This year’s Oscars were at the beginning of March. Even after 96 years, the core of these awards is the same. It’s a night where Hollywood’s biggest stars gather in the same room to celebrate their various achievements in the film industry. It’s also Hollywood’s version of the Met Gala, and everyone gets to roast their least favorite outfits the day after. Although these things remain the same, there are many differences between the first Oscars in 1929 and 2025.
Firstly, there are way more categories for awards now than at the first Academy Awards. There were only 12 categories (and two special awards) in 1929 and now there are 23. And apparently, there will be a new category in 2026 for Best Casting. There are many reasons for the increase in awards over the years, including big changes in the film industry, technological advancements, inclusivity, and pressure from film workers seeking more recognition (which they definitely deserve).
Speaking of representation and recognition, the Oscars are way more diverse than they were in 1929. Aside from one woman who won Best Actress, all the Oscar winners in 1929 were white men. Today, people of various races, ethnicities, backgrounds, etc. were nominated and won awards in their respective categories. However, there were some firsts in 2025 as well. For example, Paul Tazwell is the first black man to win Best Costume Design, and Zoe Saldaña is the first American of Dominican origin to win an Oscar. This continuing representation is crucial because it shows that anyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, can reach these achievements.
While the Oscars certainly celebrate remarkable talent and hard work, it’s important to also recognize Hollywood’s problematic history. It’s no secret that early Hollywood films seriously lacked diversity and often included harmful and offensive stereotypes of various races, ethnicities, and religions. Along with the problematic content on screen, there’s a long history of drama and mistreatment of cast and crew behind the scenes. While things have certainly improved in many ways, the film industry still has a long way to go in terms of diversity, representation, equality, and treatment of cast and crew members.
How can movie creators today reckon with their industry’s problematic past and work towards a better, more inclusive future? This question doesn’t have a simple answer and solutions won’t appear overnight. But a key factor in creating change is lifting up as many different voices as possible. By hearing stories from wide groups of people, we can begin to understand each other on a greater level.
By sharing these stories, we can also recognize the power that movies have to bring people together. Unity couldn’t be more important than it is right now and if these stories can help even a little in that process, that’s a beautiful thing. Even in an event like the Oscars that seems self-indulgent and not a big priority right now, the work that they elevate is profound and meaningful. And to quote Conan O’Brien, “the work continues.”
Feature Image by Peri Oberman, via Canva
