March 2, 2018
The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, are the most prestigious and popular film awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science or AMPAS situated in Beverly Hills, California started it in May 1929. In 1941 the current confidential envelope system was implemented, leading to the phrase “the envelope please” becoming famous. The members of this academy are invited by the Board of Governors to join.
The gold-plated statuettes are also presented as the Academy Award of Merit. They have a black metal base, weigh 8.5 lb, and stand 13.5” tall.
A knight holds a sword standing over a film reel with five spokes, which represent the five main categories of awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. The only three films to have won awards in five categories are It Happened One Night, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and The Silence of the Lambs. This achievement is also known as the Big Five or Oscar Grand Slam.
Ben-Hur (1959), Titanic (1997) and Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) have won the most Oscars with 11 each. The first televised broadcast was in 1953.
The 90th Academy Awards will air on Sunday, March 4, 2018 on ABC.