**'One Battle' SHOCKS Awards! Did Your Favorite Film Win?!**

Awards season is officially in full swing, and the Set Decorators Society of America (SDSA) has weighed in, handing out its coveted prizes for 2025. Let me tell you, the choices offered some serious insights into which films are hitting all the right aesthetic notes this year. The big winner of the night? Paul Thomas Anderson's *One Battle After Another*, a film that's already generating significant Oscar buzz.

**'One Battle' SHOCKS Awards! Did Your Favorite Fi...

*One Battle After Another*, a sweeping action epic starring Leonardo DiCaprio, snagged the top prize: Best Picture. But the film's success didn't stop there. The team, led by set decorator Anthony Carlino and production designer Florencia Martin, also took home the award for Best Achievement In Décor/Design of a Contemporary Feature Film. This double win really underscores the impact the film's visual language is having on audiences and critics alike. It’s always fascinating to see how much set decoration can truly elevate a film beyond just its narrative.

While *One Battle After Another* dominated the contemporary category, other films also enjoyed the SDSA spotlight. Focus Features' *Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale* secured the award for Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Period Feature Film, proving the enduring appeal of meticulously crafted historical settings. The craftsmanship involved in period pieces always impresses me; the level of detail is simply astounding.

Guillermo del Toro's *Frankenstein*, a Netflix offering starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, won Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Fantasy or Science Fiction Film. Given del Toro's reputation for visual storytelling, this win comes as no surprise. I’m personally very excited to see what Shane Vieau (set decorator) and Tamara Deverell (production designer) brought to this reimagining of the classic tale. Rounding out the winners was *Wicked: For Good*, the second *Wicked* film, which won the Comedy or Musical Feature Film prize. Nathan Crowley (production designer) and Lee Sandales (set decorator) delivered a vibrant spectacle.

It’s worth noting that last year's SDSA winners included *A Complete Unknown*, *Wicked*, *Conclave*, and *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice*. Interestingly, *Wicked*'s production design team went on to win the Production Design Oscar. Could this be a sign of things to come for this year's winners? Only time will tell. Next up, the Art Directors Guild Awards on February 28th. One thing's for sure: the behind-the-scenes talent is finally getting the recognition they deserve, and I am here for it.