After severe wildfires ravaged parts of Los Angeles, the 97th Academy Awards will proceed as planned. In light of these disasters, similar to other award ceremonies this year, the event will be shaped by these events, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has promised to assist its members alongside the wider film community in recovering from the loss.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of what to expect from this year’s ceremony:
The Oscars are set to take place on Sunday, March 2, at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The live broadcast by ABC is slated to start at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
For the first time ever, the Oscars will be available for live streaming on Hulu. Viewers can also access the event via Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV, and FuboTV. If you have authentication from your service provider, the show will be viewable on ABC.com and the ABC app.
This year, the Academy Awards will be hosted by Conan O’Brien, a familiar face in the late-night television scene who has transitioned into podcasting and film appearances. Upon his announcement as host, he humorously remarked, “America demanded it, and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars.”
The wildfires that destroyed significant areas of Los Angeles in early January prompted calls for the cancelation of the Academy Awards. Although the Academy delayed nominations announcements on two occasions, they chose not to change the March 2 date for the ceremony. Academy officials maintain that the show is important both for its economic impact on Los Angeles and as a symbol of endurance.
Organizers aim to make this year’s awards a celebration of the collaborative spirit within the global film community while honoring the brave individuals who fought against the wildfires. Nevertheless, the fires have subdued much of the usual glamour associated with Hollywood’s awards season, including the cancellation of the Academy’s annual nominees luncheon.
The effects of the fires have been felt deeply by many connected to the Oscars. O’Brien’s home in Pacific Palisades survived, but his family is unable to return. His assistant and podcast collaborator, Sona Movsesian, lost her house. Despite his fortune in escaping destruction, O’Brien expressed concern for those who weren’t as lucky, emphasizing the need for the show to reflect the current reality and bring attention to those in need.
This year’s ceremony will feature last year’s acting winners – Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph – as presenters. Though initial plans to revive a “fab five” presentation style were abandoned, these acclaimed actors will still grace the Oscar stage.
In terms of performances, unlike previous ceremonies, the performances of original song nominees will not take place this year. However, music will still be part of the evening’s festivities, with “Wicked,” a successful box-office title this year, likely included in the Oscar lineup, although its songs are not eligible for the best song category.
The nominees for the coveted best picture award are: “Anora,” “The Brutalist,” “A Complete Unknown,” “Conclave,” “Dune: Part 2,” “Emilia Pérez,” “I’m Still Here,” “Nickel Boys,” “The Substance,” and “Wicked.”
Viewers can catch the Oscar-nominated films in theaters or on various streaming platforms, as many of this year’s selections are currently available.
This year, determining favorites is more challenging than usual. The race for best picture appears particularly competitive with “Conclave,” “The Brutalist,” “A Complete Unknown,” “Anora,” and “Emilia Pérez” all considered potential winners. In acting categories, Demi Moore (“The Substance”) is favored for best actress, while Adrien Brody (“The Brutalist”) leads in best actor. Zoe Saldaña (“Emilia Pérez”) is a contender for supporting actress, and Kieran Culkin (“A Real Pain”) is in a strong position for best supporting actor. However, none of these categories are seen as certain victories.
Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez,” a narco-musical featuring a Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender-affirming surgery, stands out with a remarkable 13 nominations. At one point, it was seen as Netflix’s best chance for a best picture nomination. The film’s lead, Karla Sofía Gascón, has made history as the first openly trans actor nominated for an Oscar.
However, the Oscar campaign for Gascón has faced complications following the resurfacing of old offensive tweets, prompting an apology and damaging an already contentious film. This has resulted in Netflix having to reassess its campaign strategy in a significant way.
With the ceremony approaching, all eyes will be on how the Oscars adapt and mirror this year’s unique circumstances.
