85th Academy Awards
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| 85th Academy Awards | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Award | Academy Awards |
| Number | 85 |
| Awarded for | Best films of 2012 |
| Date | February 24, 2013 |
| Site | Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California |
| Host | Billy Crystal |
| Best picture | Argo |
| Most wins | Life of Pi (4) |
| Most nominations | Lincoln (12) |
| Network | ABC |
85th Academy Awards — The 85th ceremony of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored the best films of 2012 and took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on February 24, 2013. The event, televised by ABC and produced by Brian Grazer and Don Mischer, was hosted by Billy Crystal, marking his return after previous appearances and continuing a career alongside figures such as Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal's peers like John Travolta and Robin Williams. The awards recognized achievements across categories including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.
Background and nomination process
The nomination period followed rules set by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences membership and the Academy Awards voting calendar, with eligible releases required to meet exhibition criteria in Los Angeles County during 2012. Screenings and voting were overseen by the Academy's Board of Governors and various branch committees including the Directors Branch, Actors Branch, Writers Branch, and Producers Branch. The nominees were announced on January 10, 2013, by actors Tom Sherak and Halle Berry alongside members of the Academy press corps. The Best Picture shortlist reflected a range of studios and distributors such as Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Studios, and Focus Features, and highlighted films that premiered at festivals including the Sundance Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival.
Ceremony details
The ceremony was produced by veteran television producer Brian Grazer with Don Mischer as executive producer, and directed for broadcast by Ricky Kirshner and Don Mischer. The telecast featured set designs influenced by previous ceremonies staged at the Kodak Theatre and the Dolby Theatre's technical capabilities. Musical direction during the live event involved conductors associated with the Academy Awards Orchestra and music staff connected to John Williams's legacy. Red carpet coverage was anchored by personalities from E! (TV network), Entertainment Tonight, and Access Hollywood, with fashion commentary referencing designers represented on the red carpet such as Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Alexander McQueen, and Versace.
Winners and nominees
The nominations were led by Lincoln (film) with twelve nominations including Best Actor for Daniel Day-Lewis and Best Director for Steven Spielberg. Argo, Les Misérables, Life of Pi, and Zero Dark Thirty were among multiple nominees across major categories. Winners included Ben Affleck as a credited producer accepting Best Picture for Argo (film)|Argo (with the award traditionally recognizing producers such as those from GK Films and Warner Bros. Pictures), Ang Lee winning Best Director for Life of Pi (film)|Life of Pi, Daniel Day-Lewis winning Best Actor for Lincoln (film)|Lincoln, and Jennifer Lawrence winning Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook (film)|Silver Linings Playbook. Other acting winners included Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained, Anne Hathaway for Les Misérables, and Christopher Plummer for Beginners (film)|Beginners. In technical categories, Life of Pi dominated with awards for Cinematography (recognizing the work of Claudio Miranda), Visual Effects credited to teams working with companies including Industrial Light & Magic, Best Original Score acknowledging composers in the lineage of Mychael Danna, and production design awards for teams with ties to studios like 20th Century Fox.
Presenters and performers
Presenters included a mix of actors, directors, and industry figures such as Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Quentin Tarantino, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Alfonso Cuarón, Kathryn Bigelow, and Clint Eastwood. Musical performances featured nominees from the Best Original Song category, with artists such as Adele absent but represented by contenders including performers affiliated with Les Misérables and composers connected to Broadway productions like Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil. The orchestra and live accompaniment involved established studio musicians who frequently collaborate with film composers from entities like Sony Classical and Decca Records.
Ceremony reception and ratings
Critical response to the telecast from outlets such as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter was mixed, with praise for select moments and critique for pacing and host segments. Nielsen ratings reported viewership changes compared to previous years' ceremonies broadcast by ABC, with analysis by media outlets including Deadline Hollywood and TV Guide noting demographic performances among viewers aged 18–49 and impacts on advertising revenues for sponsors such as Samsung and JPMorgan Chase.
Controversies and notable moments
The ceremony generated discussion over perceived snubs and surprises in nominations and wins, including debates involving Ben Affleck's exclusion from the Best Director nominees despite Argo winning Best Picture. Political and thematic controversies surrounding films like Zero Dark Thirty, with links to discussions of Central Intelligence Agency tactics and interrogation depictions, provoked commentary from public figures and organizations including ACLU advocates and members of Congress. Memorable onstage moments included Jennifer Lawrence's acceptance stumble and humorous exchanges attributed to Billy Crystal and presenters such as Jack Nicholson and Angelina Jolie, which were widely circulated by outlets including YouTube and social media platforms like Twitter.