Oscars

Oscars
Name	Academy Awards
Caption	The Dolby Theatre stage during the ceremony
Awarded for	Excellence in cinematic achievements
Presenter	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Country	United States
First awarded	1929
Website	oscars.org

Oscars. Officially known as the Academy Awards, are accolades presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize artistic and technical merit in the film industry. The awards, first presented in 1929 at a private dinner at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, are considered the most prestigious and influential in global cinema. The iconic statuette, officially named the Academy Award of Merit, was designed by Cedric Gibbons and sculpted by George Stanley.

History

The awards were conceived by Louis B. Mayer, head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, to help mediate labor disputes and improve the industry's public image. The first ceremony honored films released between 1927 and 1928, with *Wings* winning the award for Outstanding Picture. Early ceremonies were modest banquets, but by 1944, the event was held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre and broadcast via radio, with ABC beginning television broadcasts in the 1950s. Key historical moments include the first televised ceremony in 1953, the relocation to the Dolby Theatre in 2002, and the creation of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The awards have been hosted by notable figures like Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, and Whoopi Goldberg.

Award categories

The number of categories has evolved, currently standing at 24 regular competitive awards. The major awards, often called the "Big Five," are Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. Other significant categories include Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Animated Feature. Technical and craft categories honor achievements in areas like Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Score. Special awards, such as the Academy Honorary Award and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, are also periodically presented.

Nomination and voting process

Eligibility is governed by rules set by the Board of Governors of the Academy. Films must meet criteria including a minimum theatrical run in Los Angeles County and a release within the calendar year. Nominations are determined by the Academy's membership, divided into 17 branches such as the Directors Branch and Actors Branch, who vote within their respective disciplines for most categories; all members vote for Best Picture. The final winners are selected by a preferential ballot for Best Picture and a plurality vote in other categories, with the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers overseeing the tabulation.

Ceremony

The ceremony is a major televised event, traditionally held in late February or early March, and broadcast internationally. The venue has been the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood since 2002, though it was held at Union Station in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event features the presentation of awards, performances of songs nominated for Best Original Song, and the In Memoriam tribute segment. Hosts in recent years have included Jimmy Kimmel, while producers like Gilbert Cates have shaped its modern format. The red carpet arrivals, covered by media like Entertainment Tonight, are a significant cultural spectacle.

Notable records and achievements

Walt Disney holds the record for most competitive awards won by an individual, with 22. Kathryn Bigelow is the only woman to have won Best Director, for The Hurt Locker. John Ford has the most directing wins with four. Meryl Streep holds the record for most acting nominations. *Titanic* and *Ben-Hur* are tied for most wins by a single film, with 11 each. The youngest winner is Tatum O'Neal for *Paper Moon*, and the oldest is James Ivory for *Call Me by Your Name*. *Moonlight*'s win for Best Picture after an initial envelope error is among the most memorable moments.

Impact and criticism

Winning an award often leads to a significant "Oscar bump," increasing a film's box office revenue and the careers of its creators. The ceremony influences global film trends and marketing. Criticism has focused on a lack of diversity among nominees, leading to movements like #OscarsSoWhite and subsequent reforms by the Academy under presidents like Cheryl Boone Isaacs and David Rubin. Other critiques include the campaign spending by studios like The Weinstein Company, the historical underrepresentation of genres like science fiction, and the perceived bias against international films, though successes like *Parasite* have challenged this. The Academy's relationship with broadcasters like ABC and its global viewership remain central to its cultural and economic impact.

Category:Academy Awards Category:American film awards Category:Awards established in 1929