On February 18, 1929, Hollywood announced the creation of the Academy Film Awards, an initiative that would forever change the history of the seventh art form. The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) established the awards as a way to honor excellence in the film industry and to boost the popularity of films.
The first award ceremony took place a few months later, on 16 May 1929, at the Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. At this modest event, which lasted just 15 minutes, 12 awards were presented in 13 categories, with little publicity. The winners had already been announced three months before the ceremony, unlike today's practices where secrecy and suspense prevail.
The first film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture was Wings (1927), a silent film about World War I. At the same time, Emile Jennings was awarded the first Academy Award for Best Actor, while there was no corresponding category for Best Actress, as the award was given to two actresses.
Over the decades, the Oscars have evolved into the film industry's most important award, influencing the careers of actors, directors and creators. The glamour, suspense and controversial decisions that often accompany them keep the public's interest undiminished, making them one of the world's biggest cultural events.
From its humble beginnings in 1929 to the lavish ceremonies of today, the Oscars remain the ultimate symbol of cinematic distinction, shaping world cinema and culture.
