Oscars 2020: Where to watch, nominations, and everything else you need to know

As Hollywood gears up for its annual celebration of cinematic excellence—the Oscars 2020—the awards race is finally taking shape. But, who will host the ceremony, who will be nominated and, most importantly, who will take home the coveted statuettes come Oscar night? Ahead of the event, Vogue rounds up everything you need to know about the 92nd Academy Awards.

What are the Academy Awards?

Academy Awards, known as Oscars, are prizes given for artistic and technical merit in the film industry. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, at a star-studded show that reflects on the past year in entertainment. The first-ever presentation was held in 1929 and the awards ceremony first broadcast on TV in 1953, to an estimated audience of 34 million.

Who is hosting the Oscars this year?

For the second consecutive year, the Academy Awards will be going host-free. In 2019, the event went ahead without a host for the first time in 30 years and attracted 29.6 million viewers, a 12 percent increase from the previous year.

When are the 2020 Oscars taking place?

The 92nd Academy Awards will take place on February 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Where can you watch Oscars 2020 live in India?

The Oscars award ceremony will be available to watch live on Hotstar starting 6.30am on Monday, February 10, 2020, and on Star Movies and Star Movies Select HD. The show will also be telecast primetime on Star Movies and Star Movies Select HD at 8.30pm on the same day.

Who are on the Oscar 2020 nominations list?

Todd Phillips’ Joker received the most nominations, with 11 nods including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay. The Irishman, 1917 and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood all tied for second place with 10 nominations each, while Little Women, Jojo Rabbit, Marriage Story and Parasite follow with six nods respectively. The directing nominees include Martin Scorsese, Sam Mendes, Quentin Tarantino and Bong Joon-ho—an all-male shortlist that overlooks Little Women’s Greta Gerwig. The acting nominations may also prove controversial, with Cynthia Erivo featured as the sole non-white contender for Harriet. Jennifer Lopez, previously considered a favourite for Best Supporting Actress, was snubbed for her role in Hustlers, making way for surprise nominee Kathy Bates (although she was nominated for a Golden Globe for Richard Jewell). Also worth noting? Scarlett Johansson’s double nomination—Best Supporting Actress for Jojo Rabbit and Best Actress for Marriage Story.

How are Oscar winners selected?

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is believed to have more than 9,000 members, though the exact figure is a closely guarded secret. Academy membership is divided into branches, each representing a different discipline. Most Oscar categories are nominated by the members of the corresponding branch—for instance, actors nominate actors, directors nominate directors—but all members can select Best Picture nominees.

After nominations are announced, the second round begins in which all members can vote in all categories. A first-past-the-post system applies, except for Best Picture which is selected using a preferential ballot. Designed to reward the film that is most widely liked by the electorate, it asks voters to rank the Best Picture nominees from best to the worst. If no film gets 50 per cent of the vote, the lowest ranked release is eliminated and votes redistributed to the second choice listed on the ballot. This process continues until one film rises above the rest to claim the top prize.

Who is invited to the ceremony?

Academy members, nominees and studio executives are among those who are invited to the Oscars. Blocks are also reserved for the show’s broadcast network, sponsors and the media.

What is the dress code?

The Oscars dress code is constantly evolving. In 1968, legendary costume designer Edith Head wrote to attendees, urging women to wear formal evening gowns while men adopt white tie. In recent years, red-carpet regulars have favoured a slightly more relaxed alternative: black-tie formal. For men this means tuxedos and bow ties, and for women long dresses in luxurious fabrics. However, a dress code isn’t strictly enforced and guests are encouraged to be experimental. In 1986, Cher wore a midriff-baring gown and headdress; in 1999, Celine Dion came in a backwards tuxedo; and in 2001, Björk attended in a dress in the shape of a giant swan. Another star who has pushed the boundaries? Billy Porter, who arrived at the 2019 Oscars in a show-stopping ball gown.

Why are the Oscars so important?

With an illustrious history that stretches back to 1929, the Oscars are older than both the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs (which began in 1944 and 1947, respectively). While the Golden Globes spread the wealth between film and TV, the Oscars reward craftspeople in more categories, including costuming and production design. Its prestige also stems from its larger voter base of industry professionals. In contrast, the Golden Globes are voted on by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which has approximately 90 members.

