The Oscars recently shared details on this year’s ceremony, including breaks from tradition and recognition of Los Angeles as the city grapples with the damage caused by wildfires. The 97th Oscars ceremony is set to take place on Sunday, March 2 at the Dolby® Theatre of Ovation Hollywood. It will be televised live on ABC at 7 p.m. ET and streamed live on Hulu and Disney+, as well as the Academy’s social media platforms.
A Commitment to Acknowledge Los Angeles and the Film Industry
Oscars CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang made an announcement detailing how the organization was committed to acknowledging the resilience of the film industry and its central city of Los Angeles. Though the fires continue to burn as of writing, causing the Oscars to extend the voting period, rainfall has brought some relief to the city.
“We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community,” Kramer and Yang said. “The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship.”
“Our members always share how important it is for us to come together as a community,” Kramer and Yang continued, “and we are determined to use this opportunity to celebrate our resilient and compassionate industry. We also look forward to honoring our frontline workers who have aided with the fires, recognizing those impacted, and encouraging people to join the Academy in supporting the relief efforts.”
Changes Due to the Los Angeles Wildfires
The Oscars nominations voting period was extended through Friday, January 17, and nominations were announced on Thursday, January 23. Notably, the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, previously scheduled for Monday, February 10, will not be held this year. The Scientific and Technical Awards, previously scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, will be rescheduled to a later date.
Hosted by Conan O’Brien
This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Emmy-winning comedian and former late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien. His approach will reportedly focus on the spirit of connection and collaboration inherent in the filmmaking industry.
Changes to the Original Song Category’s Presentation
Notably, the Oscars is making a significant change to how the original song category is presented this year. The category will not feature live performances of nominated songs, but rather the show will focus on personal reflections and insights from the songwriters and creatives behind the music.
This year’s nominees include “Like a Bird” from Sing Sing, “Never Too Late” from Elton John: Never Too Late, “The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight, as well as “El Mal” and “Mi Camino” from Emilia Pérez.
“We will celebrate their artistry through personal reflections from the teams who bring these songs to life,” Kramer and Yang wrote in a letter to Academy members. “All of this, and more, will uncover the stories and inspiration behind this year’s nominees.
The Return of “Fab 5” Moments
It is unclear whether this change to the Oscars tradition will be a permanent one, or if the Academy’s leadership thought it would be meaningful for this event in particular. What will return this year are the “Fab 5” moments, a segment where the Oscars invite individual artists to recognize nominees and perform tributes. This tradition was introduced relatively recently but has had an impact on audiences as a way to celebrate artistry across generations.
“There is so much more in store,” Kramer and Yang’s letter concluded, “including powerful musical moments that connect film’s rich history to its bold and inspiring future. We hope you will tune in tomorrow morning to watch the Nominations Announcement, and we greatly appreciate your ongoing commitment to the Academy and our film community. We are stronger together.”
