The Academy Awards delivered a night of major wins and industry announcements, with One Battle After Another emerging as the biggest winner while organisers confirmed the ceremony will move to global streaming on YouTube from 2029.
The film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, collected six awards including best picture, best director and best adapted screenplay. Acting honours went to Jessie Buckley for Hamnet and Michael B Jordan for Sinners.
The ceremony was hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, who returned after presenting the show for the first time last year.
Major winners
- Best picture: One Battle After Another
- Best actress: Jessie Buckley — Hamnet
- Best actor: Michael B Jordan — Sinners
- Best supporting actress: Amy Madigan — Weapons
- Best supporting actor: Sean Penn — One Battle After Another
- Best director: Paul Thomas Anderson — One Battle After Another
Among other key awards, Sinners won best original screenplay and best original score, while the animated feature prize went to KPop Demon Hunters. The Oscar for best documentary feature was awarded to Mr Nobody Against Putin, directed by David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin.
Record nominations for Sinners
The supernatural drama Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, set a new Oscars record with 16 nominations. The previous record of 14 had been shared by films including All About Eve, Titanic and La La Land.
The film follows twin brothers who open a juke joint only to see it attacked by vampires on its opening night.
Film stories boost cultural interest
The success of Hamnet, directed by Chloe Zhao, has also sparked renewed tourism in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Visitor numbers across Shakespeare-related sites have risen by about 15 to 20 percent since the film’s January release, according to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Another nominated film, Bugonia, starring Emma Stone, drew attention for its unusual storyline. Stone plays a pharmaceutical executive kidnapped by conspiracy theorists who believe she is an alien. The movie is adapted from the South Korean cult film Save the Green Planet!.
Oscars heading to streaming
In a major shift for the film industry, the Academy confirmed that the ceremony will leave the American Broadcasting Company after decades on broadcast television. ABC has aired the Oscars since 1976 and will continue to do so in the United States through 2028.
Beginning in 2029, the show will stream live worldwide on YouTube under a new deal running through 2033. The platform plans to offer closed captions and multiple language audio tracks to make the broadcast accessible to global audiences.
Box office contrasts
Despite winning best picture, One Battle After Another was not the highest earning nominee at the box office, taking about $209 mln worldwide. The racing drama F1 led the field with more than $633 mln, followed by Sinners and Marty Supreme.
The winners are chosen by roughly 10,000 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, including actors, directors, producers and craftspeople across the film industry.
Industry tribute
The ceremony also included an «In Memoriam» tribute to filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner, known for directing classics such as When Harry Met Sally, This Is Spinal Tap and The Princess Bride. In February this year, his son, Nick Reiner, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
From economics and politics to business, technology and culture, Kursiv Uzbekistan brings you key news and in-depth analysis from Uzbekistan and around the world. To stay up to date and get the latest stories in real time, follow our Telegram channel.
