Early Oscar contenders emerge as fall film festivals begin

As the fall film festival season begins, early predictions for the March Academy Awards are emerging, with Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" currently seen as the front-runner for best picture despite expectations it may not ultimately win. Other notable contenders include New York-set films like "Club Kid" and "Paper Tiger," while John Malkovich is tipped for his best Oscar shot yet in "Wild Horse Nine." The low-budget horror hit "One Wish Willow" is also expected to compete in major categories. International films are predicted to remain strong contenders, including "Fjord," which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and new works from acclaimed directors like Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Lee Chang-dong.