The preparation for the 98th edition of Oscar, scheduled for March 15, 2026 at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, brings with it not only the expectation of celebrating the best films of 2025, but also the weight of a history full of tensions. Enquanto the entertainment industry turns to new cinematic and technological trends, behind the scenes of the most famous awards show in the world continues to be fertile ground for heated debates, structural changes and unpredictable moments that have defined pop culture in recent decades.
From unexpected interruptions on stage to monumental mistakes in delivering envelopes, the trajectory of Academia from Artes and Ciências Cinematográficas was shaped by crises that forced the institution to reinvent itself. The ceremony, which traditionally seeks to project an image of glamor and perfection, often finds itself at the center of social, political and ethical discussions that transcend the big screen and directly impact the rules of the game in Hollywood.
The current scenario reflects this constant evolution, with new guidelines being implemented to avoid the repetition of past failures and to respond to the demands of an increasingly demanding and connected public. Analysis of past events serves not only as an exercise in nostalgia, but as a fundamental map for understanding the pressures and challenges that the organization faces in the contemporary era.
Contemporary debates on identity and technology
As the 2026 awards season approaches, new pockets of controversy are emerging, reflecting the decade’s social and technological transformations. The film “Emilia Pérez”, directed by Jacques Audiard, became the center of an intense debate about representation and categorization in awards shows. The possible nomination of the trans actress
At the same time, the use of Inteligência Artificial in cinema, which was one of the central points of the Hollywood strikes in previous years, returns to the surface with full force. Produções such as “Here” by Robert Zemeckis and “Sinners” by Ryan Coogler utilize advanced digital rejuvenation and modification technologies that challenge traditional notions of performance.
Expert critics and the actors’ union are cautiously observing how Academia will evaluate performances that rely heavily on digital post-production. The central issue revolves around the definition of authorship and artistic merit in an era where the line between the human and the digital becomes increasingly blurred, requiring the organization to establish clear parameters for the future of the competition.
The protest that changed politics on stage
One of the most iconic moments of activism in the history of Oscar occurred in 1973, when Marlon Brando refused the Melhor Ator statuette for his legendary performance in “The Poderoso Chefão”. Instead of taking the stage to receive the glory, Brando sent activist and actress Sacheen Littlefeather in her place. Wearing traditional Apache clothing, she declined the award and spoke about the degrading treatment given to Native Americans by the film and television industry.
The audience’s reaction was mixed, divided between supportive applause and audible boos, creating an atmosphere of tension unprecedented in live broadcasting. The act not only brought global attention to the indigenous cause, but also set a precedent for using the ceremony as a political platform. Academia, feeling the impact of the event, subsequently banned sending representatives to accept awards, changing the protocol for future ceremonies.
Decades later, the institution issued a formal apology to Littlefeather, acknowledging the abuse and discrimination she suffered following the event. The episode stands as a powerful reminder that Oscar never existed in a vacuum, always being susceptible to the pressures and injustices of the real world.
Interruptions and the improvisation of David Niven
The year after the Brando protest, the 1974 ceremony was the scene of a bizarre incident that tested the organizers’ composure. Enquanto the British actor David Niven was preparing to introduce Elizabeth Taylor, a naked man ran across the stage and made the peace sign. The attacker was Robert Opel, a photographer and gay rights activist who managed to bypass security.
Niven’s quick and witty response went down in history. Sem lost his elegance, he commented that it was fascinating to think that the only laugh that man would generate in life would be when he showed his “insufficiencies”. The moment, although comical, raised serious questions about the safety of the event and the vulnerability of the stars on stage, leading to a progressive tightening of protection protocols in the following decades.
The war of aggressive campaigns
The 1999 edition marked an inflection point in the way studios ran their campaigns for Oscar. The victory of “Shakespeare Apaixonado” over the favorite “The Resgate of Soldado Ryan” is largely attributed to the aggressive tactics of The producer invested millions in advertising, dinners and direct pressure on voters, turning the gold rush into a public relations battle.
- Intense lobbying has replaced purely artistic merit as the deciding factor in many categories.
- The surprise victory of Gwyneth Paltrow and the film itself generated lasting resentment in some of the industry.
- Academia was forced to institute stricter rules regarding contact between studios and voting members.
- The term “Oscar campaign” gained a professional and multimillion-dollar connotation that persists to this day.
This event demonstrated that the narrative constructed off-screen could be as important as the film itself. From then on, awards season became a strategic marathon, where the quality of the work often competes with the effectiveness of its marketing team.
Diversity and the hashtag that shook the structure
The lack of representation reached a critical point in 2015 and 2016, when all 20 nominees in the acting categories were white for the second year in a row. The hashtag #OscarsSoWhite went viral on social media, led by activist April Reign, exposing the disconnect between the demographics of Academia — mostly white, male and elderly — and the diversity of audiences and film creators.
Public and media pressure forced the organization to take drastic measures. The then president of Academia, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, announced a historic initiative to double the number of women and people from racial minorities among members by 2020.
The biggest mistake in television history
No moment in the recent history of Oscar surpasses the chaos at the end of the 2017 ceremony. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, film legends, took the stage to present Melhor Filme’s award. Devido due to a protocol error by the auditing company PwC, they were given the wrong envelope — a duplicate of the prize for Melhor Atriz, which had just been won by Emma Stone in “La La Land”.
Upon reading “La La Land”, the musical’s producers took the stage and began their acceptance speeches. Foi It was only halfway through the celebration that the stage crew intervened, revealing that the real winner was “Moonlight”. The image of producer Jordan Horowitz holding the correct card up to the cameras has become iconic.
O incidente resultou em novas medidas de segurança para os envelopes e na proibição do uso de celulares pelos auditores nos bastidores. The confusion, however, stole the moment of glory from the “Moonlight” team, which had its historic victory overshadowed by an unprecedented operational failure.
Physical violence and the creation of crisis teams
The 2022 ceremony will forever be marked by the incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock. Após a joke from the comedian about Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia, Will Smith went on stage and slapped Rock in the face, followed by profane screams when he returned to his seat. The shock in the room and the global audience was immediate, transforming the night into a spectacle of discomfort.
Academia was criticized for her slow reaction, allowing Smith to remain at the event and receive the award from Melhor Ator minutes later. Como consequence, Smith was banned from Academia events for 10 years. The episode led the organization to establish a specialized “Crise Team”, ready to react quickly to any unforeseen events during the live broadcast, recognizing that the standard protocol was not sufficient to deal with highly volatile situations.
Investigations into modern campaigns
More recently, in 2023, the surprise nomination of Andrea Riseborough to Melhor Atriz for the film “To Leslie” raised suspicions about the integrity of the nomination process. A “word of mouth” campaign led by high-profile celebrities and digital influencers, without the financial support of a major studio, managed to place the actress on the final list, ousting the season’s favorites.
Academia opened an investigation to see if lobbying rules had been violated. Embora the nomination was upheld, the case exposed the gray areas of campaigns in the age of social media. Ficou Of course, the power of digital influence and personal connections in Hollywood can be as effective as million-dollar marketing budgets, forcing the institution to review its guidelines again to ensure fairness in the competition.
All of these events converge on the 2026 ceremony, shaping a Academia that attempts to balance tradition with the urgent need for modernization. Past controversies today serve as guideposts for current decisions, ensuring that Oscar remains relevant, even if it will never be completely free from controversy.
