Following the sweeping wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles, the 97th Academy Awards are set to proceed as planned. Adapting to the adverse impacts of these fires, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is committed to aiding its members and the broader film community in their recovery efforts.
The Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be broadcasted live by ABC, commencing at 7 p.m. Eastern/4 p.m. Pacific.
In a groundbreaking move, the Oscars will be available for live streaming on Hulu, with additional viewing options on Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV, and FuboTV. Audiences can also tune in via ABC.com and the ABC app with proper provider authentication.
This year marks Conan O’Brien’s debut as the Oscars host. O’Brien, known for his journey from late-night host to podcasting and movie appearances, remarked humorously on his new role: “America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars.”
The recent wildfires that devastated substantial areas of Los Angeles had prompted some to suggest canceling the Academy Awards. Though the announcement of nominations was delayed, the ceremony date of March 2 remained unchanged. The academy maintains that the event’s continuation is crucial for Los Angeles’s economic recovery and symbolizes resilience. Organizers have dedicated this year’s awards to celebrating collective artistry and honoring those who bravely battled the fires.
Despite these assurances, the typical fanfare of Hollywood’s awards season has been dampened. The academy has canceled its annual luncheon for nominees. For figures like O’Brien, the fires’ impact is deeply personal—while his Pacific Palisades home survived, his family is yet to return, and his assistant Sona Movsesian lost her residence.
“I know so many people who lost their homes, and I’m just, was ridiculously lucky,” O’Brien shared. “So we want to make sure that the show reflects what’s happening and that we put a light on the right people in the right way.”
A host of stars are slated to present awards, with recent additions including Selena Gomez, Oprah Winfrey, Joe Alwyn, and others. They will join prior presenters like Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz, Whoopi Goldberg, and last year’s acting winners. Contrary to earlier statements, the academy has reportedly abandoned its plan of using the “fab five” presentation style for the acting awards this year. Additionally, Nick Offerman will assume the role of announcer for the event.
In a shift from tradition, the original song nominees will not perform this year. However, musical acts will include Doja Cat, LISA of Blackpink, Queen Latifah, and RAYE, along with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande from “Wicked.” The Los Angeles Master Chorale will also make an appearance, offering a celebratory tribute to the film industry.
The nominees for best picture include: “Anora”; “The Brutalist”; “A Complete Unknown”; “Conclave”; “Dune: Part 2”; “Emilia Pérez”; “I’m Still Here”; “Nickel Boys”; “The Substance”; “Wicked.”
Several nominated films are still in theaters, while many have made their way to streaming platforms. Viewers can catch up on award contenders as they’re made available through various services.
The race for top honors at this year’s Oscars is fiercely competitive. While “Anora” emerged as a leading contender, clinching significant wins at recent film industry awards, other films like “Conclave,” “The Brutalist,” “A Complete Unknown,” and “Emilia Pérez” remain strong hopefuls.
In the acting categories, Demi Moore stands as the favorite for best actress for her role in “The Substance,” with strong competition from Mikey Madison for “Anora.” Adrien Brody is favored for best actor for “The Brutalist,” though Timothée Chalamet poses a significant challenge. Zoe Saldaña leads the field for best supporting actress for “Emilia Pérez,” while Kieran Culkin is the frontrunner for best supporting actor.
“Emilia Pérez,” directed by Jacques Audiard, has garnered 13 nominations. The film, centered on a Mexican drug lord undergoing gender-affirming surgery, was a strong contender for Netflix’s first best picture win. Karla Sofía Gascón, the film’s star, made history as the first openly trans actor nominated for an Oscar. However, controversy arose from past offensive tweets by Gascón, leading to an apology and dampening the film’s Oscar campaign efforts.
