Lufthansa finds missing Oscar won by Mr. Nobody Against Putin co-director after it was lost in Frankfurt during a checked baggage mix-up.
- May 2, 2026
AceShowbiz - Lufthansa has successfully located the missing Oscar statuette awarded to Pavel Talankin, co-director and subject of the Academy Award-winning documentary Mr. Nobody Against Putin. The trophy was lost after airport security required Talankin to check it in during a return flight from New York to Europe.
According to a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter, Lufthansa confirmed that the Oscar is now safely in their custody in Frankfurt. The airline is coordinating directly with Talankin to ensure the award is returned to him promptly.
Earlier this week, Talankin was traveling from JFK Airport in New York when TSA agents did not permit him to carry the Oscar statuette onboard as a carry-on item. The award was packed into a small box and placed in checked baggage. Upon arrival in Frankfurt, Talankin was informed that the Oscar was missing.
Lufthansa issued an apology to Talankin for the inconvenience, emphasizing their commitment to the careful handling of passengers' belongings. “We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused and have apologized to the owner. The careful and secure handling of our guests' belongings is of the utmost importance to us,” the airline said.
Talankin had initially brought the Oscar back to Europe after the Academy Awards ceremony on March 15 without any issues, carrying it onboard in his in-flight bag. He also returned to the U.S. in April with the Oscar as a carry-on, again without incident.
The situation came to public attention when David Borenstein, co-director of Mr. Nobody Against Putin, shared the story on Instagram. His post included a photo of Talankin holding the Oscar secured in a mesh bag on his belt before the flight, alongside a photo of the lost baggage slip after the trophy disappeared. Borenstein tagged Lufthansa in the post, prompting the airline to assist in locating the statuette.
The discovery of the missing Oscar marks a relief for the film team and highlights the challenges filmmakers face when transporting awards internationally. Lufthansa remains in contact with Talankin to reunite him with the statuette as quickly as possible.
This incident underscores the importance of clear communication and handling procedures for valuable items during air travel. It also celebrates the recognition of Mr. Nobody Against Putin, which earned the prestigious Academy Award earlier this year.
