Sean Penn announced at the Tribeca Film Festival that he will no longer attend any awards ceremony after winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for "One Battle After Another ." The 65‑year‑old actor said large gatherings trigger social discomfort and anxiety, prompting a radical shift toward more personal engagements.

Sean Penn's anxiety‑driven pledge at Tribeca

During a conversation with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Penn explained that the pressure of “large groups” and the politics of award shows have become unbearable, noting he feels he has only “15 minutes per person” at such events. He added that he will now avoid any designated group larger than eight people, a personal rule he said will protect his mental health. According to the report, Penn’s decision follows a similar resolve after attending the Golden Globes earlier this year .

The "IronOscar" forged from a Kyiv railcar

Instead of walking the red carpet, Penn flew to Kyiv where Ukrainian Railways CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi presented him with a handmade statuette made from metal salvaged from a railcar destroyed by a Russian missile... Pertsovskyi told Penn, “You’re missing the Oscars… we made this one. It’s not golden, but it’s very real, and it’s from the bottom of our hearts.” Penn described the gesture as moving and said it gave him “the first time” he truly enjoyed the Academy Awards,albeit from a distance.

"One Battle After Another"'s sweep of six Oscars

Penn’s award came as part of Paul Thomas Anderson’s "One Battle After Another," which earned six Oscars out of 13 nominations,including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film also featured Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, and Chase Infiniti, underscoring the high‑profile nature of the achievement that Penn is now distancing himself from.

Will Penn honor future nominations from afar?

The actor’s new stance raises the question of whether he will accept future honors without attending ceremonies. As of now, Penn has not clarified how he will handle potential wins or nominations that may arise from upcoming projects. The source notes that his refusal applies to any “designated group larger than eight,” leaving room for private celebrations.

Who else is stepping back from Hollywood’s award circuit?

Penn joins a small but growing list of high‑profile talent who have publicly rejected the awards circuit, citing similar concerns about mental health and industry politics. While the report does not name other individuals, the trend suggests a broader reevaluation of the glamour‑driven culture that dominates the film world.