LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� understands what Sunday night could mean for Oscar history. He鈥檚 just not dwelling on it.
Instead, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker is looking forward to spending one more night with his collaborators who helped bring the film to life.
Coogler could become the first Black filmmaker to win best director in the nearly century-long history. While speaking before the eighth annual Macro Pre-Oscars party Thursday night in Los Angeles, he said he鈥檚 trying to stay present as the ceremony approaches.
鈥淚鈥檓 just trying to enjoy the days as they come, stay present in the moment,鈥� Coogler told The Associated Press. 鈥淲hen Sunday comes, man, I鈥檓 pull up and enjoy celebrating all the movies that鈥檚 being celebrated here, including our own.鈥�
For Coogler, the Oscars also mark the final stop in a monthslong journey shared with the cast and creative team behind 鈥淪inners.鈥�
Since early January, the group has traveled the awards circuit together, appearing at major stops including the and as the film built momentum ahead of the Oscars, where it’s
Coogler said that experience helped turn the production into something closer to a family.
鈥淲e made a big ole family,鈥� he said. 鈥淪unday kind of represents the last time that we all get to hang with each other in an official capacity as the 鈥楽inners鈥� team.鈥�
After the ceremony, those gatherings will likely become less frequent.
鈥淭he next time we see each other, it won鈥檛 be for this movie unless it鈥檚 doing like a reunion or something,鈥� Coogler said. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to hanging out with a lot of people that I love. We were able to do something very specific together.鈥�
The cast and creative team of 鈥沦颈苍苍别谤蝉鈥� were among those honored Thursday at the Macro party, which celebrates nominees of color across the film industry.
Hosted by Macro founder and CEO Charles D. King and Chief Brand Officer Stacey Walker King, the eighth annual gathering has become a sought-after event, drawing more than 700 attendees 鈥� which included Damson Idris, Coco Jones and Janelle James.
鈥淚 could not be more excited about ‘Sinners鈥� nominations,鈥� Stacey Walker King said. 鈥淚 could not be more excited about the way that we鈥檙e showing up on these carpets and in these areas.鈥�
Charles D. King said Coogler鈥檚 influence on the industry already represents a meaningful achievement.
鈥淗e鈥檚 already winning,鈥� King said. 鈥淭o be able to be this filmmaker who can inspire and entertain the world and then be acknowledged by their peers within our artistic industry is icing on the cake.鈥�
鈥淪inners,鈥� a supernatural drama set in the American South that blends historical storytelling, folklore and genre filmmaking, stars in dual roles and continues the actor鈥檚 long creative partnership with Coogler.
Previous Black filmmakers nominated for best director at the Oscars include John Singleton, Lee Daniels, Barry Jenkins, Jordan Peele and Spike Lee.
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