Armenian-American producer Sev Ohanian has made Academy Awards history after earning a Best Picture Oscar nomination as a producer of “Sinners,” while the film itself shattered records by becoming the most-nominated film of all time with 16 Oscar nominations. The milestone makes Ohanian the first Armenian-American ever nominated for Best Picture, marking a defining moment for Armenian representation in global cinema ahead of the 2026 Academy Awards on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
This was first reported by the Armenian Film Society.
Ohanian’s nomination represents a landmark achievement, making him not only the first Armenian-American ever nominated for Best Picture, but also just the second Armenian overall to receive a nomination in the category. The only other Armenian to achieve this distinction was British-Armenian producer Tanya Seghatchian, who was nominated in 2022 for “The Power of the Dog.”
At the same time, “Sinners” has made Academy Awards history, surpassing the long-standing record of 14 nominations previously held by “All About Eve,” “Titanic,” and “La La Land.” The film earned nominations across nearly every eligible category, including Best Picture, Best Director (Ryan Coogler), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Michael B. Jordan), Best Supporting Actor (Delroy Lindo), Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku), Best Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler), Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson), Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Siân Richards and Shunika Terry-Jennings), Best Casting, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Original Song (“I Lied To You”), Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects.
Produced by Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler, and Zinzi Coogler, “Sinners” has also achieved major commercial success, grossing approximately $368 million worldwide, while earning widespread recognition across the awards season, underscoring its cultural reach and industry impact. The Armenian Film Society, in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures and Gold House, hosted the film’s Los Angeles IMAX premiere in April 2025.
The Oscar recognition builds on the film’s strong awards-season momentum. Earlier this month, “Sinners” won the Golden Globe for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, recognizing its exceptional global box office performance and audience support. At the same Golden Globe ceremony, the film also won Best Original Score, with composer Ludwig Göransson taking home the award.
The moment follows a broader breakthrough year for Armenian representation in global cinema. At the 97th Academy Awards in March 2025, Sean Baker’s “ANORA” made history as the first film featuring Armenian dialogue to win Academy Awards, ultimately securing five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing. The film featured Armenian actors Karren Karagulian and Vache Tovmasyan, marking a major milestone for Armenian visibility on Hollywood’s biggest stage.
With “Sinners” now entering the 2026 Oscars as the most-nominated film in Academy Awards history, Sev Ohanian stands at the center of a historic moment for Armenian achievement in global cinema.
