LOS ANGELES - Hollywood's brightest stars gathered at the iconic Dolby Theatre on Sunday for the 97th Academy Awards, bringing glamour and drama both on and off the red carpet.
This year's ceremony started an hour earlier than traditional broadcasts, continuing the Academy's push to announce Best Picture before viewers head to bed. The scheduling shift proved popular with East Coast audiences while maintaining the show's signature spectacle.
The race for Best Picture remained remarkably tight heading into the evening, with "Anora" and "Conclave" emerging as frontrunners after collecting major accolades throughout awards season.
The year's most nominated film, Netflix's "Emilia Pérez," faced unexpected controversy after racist social media posts from lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón resurfaced just weeks before the ceremony. The narco-musical's Oscar prospects appeared diminished amid the backlash, despite its technical achievements.
Industry veterans noted this year's unusually competitive field across major categories, with several first-time nominees poised to take home their debut Academy Awards. The unpredictable nature of the top races added an extra layer of anticipation to Hollywood's biggest night.
The Academy's continued efforts to evolve the ceremony while honoring cinema's finest achievements set the stage for a memorable evening celebrating the magic of moviemaking.
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