Everything You Need to Know About the 97th Academy Awards

The 97th Academy Awards will be broadcast live on RTÉ for the first time.

The biggest night in Hollywood is just around the corner, as the Oscars will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles tomorrow night.

The ceremony will kick off at 12 AM Irish time. This year may have limited Irish interest, but late-night television host Conan O'Brien, who has Irish-American heritage, will host the awards for the very first time.

This awards season has been one of the most unpredictable in the last decade, and attention will be on Hollywood to see who takes home the coveted Oscars.

This year, The Journal will provide all the latest updates during the ceremony.

How to Watch the Oscars

The Academy Awards ceremony will be broadcast live on RTÉ One and available on the RTÉ Player starting at 12 AM. Previously, the rights to the live broadcast in Ireland and the UK were held by Sky, but that contract ended last year, allowing RTÉ to secure both the live show and the highlights program for the first time. Highlights from the Oscars will also air on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player on Monday at 9:30 PM.

Best Picture Nominees

This year's nominees for Best Picture include two films that could hardly be more different: a gritty black comedy about a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, and an elegant drama that centers on the election of a new Pope in the Vatican.

Currently, Anora and Conclave are major contenders for the award. The full list of Best Picture nominees is:

• Anora
• The Brutalist
• A Complete Unknown
• Conclave
• Dune: Part Two
• Emilia Pérez
• I’m Still Here
• Nickel Boys
• The Substance
• Wicked

Anora won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival last May and has received multiple awards from directors, producers, and critics. In contrast, Conclave has gained momentum, winning key awards at the BAFTAs and the Screen Actors Guild. If another film is to surprise us, it may be The Brutalist, a story about a Hungarian Jewish architect starting anew in post-WWII America.

Acting Categories

Adrien Brody is favored to win Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist after winning multiple awards, including the Golden Globe. However, Timothée Chalamet, who won at the SAGs for A Complete Unknown, poses significant competition. Other nominees include Ralph Fiennes, Colman Domingo, and Sebastian Stan.

The Best Actress race seems to be between Mikey Madison for Anora and Demi Moore for The Substance. Nominees also include Cynthia Erivo, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Fernanda Torres.

Kieran Culkin is highly expected to take home Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain, while Zoe Saldaña is favored for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Emilia Pérez.

Performances at the Ceremony

This year's ceremony will feature performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who will perform songs from Wicked. Other confirmed performers include Doja Cat, Lisa of Blackpink, Queen Latifah, and Raye, along with a special appearance by the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

Irish Hopefuls at the Oscars

The film The Apprentice, produced by an Irish company, has nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, but a win may be difficult. On the other hand, Lisburn-native Nick Emerson has a solid chance in the Best Film Editing category for his work on Conclave, especially after winning the BAFTA earlier this month. His competition includes nominees from films like Anora and The Brutalist.

Oscars, Academy, Awards, Film