heartwarming segment, Chris Sanders poured his creativity into discussing *The Wild Robot*, a film about a robot’s journey of self-discovery in the natural world, underscoring profound lessons on empathy and acceptance. Featuring voice talent from Lupita Nyong’o, who joined Sanders on stage with composer Kris Bowers, this panel highlighted the increasing relevance of animated stories that resonate on emotional and social levels.
This year’s Contenders London attracted significant participation from major studios, including Warner Bros, Netflix, BBC, and DreamWorks, signaling a collaborative environment where innovation thrives. As the curtain fell on this inaugural event, anticipation builds for Contenders Los Angeles, slated for November 16, promising another round of inspiring conversations and insights into the cinematic landscape as the award season progresses.