The 97th Academy Awards are set to take place despite the destructive wildfires that impacted Los Angeles recently. Similar to other award shows this year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is adapting its ceremony in response to the fires and has committed to assisting both its members and the wider film industry in recovery efforts.
Here are essential details regarding this year’s Oscar ceremony:
**When will the Oscars take place?**
The Academy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The event will be broadcast live on ABC, starting at 7 p.m. ET and 4 p.m. PT.
**Will the Oscars be available for streaming?**
This year marks the first time the Oscars will be streamed live on Hulu. Viewers can also catch the ceremony on Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV, and FuboTV. Additionally, those with authentication from their service provider can watch on ABC.com and through the ABC app.
**Who is hosting the event?**
Conan O’Brien will take the helm as the host for the first time. The late-night comedian and podcaster humorously remarked upon the announcement, blending his hosting news with a quip about Taco Bell’s menu: “America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars.”
**How have the wildfires affected the Academy Awards?**
The wildfires that ravaged significant areas of Los Angeles led some to suggest canceling the Oscars. The Academy delayed the announcement of nominations twice but maintained the March 2 date for the event. Academy leaders stress the importance of holding the ceremony as a sign of economic stability for Los Angeles and a representation of resilience amidst adversity. This year’s awards aim to “celebrate the work that unites us as a global film community,” while honoring those brave individuals who battled the fires.
Unfortunately, the usual celebrations of Hollywood’s awards season have been muted. The Academy also called off its traditional nominees luncheon due to the fire’s impact.
For many in the Oscar community, the repercussions of the fires have been felt personally. O’Brien’s home in Pacific Palisades remained intact, yet his family has been unable to return. In contrast, Sona Movsesian, his assistant and podcast co-host, suffered the loss of her home. O’Brien expressed empathy for those affected, saying, “I know so many people who lost their homes and I’m just, was ridiculously lucky.” He added, “So we want to make sure that that show reflects what’s happening and that we put a light on the right people in the right way.”
**Who’s presenting awards this year?**
On Wednesday, the Academy announced that last year’s acting winners—Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph—will return to the stage to present awards. Originally, the Academy considered a “fab five” approach for presenting acting awards, where five past winners would present in each category. However, those plans have reportedly changed for this year.
**Will there be musical performances?**
This year’s ceremony will not feature live performances of the original song nominees as seen in years past. Nevertheless, there may still be music, especially with “Wicked,” a major box-office success in 2024, potentially included in the events of the night. However, its songs are not eligible for best song since they were originally written for the Broadway musical.
**What films are nominated for Best Picture?**
The ten films nominated for Best Picture this year include: “Anora,” “The Brutalist,” “A Complete Unknown,” “Conclave,” “Dune: Part 2,” “Emilia Pérez,” “I’m Still Here,” “Nickel Boys,” “The Substance,” and “Wicked.”
**How can viewers watch the nominated films?**
While some nominees are still screening in theaters, many of them are now available on various streaming platforms, and there are comprehensive guides available to help viewers catch up on the nominated films in time for the Oscars.
**Who are the frontrunners for this year?**
This year, predicting favorites is particularly challenging. The best picture race appears to be highly competitive, with “Conclave,” “The Brutalist,” “A Complete Unknown,” “Anora,” and “Emilia Pérez” all being strong contenders. For acting nominations, Demi Moore (“The Substance”) is leading among the best actress nominees, while Adrien Brody (“The Brutalist”) is favored for best actor. Zoe Saldaña (“Emilia Pérez”) seems to be the leading choice for supporting actress, and Kieran Culkin (“A Real Pain”) is seen as the top contender for best supporting actor. However, none of the awards seem like guaranteed wins at this point.
**What’s noteworthy about ‘Emilia Pérez’?**
Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez,” a narco-musical featuring a Mexican drug lord’s story of transitioning, leads with an impressive 13 nominations. The film was initially seen as a strong contender for Netflix’s first best picture nomination, bolstered by Karla Sofía Gascón’s historic nomination as the first openly transgender actor in Oscar history. However, the campaign faced turmoil after Gascón’s old controversial tweets were revealed, prompting an apology from her and resulting in Netflix’s significant shift in its promotional strategy for the film.
