3.51-Author Interview with John DiLeo

3.51-Author Interview with John DiLeo

Author: Jonathan Ytreberg June 24, 2025 Duration: 19:12

Send us Fan Mail

In today's episode, I interview John DiLeo, a film writer whose most recent book Not Even Nominated: 40 Overlooked Costars of Oscar-Winning Performances, was published in 2024.

Listen to hear about the process for picking actors and films for this book, some things the Academy might be able to do to revamp the acting categories at the Oscars, and a movie character dinner party for the ages.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

Follow John on Instagram @john.dileo.12, check out his website at johndileo.com and buy the book on Amazon and check out all his books on his Amazon author page.

Support the show


There's a whole century of stories waiting in the Academy's archives, and The Oscar Project Podcast is digging through every single one. Instead of just focusing on the current awards season, this show takes the long view, working its way through every film ever nominated for an Oscar starting all the way back in 1929. Each episode is a deep dive into a specific year or a particular film, unpacking not just the cinematic craft on screen but the historical context that shaped it. You'll hear about forgotten gems, surprising snubs, and how the art of filmmaking has evolved over decades. Alongside these detailed reviews and discussions, the podcast regularly features conversations with filmmakers, historians, and authors who provide unique insights into the industry's past and present. It’s for anyone who loves film history as much as the movies themselves, offering a structured but fascinating journey through Hollywood's most celebrated-and sometimes controversial-moments. Tune in to this thoughtfully crafted podcast for a richer understanding of how the Oscars have reflected, and sometimes directed, the entire trajectory of modern cinema.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 226

The Oscar Project Podcast
Podcast Episodes
3.27-Filmmaker Interview with John Kelly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:34
Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I interview John Kelly, the director of the short film "Retirement Plan," an animated short that follows a man as he dreams about what he will do in his retirement years. The film won…
3.26-Filmmaker Interview with Paul Kowalski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:30
Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I interview Paul Kowalski, the director of the short film "Sardinia," a dark look at what a world without humor could be like. The film screened at IndieShorts and won the Best Directo…
3.25-Filmmaker Interview with Jonathan Hammond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:23
Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I interview Jonathan Hammond, the director of the short film "Fireflies in the Dusk," a clever genre bending comedy that brings the Victorian Age into the present day with hilarious re…
3.23-Filmmaker Interview with Lucy Davidson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:12
Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I interview Lucy Davidson, the director of the short film "Baggage," a touching look at the weight we all carry with us in our day to day lives.Listen to hear about the inspiration for…
3.22-97th Academy Awards Recap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:25
Send us Fan MailThe 97th Academy Awards are over and today I'm joined by Shawna Carroll from the Notes from Post newsletter to recap everything that happened at last night's ceremony.Listen to hear us talk about the bigg…
3.21-97th Academy Awards Preview-Part 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:44
Send us Fan MailToday is the final episode in my preview of the 97th Academy Awards where I will have broken down every category over the course of this week. Today I am joined by Maria Banson from the Brunello Bombshell…
3.20-97th Academy Awards Preview-Part 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:51
Send us Fan MailToday is the third of a five episode preview of the 97th Academy Awards where I will be breaking down each and every category throughout the week. Today I am joined by Kevin Pettit from the See You at the…