Beverly Hills was abuzz on March 14 evening as stars descended on the Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel for the 17th annual pre-Oscar dinner co-hosted by luxury fashion house Chanel and producer Charles Finch. The event has become a hallmark of Oscar weekend, blending high fashion, cinematic talent and intimate networking in one storied venue.
Oscar nominees and winners, filmmakers, and industry heavyweights filled the patio, exchanging congratulations, toasts and ideas ahead of Sunday’s ceremony. Jessie Buckley, widely tipped for Best Actress, described the atmosphere as “intimate, almost like a prelude to tomorrow,” while wearing a Matthieu Blazy creation adorned with dragonflies.
Maggie Kang, co-director of the animated musical KPop Demon Hunters, shared her excitement ahead of her film’s expected recognition in the Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song categories. “Watching the rehearsal brought tears to my eyes,” she said, calling the live performance of Golden “a cultural moment in the making.”
Among the notable attendees were Teyana Taylor, Mick Jagger, Kristen Stewart, Wagner Moura, Nicole Kidman, Sigourney Weaver, Nick Cave and Sarah Pidgeon, all mingling under the soft glow of the Beverly Hills night. Conversations flowed from film strategies to collaborative projects, while glasses of champagne passed from hand to hand.
Chanel’s influence on cinema has deep roots. Since Gabrielle Chanel’s first Hollywood visit in 1931, the fashion house has collaborated with film luminaries across generations, from Gloria Swanson to Jeanne Moreau, and continues to champion both emerging talent and film restoration projects today. Stewart, reflecting on Chanel’s ongoing support, noted, “They see storytellers from a young age and nurture that creativity. It feels authentic and sustaining.”
Finch, who began hosting Oscar-season gatherings around three decades ago, praised the event’s international character. “Cinema is a universal language,” he said. “Tonight celebrates not just the films, but the artisans, directors and storytellers who bring these stories to life.”