What is in the Oscars goodie bag?

Reportedly worth $148,000 (that's Rs 1.06 crore), the 2019 Oscars goodie bag included a luxury cruise, jewellery, beauty products and chocolates. Each year, the bag is awarded to all 25 acting and directing nominees.

How many people attend the Oscars each year?

The Dolby Theatre, which has hosted the Oscars since 2002, seats just 3,400 people. As a result, the event remains the hottest ticket in town.

Scroll ahead for the complete list of Oscars 2020 nominations:

Actor in a Supporting Role

• Tom Hanks (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood)
• Anthony Hopkins (The Two Popes)
• Al Pacino (The Irishman)
• Joe Pesci (The Irishman)
• Brad Pitt (Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood)

Actress in a Supporting Role

• Kathy Bates (Richard Jewell)
• Laura Dern (Marriage Story)
• Scarlett Johansson (Jojo Rabbit)
• Florence Pugh (Little Women)
• Margot Robbie (Bombshell)

Short Film (Animated)

• Dcera (Daughter)
• Hair Love
• Kitbull
• Memorable
• Sister

Short Film (Live Action)

• Brotherhood
• Nefta Football Club
• The Neighbors’ Window
• Saria
• A Sister

Music (Original Score)

• Joker
• Little Women
• Marriage Story
• 1917
• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Costume Design

• The Irishman
• Jojo Rabbit
• Joker
• Little Women
• Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood

Sound Editing

• Ford v. Ferrari
• Joker
• 1917
• Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood
• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Sound Mixing

• Ad Astra
• Ford v Ferrari
• Joker
• 1917
• Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood

Film Editing

• Ford v Ferrari
• The Irishman
• Jojo Rabbit
• Joker
• Parasite

Best International Feature Film

• Corpus Christi (Poland)
• Honeyland (North Macedonia)
• Les Misérables (France)
• Pain and Glory (Spain)
• Parasite (South Korea)

Documentary (Short Subject)

• In the Absence
• Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)
• Life Overtakes Me
• St. Louis Superman
• Walk Run Cha-Cha

Documentary (Feature)

• American Factory
• The Cave
• The Edge of Democracy
• For Sama
• Honeyland

Production Design

• The Irishman
• Jojo Rabbit
• 1917
• Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood
• Parasite

Cinematography

• The Irishman
• Joker
• The Lighthouse
• 1917
• Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood

Visual Effects

• Avengers: Endgame
• The Irishman
• The Lion King
• 1917
• Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Makeup and Hairstyling

• Bombshell
• Joker
• Judy
• Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
• 1917

Animated Feature Film

• How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
• I Lost My Body
• Klaus
• Missing Link
• Toy Story 4

Music (Original Song)

• “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away,” Toy Story 4
• “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” Rocketman
• “I’m Standing With You,” Breakthrough
• “Into the Unknown,” Frozen II
• “Stand Up,” Harriet

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

• The Irishman
• Jojo Rabbit
• Joker
• Little Women
• The Two Popes

Writing (Original Screenplay)

• Knives Out
• Marriage Story
• 1917
• Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood
• Parasite

Actor in a Leading Role

• Antonio Banderas (Pain and Glory)
• Leonardo DiCaprio (Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood)
• Adam Driver (Marriage Story)
• Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)
• Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes)

Actress in a Leading Role

• Cynthia Erivo (Harriet)
• Scarlett Johansson (Marriage Story)
• Saoirse Ronan (Little Women)
• Charlize Theron (Bombshell)
• Renée Zellweger (Judy)

Directing

• The Irishman, Martin Scorsese
• Joker, Todd Phillips
• 1917, Sam Mendes
• Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino
• Parasite, Bong Joon Ho

Best Picture

• Ford v Ferrari
• The Irishman
• Jojo Rabbit
• Joker
• Little Women
• Marriage Story
• 1917
• Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood
• Parasite

Also read:

11 rules to winning an Oscar

Vogue’s 2020 Oscar predictions: 15 films tipped for awards glory

What does it really take to win an Oscar?