Origin of the Oscar Award
The Oscar Award, awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), is the most prestigious award in the film industry worldwide. Its first ceremony was held on May 16, 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, with an audience of just 270 people. At that event, cinematic achievements from 1927 and 1928 were recognized.
The idea of creating the Academy was conceived by Louis B. Mayer, president of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), with the purpose of strengthening the public image of the film industry and mediating labor disputes. Over time, the Oscar became the highest recognition of cinematic excellence.
Evolution and changes in the voting system
In its early years, winners were announced months in advance, but from 1930 onwards, the Academy began sending the results to newspapers on the day of the event. However, in 1941, sealed envelopes were introduced to prevent leaks.
Another key development occurred in 1934, when the Academy established that films would compete for achievements within a calendar year (January 1 to December 31). Over time, various reforms were implemented to ensure the transparency and fairness of the selection process.
Design of the Oscar statuette
The iconic statuette of the Oscar, designed in 1928 by MGM set designer Cedric Gibbons and sculpted by George Stanley, depicts a knight holding a sword above a five-spoke film reel, symbolizing the original five branches of the Academy: actors, directors, producers, writers and technicians. Since 1983, the statuettes have been manufactured at R.S. Owens & Company in Chicago.
Categories in the Oscar Awards
Main Categories
- Best Film
- Best Director
- Best Actor
- Best Actress
- Best Supporting Actor
- Best Supporting Actress
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Adapted Screenplay
Technical categories
- Best Photography
- Best Editing
- Best Production Direction (Production Design)
- Best Costume Design
- Best Makeup and Hair
- Best Visual Effects
- Best Sound
- Best Original Soundtrack
- Best Original Song
- Best Sound Editing (previously independent, now combined with Best Sound)
Animation and Documentary Categories
- Best Animated Film
- Best Animated Short Film
- Best Documentary Feature
- Best Documentary Short Film
International categories and short films
- Best International Film (Previously "Best Foreign Film")
- Best Fiction Short Film
Honorary and special categories
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
- Irving G. Thalberg Award (for producers)
- Honorary Oscar (recognition of a lifetime achievement or special contribution to the industry)
- Scientific and Technical Awards (awarded at events prior to the main gala)
Growth and international expansion of the Oscar Award
The Oscars ceremony has been broadcast live since 1953 and now reaches more than 200 countries. In 1957, the Academy introduced the Best Foreign Film category to recognize cinema from other regions of the world.
Over the years, the ceremony has witnessed historic moments, such as the first posthumous award given to Peter Finch in 1977, the inclusion of actors and filmmakers of diverse nationalities and the impact of digital cinema and streaming platforms.
Records and impressive figures
- Films with the most awards: Ben Hur (1959), Titanic (1997) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) hold the record of 11 awards each.
- Actor with the most awards: Katharine Hepburn is the actress with the most Oscars, with a total of 4 statuettes.
- Most nominated films: Titanic (1997), La La Land (2016) and Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) lead with 14 nominations each.
- Most awarded producer: Walt Disney holds the record for the most awards in history with 22 statuettes and 4 honorary awards.
The Oscars ceremony today
Today, the Oscars are one of the most anticipated broadcasts of the year. The 96th edition will be held on March 2, 2025 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Among the most nominated films is Emilia Perez, which has generated great expectations with 13 nominations, including Best Film, Best Actress and Best Original Song.
The Oscars have evolved over time, adapting to changes in the film industry and reflecting cultural and social changes. Beyond recognizing talent, the golden statuette remains the ultimate symbol of the seventh art on a global level.
