'One Battle' Dominates! Will It Sweep the Dorian Awards?

The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, or GALECA as they're known, has just announced their nominations for the 2026 Dorian Film Awards, and the buzz is already building. These awards, as always, celebrate the best in both mainstream and LGBTQ-themed cinema, and this year's list is a fascinating mix of established stars and emerging talent. It's always interesting to see which films resonate most with this particular group of critics, and the frontrunner this year is definitely catching attention.

'One Battle' Dominates! Will It Sweep the Dorian A...

Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" is leading the pack with a whopping nine nominations. Given Anderson's track record, it's not entirely surprising, though nine nominations is still a pretty impressive haul. Close on its heels is Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" with eight nominations, signaling a strong showing for this film as well. Josh Safdie's "Marty Supreme" rounds out the top contenders with a solid five nominations. It seems like the critics really responded to these three films in particular.

What's really intriguing is the gender-neutral acting categories. It feels like everyone's getting a nod! For Film Performance of the Year, we have a diverse and incredibly talented group vying for the prize. Timothée Chalamet ("Marty Supreme"), Leonardo DiCaprio and Rose Byrne (both for "One Battle After Another"), Ethan Hawke ("Blue Moon"), Michael B. Jordan ("Sinners"), and Tessa Thompson ("Hedda") are all in the running. That's a seriously competitive field! You can see the range of performances GALECA is recognizing this year.

The Best Supporting Performance category is equally compelling, with Jacob Elordi ("Frankenstein"), Wunmi Mosaku ("Sinners"), and Teyana Taylor ("One Battle After Another") all nominated. And keep an eye on the Rising Star of the Year award – Odessa A’zion ("Marty Supreme"), Miles Caton ("Sinners"), and Chase Infiniti ("One Battle After Another") are all names you'll likely be hearing a lot more of in the coming years. These are the future of the industry, and GALECA is spotlighting them early on.

Beyond the film-specific awards, Gregg Araki, Kristen Stewart, and Tessa Thompson are competing for the LGBTQIA+ Film Trailblazer award. These are individuals who have made significant contributions to LGBTQ+ representation in film, both in front of and behind the camera. As GALECA Vice President Gerrick Kennedy so aptly put it, LGBTQ+ filmmakers and performers are telling "bold, personal, and adventurous" stories, often in the face of adversity. The awards are not just about celebrating cinematic achievement, but also about recognizing the cultural impact these stories have.

The recipient of GALECA’s Timeless Star career achievement honor is still under wraps, but we'll find out who it is on Thursday, March 3, along with all the other winners at the 2026 Dorians Film Toast. It's especially exciting that this will be GALECA’s first in-person event in Los Angeles since 2020. After so long without these gatherings, it'll be a great opportunity to celebrate the films and the people who make them happen. Stay tuned for the results!