The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is set to take place on the evening of 15/3 local time (morning of 16/3 Hanoi time) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Hollywood Reporter indicates that security measures, previously applied at past Oscar ceremonies, are now implemented on a larger and stricter scale.

Industry experts attribute the heightened security to the US and Israel's offensive campaign against Iran. This conflict has resulted in an estimated 2,000 fatalities, including over 1,200 in Iran and more than 700 in Lebanon. In recent weeks, federal authorities issued warnings about potential retaliatory actions targeting the West Bank, particularly California. While no intelligence has confirmed specific plots, officials are increasing preventive measures for iconic major events like the Oscars.

Technical staff install Oscar statues outside the Dolby Theatre ahead of the 98th Academy Awards ceremony on 14/3. *Photo: AFP*

Before the awards ceremony, technical teams completed the installation of the stage, Oscar statues, and red carpet systems at the Dolby Theatre, located within the Ovation Hollywood complex. The entire shopping area surrounding the venue will be closed throughout the event week for lockdown and access control.

Along Hollywood Boulevard, metal barriers and barricades are erected to manage traffic and establish dedicated control lanes for guest vehicles. Patrol cars are positioned at many intersections, and checkpoints are set up along the route leading to the theatre. Vehicles and attendees must pass through multiple layers of inspection before entering the red carpet area. Limousines and SUVs will move slowly at the event, stopping at each security checkpoint.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), over 1,000 personnel are deployed around the event area. Security forces will instruct drivers to lower their windows and open trunks for vehicle inspections. Under-car mirrors and K9 units are used to detect explosives.

On nearby buildings, SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) teams observe from above. Police also deploy bomb disposal units and snipers to enhance emergency response capabilities. The protected zone around the Dolby Theatre is established with multiple "security rings" extending approximately one mile (1,6 km).

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is coordinating to ensure the event's safety. The agency's counter-terrorism task force monitors social media platforms and analyzes real-time intelligence data to detect early signs of conflict.

In addition to security personnel, modern surveillance technology is in use. Many camera systems with integrated artificial intelligence can analyze crowd behavior, detect unusual movements, or identify individuals on watchlists. On Hollywood Reporter, Ryan Schonfeld, CEO of the AI security platform HiveWatch, stated that combining police, barricades, and checkpoints with high-tech surveillance tools increases the effectiveness of risk prevention.

Organizers are working closely with the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department to ensure the program proceeds as planned and to create a safe environment for guests, audiences, and fans outside the barricaded area.

However, experts note that large gatherings still pose unpredictable risks. Schonfeld stated that organizers currently face many complex behaviors, as cyberattacks can occur simultaneously with isolated acts of violence at the event venue. "These two factors significantly increase the threat level, and that situation will not likely end soon," he said.

Excerpt from the trailer for "Sinners", the leading nominee at the Oscar 2026. *Video: Warner Bros. Vietnam*

The Oscars, the annual awards presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is one of the world's most renowned and prestigious film events. The 98th ceremony will be held on 15/3 at the Dolby Theatre in California, US, broadcast live on ABC in over 200 countries and territories. Comedian Conan O'Brien returns to host for the second time.

This year, "Sinners", a vampire film starring Michael B. Jordan, set a record with 16 nominations, including best picture. Following closely behind "Sinners" is "One Battle After Another", which received 13 nominations. Both compete in the best picture category alongside "Frankenstein", "Bugonia", "Hamnet", "Marty Supreme", "Sentimental Value", "Train Dreams", "F1", and "The Secret Agent".

Two of the five nominees for best original song will perform live at this year's ceremony: "Golden" (from the film "K-pop Demon Hunters") and "I Lied to You" (from the film "Sinners"). The four actors who won awards last year — Mikey Madison, Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, and Zoe Saldaña — return to present acting awards, joined by artists Will Arnett, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Hathaway, Paul Mescal, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

This year's awards season occurs as the film industry struggles with a wave of restructuring and mergers, with the latest deal being Paramount Skydance's attempt to acquire all of Warner Bros. Discovery after Netflix declined to increase its buyout offer. Box office revenue has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, and new technologies like artificial intelligence are predicted to lead to job cuts.

Cat Tien (according to Hollywood Reporter, Variety)