2022 marks the 94th Academy Awards: we explore the history, glories and controversies of the biggest film awards ceremony in the world

WORDS NIKOLE ROBINSON

DID YOU KNOW?

The Oscar trophy is officially named the Academy Award of Merit

Every year, film fanatics all over the world prepare for the most prestigious movie awards ceremony, eagerly awaiting the nominations and eventual reveal of the winners in an extravagant celebration, broadcast in over 200 countries.But the Academy Awards wasn’t always the celebrity spectacle it is today. In fact, it had rather humble beginnings.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded in 1927 after talks led by MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer highlighted the need for an organisation to oversee and unite Hollywood. With this, technology could be standardised between studios and disputes could be solved impartially. A banquet was held to discuss the formation of this organisation, and its 36 attendees became the Academy’s inaugural members, with actor Douglas Fairbanks becoming its first president. Originally divided into five branches – actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers – there are now 17 branches within the Academy.

One of the Academy’s first committees suggested that annual awards be given out in 12 categories, with these to be “considered the highest distinction attainable in the motion picture profession”. In 1928, Mayer set MGM art director and Academy founder Cedric Gibbons to work on designing a statue as impressive as the honours being given. Gibbons drew up a golden crusader holding a sword, perched atop a reel of film – the reel has five spokes to signify the five original branches of the Academy. Very little has changed since the statuette’s original design, with the Oscar becoming perhaps the most iconic and recognisable award in the world.