The 94th Academy Awards welcomed back a star-studded red carpet and a revised broadcast set to challenge this make-or-break year for the Oscars.
On a Sunday night when CODA won for best picture, as well as for best adapted screenplay, and the best supporting and supporting actress wins made Oscar history, there was also an unbelievable exchange between Will Smith and Chris Rock that rocked an otherwise buoyant spirit.
The Oscars have been battling slumping ratings and ongoing criticism over which movies make it to the best-picture categories.
Last month, organizers announced the televised portion of the show from Los Angeles would cut out eight of 23 awards, for best documentary short, film editing, makeup and hairstyling, original score, production design, animated short, live-action short and sound.
These awards were given out an hour before the 8 p.m. ET televised show, and the speeches will be edited for the three-hour broadcast.
Co-hosts Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall welcomed the Oscars back to the Dolby Theatre, appearing on stage after a brief introduction from tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams, the subject of the Oscar-nominated film King Richard featuring Smith, who eventually took home the best-actor Oscar, and a musical number from Beyoncé.
Early winners on Sunday during the televised portion included Ariana DeBose, as best supporting actress, in the musical romantic drama West Side Story, an adaptation of the 1957 musical by the same name.
“There is indeed a place for us,” DeBose said.
Troy Kotsur made history by becoming the first deaf man to win an acting Oscar, as best supporting actor for CODA, a comedy-drama about a teenage girl navigating her way through life as the only hearing member of a deaf family. Kotsur is now the second actor who is deaf to win an Academy Award. His CODA co-star Marlee Matlin won best actress for Children of a Lesser God in 1987.
Hollywood’s top award to a streaming service for the first time.
“I really want to thank all of the wonderful deaf theatre stages where I was allowed and given the opportunity to develop my craft as an actor.”
CODA, for its part, became the first film to take home Hollywood’s top award that was released by a streaming service. Apple TV+ scored its first best-picture Academy Award less than three years after it was launched.
The shocking turn of events Sunday came when presenter Chris Rock was confronted by Will Smith after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith later won his Oscar and gave a lengthy and tearful speech, joking that he hoped the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences would still invite back to the awards.
After Schumer took her turn hosting, making light of the earlier confrontation involving Smith and Rock, Jessica Chastain was named best actress, for The Eyes of Tammy Faye, her first win in three nominations.
Canadian director, Dune win big
In the pre-televised awards segment, Halifax director Ben Proudfoot won for best documentary short The Queen of Basketball, while sci-fi favourite Dune has picked up six awards so far, including best sound, best original score, best film editing and best production design.
Netflix film The Power of the Dog and Canadian-directed Dune lead the nominations this year with 12 and 10, respectively.
CBC News is updating all televised winners and major winners:
Best picture
CODA.
Best actress in a leading role
Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
Best actor in a leading role
Will Smith, King Richard.
Best directing
Jane Campion, Power of the Dog.
Best original song
Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, No Time To Die.
Best documentary feature
Summer of Soul.
Best adapted screenplay
CODA.
Best original screenplay
Belfast.
Best costume design
Cruella.
Best international feature film
Drive My Car.
Best supporting actor
Troy Kotsur.
Best animated feature
Encanto.
Best special effects
Dune.
Best cinematography
Dune.
Best sound
Dune.
Best original score
Dune.
Best film editing
Dune.
Best production design
Dune.
Best makeup and hairstyling
The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
Short film (live action)
The Long Goodbye.
Best short (Animated)
The Windshield Wiper.
Documentary (short subject)
The Queen of Basketball.
Best Supporting Actress
Ariana DeBose West Side Story.