Stars Pack the Polo Lounge for Chanel and Charles Finch's 17th Pre-Oscar Dinner

The annual event mixes Hollywood buzz with a pitch for supporting filmmakers.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 8:37am

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Chanel and producer Charles Finch hosted their 17th annual pre-Oscar dinner at the iconic Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills, drawing a star-studded crowd of Oscar nominees, winners, filmmakers, and celebrities. The intimate gathering provided a prelude to the main event, with attendees like Teyana Taylor, Mick Jagger, Kristen Stewart, and Wagner Moura mingling and celebrating the art of storytelling in cinema.

Why it matters

Chanel's long history of supporting cinema, from dressing Hollywood stars in the 1930s to collaborating with French New Wave filmmakers and independent directors today, underscores the brand's commitment to the art of filmmaking. The pre-Oscar dinner provides a platform for Chanel and producer Charles Finch to champion storytellers and the universal language of cinema.

The details

The patio of the Polo Lounge was packed with a who's who of the film industry, including Oscar nominees like Jessie Buckley, who is the favorite to win best actress, and Maggie Kang, the co-director of the animated musical 'KPop Demon Hunters.' Billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos were spotted chatting with Sigourney Weaver and Jessica Alba, while Stellan Skarsgård engaged in deep conversation with Nick Cave. Kristen Stewart posed for a photo with Teyana Taylor, and Nicole Kidman reconnected with her 'Bridesmaids' co-star Maya Rudolph.

  • The 17th annual pre-Oscar dinner took place on the Saturday night before the Oscars ceremony.

The players

Chanel

A French fashion house that has a long history of supporting cinema, from dressing Hollywood stars in the 1930s to collaborating with French New Wave filmmakers and independent directors today.

Charles Finch

A film producer who has been hosting pre-Oscar parties for around 30 years, originally to provide a gathering place for international filmmakers who didn't have anywhere else to go.

Jessie Buckley

An actress who is the favorite to win the best actress Oscar on Sunday.

Maggie Kang

The co-director of the animated musical 'KPop Demon Hunters,' which is expected to win best animated feature and best original song at the Oscars.

Jeff Bezos

The billionaire founder of Amazon.

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What they’re saying

“It's like a prelude to tomorrow, right?”

— Jessie Buckley

“It's epic. It's a lot of drama. I had tears just watching the rehearsal. It was really amazing. It's going to be a big cultural moment.”

— Maggie Kang, Co-director of 'KPop Demon Hunters'

“Functioning in like, you know, this sort of industry, business, Hollywood slash fashion world as a kiddo is a bizarro, and with them it's always felt incredibly authentic and sort of from a storyteller's perspective, and so it doesn't surprise me that they want to support storytellers.”

— Kristen Stewart

“Being on a film set reminds you that cinema is a universal language. On the film I'm working on now, the crew includes British, American, French, and Portuguese artisans — all united by one goal: to bring a story to life. That spirit is what tonight is about — and how this dinner originated: celebrating cinema, storytelling, and the storytellers who make the magic happen.”

— Charles Finch, Film Producer

What’s next

The Oscars ceremony will take place the following day, where several of the attendees, including Jessie Buckley and the team behind 'KPop Demon Hunters,' are expected to be recognized for their achievements.

The takeaway

Chanel's long-standing support for the film industry, from dressing Hollywood stars to championing independent filmmakers, underscores the brand's commitment to the art of storytelling. The pre-Oscar dinner provides a platform for Chanel and producer Charles Finch to celebrate the universal language of cinema and the talented individuals who bring stories to life on the silver screen.