Two People Exchanging Saliva won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film last night, March 15, at the 2026 Oscars. The 36-minute film, directed by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh and executive produced by Isabelle Huppert and Julianne Moore, had already attracted major attention on the festival circuit, following its Grand Jury Prize for Live-Action Short Film at the 2024 AFI Fest and Best Drama Short at the 2025 Out on Film, Atlanta’s LGBTQ Film Festival.

Set in a surreal society where kissing is forbidden and everyday exchanges are carried out through slaps to the face, the film explores themes of repression, desire, and surveillance through an unusual and provocative premise.

Among the film’s standout performances is that of French-Albanian actress Luàna Bajrami-Rahmani. Educated in France and widely considered one of the darlings of contemporary French cinema, Bajrami brings a subtle and emotionally rich presence to the screen. Known internationally for her role in Portrait of a Lady on Fire, she once again demonstrates remarkable sensitivity and control as an actress.

Born into a Kosovar family that experienced the realities of war, Bajrami is often described as a thoughtful and empathetic person, particularly attentive to human suffering and emotion. This sensitivity was visible during the Oscars ceremony itself: while the team stood on stage, she was seen comforting a fellow actress who appeared visibly emotional, a small but touching gesture that reflected her warmth and humanity.

Her performance has been widely praised and marks another step in a career that continues to grow internationally. For many viewers in France, Kosovo, and Albania, Bajrami’s presence in an Oscar-winning film is a moment of pride, highlighting a young actress whose talent is increasingly recognized around the world.

In the image, Luàna Bajrami stands slightly behind her colleagues on stage, dressed in black, smiling with a quiet sense of joy. At the moment her name is mentioned, she gently raises her hand and forms a “V” sign with her fingers, the classic gesture of victory.

What makes the gesture striking is its discreet and playful quality. Rather than making a grand or theatrical movement, she tilts her head slightly downward and lifts the two fingers softly near her face. The expression on her face suggests both pride and humility a small, spontaneous celebration rather than a triumphant display.

The gesture reads almost like a private moment shared with the audience. While the team around her focuses on the speech, Bajrami briefly acknowledges the significance of the moment with this simple sign, capturing the emotion of the occasion in a light and youthful way.

In the context of the ceremony, the “V” sign symbolizes victory, but here it also conveys something more subtle: joy, relief, and quiet confidence. It reflects the spirit of a young actress experiencing a historic moment on one of cinema’s biggest stages, celebrating the collective success while remaining graceful and understated.

 Albanian version

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