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16 Apr 2025, Wed

Karla Sofía Gascón retracts accusation against Fernanda Torres after Oscar Academy review

Karla Sofia Gascon


The recent controversy involving actresses Karla Sofía Gascón and Fernanda Torres during the 2024 awards season has sparked debates on ethics, responsibility, and the role of social media in the film industry. The case gained widespread attention after Gascón, the lead in Emilia Pérez, claimed that her team had been targeted by defamatory campaigns on social media, allegedly orchestrated by members of competing productions, suggesting that the team behind Ainda Estou Aqui, starring Fernanda Torres, might be involved. However, the Spanish actress later clarified that her statements had been misinterpreted and reaffirmed her respect for Torres. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences investigated the matter and concluded that there was no violation of Oscar publicity rules, a decision that has prompted further reflections on the challenges of film promotion in an increasingly polarized digital landscape.

The dispute unfolded during one of the most competitive awards seasons in recent years, with films of various styles and themes vying for the industry’s highest recognition. Emilia Pérez, starring Karla Sofía Gascón, received widespread acclaim for its unique and innovative approach, while Ainda Estou Aqui, featuring Fernanda Torres, was also praised for its emotional narrative and powerful performances. Amidst the Oscar race, the incident between the two actresses highlighted how awards campaigns can go beyond traditional marketing tactics and turn into social media battlegrounds.

The impact was immediate. Gascón’s initial statement triggered heated online debates, with fans and industry experts weighing in on the ethics of promotional strategies and the influence of social media on shaping or tarnishing reputations. Despite her retraction, the controversy raised fundamental questions about how studios and marketing teams leverage digital platforms to sway opinions and control narratives within the film industry.

The influence of social media on awards season

The incident underscores the growing power of social media in shaping public perceptions and directing campaigns for major awards like the Oscars. Since the rise of platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, film promotion strategies have become increasingly reliant on digital engagement. However, this shift has brought significant challenges, including negative campaigning and targeted online attacks against actors and competing productions.

Studies indicate that around 80% of major award campaigns employ digital strategies to maximize audience reach. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have become battlegrounds where fans, critics, and even industry professionals actively promote or criticize competing films. This dynamic directly impacts box office performance and a movie’s chances of securing prestigious awards, making digital presence a crucial factor in a film’s success.

Ethical challenges in awards campaigns

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences explicitly prohibits any attempt to defame or undermine competing films. However, enforcing these rules is increasingly difficult in the digital age, where negative campaigns can be orchestrated by third parties, including fans and influencers. The Karla Sofía Gascón and Fernanda Torres case exemplifies how allegations of negative campaigning can stir controversy and put the integrity of awards into question.

Key ethical challenges in award campaigns include:

  • Indirect defamation strategies: Negative comments about competitors are often spread by anonymous accounts or influencers with no direct connection to marketing teams.
  • Psychological pressure on artists: Social media can amplify criticism and create a hostile environment, emotionally affecting those involved.
  • Narrative manipulation: Comments and statements can be taken out of context, negatively influencing public and critical perception.
  • Lack of specific regulations: Despite the Academy’s guidelines, the absence of stricter control allows unethical practices to persist.

Similar controversies in Oscar history

The conflict between Gascón and Torres is not the first case of controversy surrounding Oscar campaigns. Over the years, several films have been accused of using questionable tactics to promote their productions and discredit competitors.

  • 1999 – Shakespeare in Love vs. Saving Private Ryan
    Miramax, led by Harvey Weinstein at the time, conducted an aggressive campaign to boost Shakespeare in Love, including subtle attacks on Steven Spielberg’s war film. The result was a surprising victory for the historical romance over Saving Private Ryan, sparking debates about the ethics of marketing strategies.
  • 2010 – The Hurt Locker and the unethical campaign
    The film’s producer, Nicolas Chartier, sent emails asking voters to support his movie while suggesting that Avatar did not deserve the award. As a consequence, the Academy disqualified Chartier from attending the Oscar ceremony.
  • 2018 – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri vs. The Shape of Water
    During awards season, Three Billboards faced a wave of online criticism, with claims that the film promoted problematic messages. Experts believe that part of this backlash may have been fueled by behind-the-scenes campaigns.

Impact on the film industry and future awards seasons

With the growing influence of the digital landscape, the film industry faces unprecedented challenges in regulating award campaigns. The case involving Karla Sofía Gascón and Fernanda Torres serves as a warning about the need for stricter guidelines and mechanisms to ensure fair competition.

To mitigate issues like those seen this season, industry experts suggest:

  1. Stronger Academy oversight on digital campaigns
    Stricter monitoring of suspicious activities could help curb unethical practices.
  2. Public commitment from studios to ethical campaigns
    Official statements promoting fair play could help reduce unnecessary conflicts.
  3. Accountability for misinformation campaigns
    Identifying and penalizing strategies that spread false information could enhance credibility.
  4. Transparency in promotional material distribution
    Making it clear to the public which materials are official and which are external campaigns could help counter misinformation.

The future of Oscar campaigns

As the digitization of awards campaigns continues to expand, the film industry must find a balance between freedom of expression and protection against defamation. The case involving Gascón and Torres highlights the need for reforms and serves as a reminder that, in today’s environment, a single misinterpreted statement can escalate into a major controversy.

The relationship between the two actresses remains amicable, with both reaffirming their mutual respect and condemning online attacks. However, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers and complexities of award campaigns in the modern era. Each year, the line between legitimate promotion and narrative manipulation becomes thinner, demanding more attention and transparency from the industry.



