The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in the film industry.[1][2] They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence in cinematic achievements as assessed by the Academy's voting membership.[3] The Oscars are widely considered to be the most prestigious awards in the film industry.[4]
The major award categories, known as the Academy Awards of Merit,[5] are presented during a live-televised Hollywood ceremony in February or March. It is the oldest worldwide entertainment awards ceremony.[1] The 1st Academy Awards were held in 1929.[6] The second ceremony, in 1930, was the first one broadcast by radio. The 1953 ceremony was the first one televised.[1] It is the oldest of the four major annual American entertainment awards. Its counterparts—the Emmy Awards for television, the Tony Awards for theater, and the Grammy Awards for music—are modeled after the Academy Awards.[7] The Oscar statuette depicts a knight, rendered in the Art Deco style.[8]
Rao, Sonia (April 16, 2021). "Why do the Oscars matter?". The Washington Post. ISSN0190-8286. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021. They are, after all, the most extravagant of award shows, considered important enough for an adjacent industry of publicists and marketing experts to devote months to campaigning, and entertaining enough for a broadcast television network to allocate hours of Sunday night airtime to the ceremony.
Torres, Libby (January 21, 2020). "The 18 best Oscar hosts of all time, ranked". Business Insider. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2024. The Academy Awards are Hollywood's biggest night, and celebrate achievements in cinema by A-list stars and directors.
Starkey, Adam (January 23, 2023). "Who has won the most Oscars?". NME. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2024. The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, is seen as the most prestigious award show in the film industry.