Academy Award for Best Picture

The Academy Award for Best Picture, part of the Oscars, has been handed out annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since the first ceremony on May 16, 1929. The prize is given to the film’s producers, and it stands as the only category where every Academy member can both nominate and vote on the final ballot. Traditionally saved for the ceremony’s closing moment, it is widely regarded as the night’s top honor.

Since 2002, the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood has hosted the awards, and the columns of its Grand Staircase display every Best Picture winner. To date, 621 films have been nominated, with 98 taking the prize.

History

Category name changes At the inaugural ceremony in 1929 (honoring films from 1927–1928), two top awards existed: “Outstanding Picture” (won by the war epic Wings) and “Unique and Artistic Picture” (won by the art film Sunrise). Each was meant to recognize different but equally important aspects of filmmaking. The Jazz Singer was disqualified from both because its synchronized sound made it a unique case; the Academy gave it an honorary award instead.

The following year, the “Unique and Artistic Picture” category was dropped, and Wings was retroactively deemed the highest honor. Synchronized sound films were then allowed to compete.

1927/28–1928/29: Academy Award for Outstanding Picture 1929/30–1940: Academy Award for Outstanding Production 1941–1943: Academy Award for Outstanding Motion Picture 1944–1961: Academy Award for Best Motion Picture 1962–present: Academy Award for Best Picture

Recipients Until 1950, the award went to a representative of the production company. That year, the rule changed so that all credited producers received it. In 1999, after Shakespeare in Love had five credited producers, a maximum of three recipients was set.

Current rules limit recipients to those with a screen credit of “producer” or “produced by” (excluding titles like executive producer, co-producer, or associate producer). No more than three producers who performed the majority of producing functions may receive the award. A team of up to two people can count as a single “producer” if they have an established partnership recognized by the Producers Guild of America.