The recent controversy involving actresses Karla Sofía Gascón and Fernanda Torres during the 2024 awards season has sparked debates on ethics, responsibility, and the role of social media in the film industry. The case gained widespread attention after Gascón, the lead in Emilia Pérez, claimed that her team had been targeted by defamatory campaigns on social media, allegedly orchestrated by members of competing productions, suggesting that the team behind Ainda Estou Aqui, starring Fernanda Torres, might be involved. However, the Spanish actress later clarified that her statements had been misinterpreted and reaffirmed her respect for Torres. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences investigated the matter and concluded that there was no violation of Oscar publicity rules, a decision that has prompted further reflections on the challenges of film promotion in an increasingly polarized digital landscape.

The dispute unfolded during one of the most competitive awards seasons in recent years, with films of various styles and themes vying for the industry’s highest recognition. Emilia Pérez, starring Karla Sofía Gascón, received widespread acclaim for its unique and innovative approach, while Ainda Estou Aqui, featuring Fernanda Torres, was also praised for its emotional narrative and powerful performances. Amidst the Oscar race, the incident between the two actresses highlighted how awards campaigns can go beyond traditional marketing tactics and turn into social media battlegrounds.

The impact was immediate. Gascón’s initial statement triggered heated online debates, with fans and industry experts weighing in on the ethics of promotional strategies and the influence of social media on shaping or tarnishing reputations. Despite her retraction, the controversy raised fundamental questions about how studios and marketing teams leverage digital platforms to sway opinions and control narratives within the film industry.

The influence of social media on awards season

The incident underscores the growing power of social media in shaping public perceptions and directing campaigns for major awards like the Oscars. Since the rise of platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, film promotion strategies have become increasingly reliant on digital engagement. However, this shift has brought significant challenges, including negative campaigning and targeted online attacks against actors and competing productions.

Studies indicate that around 80% of major award campaigns employ digital strategies to maximize audience reach. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have become battlegrounds where fans, critics, and even industry professionals actively promote or criticize competing films. This dynamic directly impacts box office performance and a movie’s chances of securing prestigious awards, making digital presence a crucial factor in a film’s success.

Ethical challenges in awards campaigns

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences explicitly prohibits any attempt to defame or undermine competing films. However, enforcing these rules is increasingly difficult in the digital age, where negative campaigns can be orchestrated by third parties, including fans and influencers. The Karla Sofía Gascón and Fernanda Torres case exemplifies how allegations of negative campaigning can stir controversy and put the integrity of awards into question.

Key ethical challenges in award campaigns include:

  • Indirect defamation strategies: Negative comments about competitors are often spread by anonymous accounts or influencers with no direct connection to marketing teams.
  • Psychological pressure on artists: Social media can amplify criticism and create a hostile environment, emotionally affecting those involved.
  • Narrative manipulation: Comments and statements can be taken out of context, negatively influencing public and critical perception.
  • Lack of specific regulations: Despite the Academy’s guidelines, the absence of stricter control allows unethical practices to persist.

Similar controversies in Oscar history

The conflict between Gascón and Torres is not the first case of controversy surrounding Oscar campaigns. Over the years, several films have been accused of using questionable tactics to promote their productions and discredit competitors.

  • 1999 – Shakespeare in Love vs. Saving Private Ryan
    Miramax, led by Harvey Weinstein at the time, conducted an aggressive campaign to boost Shakespeare in Love, including subtle attacks on Steven Spielberg’s war film. The result was a surprising victory for the historical romance over Saving Private Ryan, sparking debates about the ethics of marketing strategies.
  • 2010 – The Hurt Locker and the unethical campaign
    The film’s producer, Nicolas Chartier, sent emails asking voters to support his movie while suggesting that Avatar did not deserve the award. As a consequence, the Academy disqualified Chartier from attending the Oscar ceremony.
  • 2018 – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri vs. The Shape of Water
    During awards season, Three Billboards faced a wave of online criticism, with claims that the film promoted problematic messages. Experts believe that part of this backlash may have been fueled by behind-the-scenes campaigns.

Impact on the film industry and future awards seasons

With the growing influence of the digital landscape, the film industry faces unprecedented challenges in regulating award campaigns. The case involving Karla Sofía Gascón and Fernanda Torres serves as a warning about the need for stricter guidelines and mechanisms to ensure fair competition.

To mitigate issues like those seen this season, industry experts suggest:

  1. Stronger Academy oversight on digital campaigns
    Stricter monitoring of suspicious activities could help curb unethical practices.
  2. Public commitment from studios to ethical campaigns
    Official statements promoting fair play could help reduce unnecessary conflicts.
  3. Accountability for misinformation campaigns
    Identifying and penalizing strategies that spread false information could enhance credibility.
  4. Transparency in promotional material distribution
    Making it clear to the public which materials are official and which are external campaigns could help counter misinformation.

The future of Oscar campaigns

As the digitization of awards campaigns continues to expand, the film industry must find a balance between freedom of expression and protection against defamation. The case involving Gascón and Torres highlights the need for reforms and serves as a reminder that, in today’s environment, a single misinterpreted statement can escalate into a major controversy.

The relationship between the two actresses remains amicable, with both reaffirming their mutual respect and condemning online attacks. However, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers and complexities of award campaigns in the modern era. Each year, the line between legitimate promotion and narrative manipulation becomes thinner, demanding more attention and transparency from the industry.



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