Preparations for the 97th Academy Awards on Hollywood Boulevard are in full swing as workers set up viewing platforms along the iconic red carpet. Following a tumultuous awards season marked by delays due to L.A. wildfires and controversies surrounding top contenders, the stage is set for an unforgettable night. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the ceremony promises a plethora of surprises, contrasting last year’s dominance by Oppenheimer, with a wide-open Best Picture race and thrilling competitions in lead acting categories featuring Demi Moore and Fernanda Torres, as well as Adrien Brody and Timothée Chalamet. Stay tuned as TIME staff provides live updates and analysis through our blog, capturing the winners, losers, and standout moments of Oscar Sunday.
Tonight’s front-runners in terms of nominations include Jacques Audiard’s provocative “Emilia Perez,” a French-Spanish musical depicting a Mexican drug lord, leading with 13 nods. Brady Corbet’s epic “The Brutalist” and John M. Chu’s “Wicked,” the film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, closely trail with 10 nominations each. Additionally, Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal in the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” and Edward Berger’s papal drama “Conclave” have both secured eight nods, while Sean Baker’s Cinderella tale “Anora” has garnered six nominations. All six contenders are vying for the prestigious Best Picture award.
The highlight of the evening is undoubtedly the unpredictable Best Picture race, with no clear front-runner in sight. While “Emilia Pérez” initially appeared to have an edge after its Golden Globes win, controversy surrounding star Karla Sofia Gascón has clouded its prospects. “The Brutalist” took home the Golden Globe for Best Picture – Drama but faces criticism for its AI-related controversies. “Anora” has been gaining momentum with recent wins, yet its unconventional setting raises doubts among some Academy voters. “A Complete Unknown” and “Conclave” also stand strong, with the latter being a crowd favorite. With the Academy employing ranked choice voting, predictions are challenging, raising the question of which film resonates as the secondary choice among members.
The Oscars’ voting process, overseen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, involves more than 10,500 members partaking in a democratic selection process across 23 categories. Initially, members vote to shortlist nominees, with specific branches like actors and directors voting in corresponding categories. The final round opens up to all members for voting in all categories through a secure online platform managed by an independent accounting firm. Ultimately, the winners are determined by the highest number of votes received.
In the realm of the prestigious Best Picture category, the voting process differs slightly. Qualified voters are tasked with ranking the nominees from their most favored to their least favored, with the victor being the film that garners 50 percent or more of the votes. The Academy implemented this ranked choice system for Best Picture back in 2009, coinciding with an expansion of the category to accommodate up to 10 films as nominees.
In preparation for the 2025 Oscars, initial voting took place from December 9, 2024, to December 13, 2024, while nominations voting was initially slated to run from January 8, 2025, to January 12, 2025. However, due to the unfortunate L.A. wildfires, the nominations voting period was extended until January 17. The final round of voting commenced on February 11 and concluded on February 18, ensuring that subsequent events such as the SAG Awards had no influence on the choices made by the voters. —Rebecca Schneid
Conan O’Brien to Grace the Oscar Stage Tonight marks a historic occasion as Conan O’Brien assumes the role of host for the Academy Awards for the very first time. The renowned comedian follows in the footsteps of fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who previously hosted the Oscars on four separate occasions, including in 2023 and 2024.
In a moment filled with excitement, O’Brien humorously expressed, “This is incredible. I’ve been handed an Oscar. I’m an Oscar winner,” in a video shared on the Academy’s X account announcing his selection as host. Following this, an off-screen individual playfully reminds him that he is hosting the awards, not winning one. Nonetheless, O’Brien jests, “Oh, but do I still get to keep the Oscar?”
With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in late-night television, O’Brien garnered acclaim for his work on shows such as Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, and Conan. The five-time Emmy winner also boasted stints as a writer for iconic programs like Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons.
After bidding adieu to late-night television in 2021, O’Brien embarked on new endeavors, including hosting the popular podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.” Reflecting on his upcoming hosting gig, O’Brien shared, “So I did an independent film at Sundance. I headlined at the Newport Folk Festival. I’m just saying yes to things that I wouldn’t have done before. I’m a black belt in karate now. I’m a licensed neurosurgeon. I mean, there are all these things I’m doing now that I didn’t think I would ever do before.” —Rebecca Schneid
Tune in to the Oscars The 97th Oscars broadcast, mirroring the previous year’s schedule, is set to kick off a tad earlier than usual at 7 p.m.
