The 98th Academy Awards ceremony has begun at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, with veteran talk show host Conan O'Brien taking the stage as master of ceremonies for the first time. The annual event, which celebrates the best achievements in film over the past year, opened with O'Brien delivering a string of sharp comedic monologues that drew laughter from the star-studded audience. Millions of viewers around the world tuned in to watch the glittering event unfold on what is widely regarded as the biggest night in the global film industry.
Several Australian talents featured prominently on the red carpet and among the night's nominees, with actors Rose Byrne and Jacob Elordi both receiving recognition for their performances over the past year. Byrne, a Sydney-born actress with a career spanning more than two decades, attended as a nominee alongside Perth-raised Elordi, who has risen to international fame through both independent and major studio productions. The ceremony also attracted a who's who of global cinema, with hundreds of nominees, presenters, and industry figures gathering at the iconic Hollywood Boulevard venue.
The Academy Awards have served as the pinnacle of recognition in the motion picture industry since the first ceremony was held in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Australia has a long and proud history at the Oscars, with past winners including Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Geoffrey Rush, and Heath Ledger, whose posthumous award in 2009 remains one of the most memorable moments in the event's history. The selection of O'Brien as host marked a return to a traditional single-host format after several years of experimentation with multiple presenters and no-host broadcasts.
Industry figures expressed excitement about the Australian presence at this year's ceremony, with Screen Australia highlighting the growing international profile of homegrown talent. O'Brien's hosting style earned early praise from critics and audience members alike, with many noting his ability to balance sharp political humour with genuine affection for the craft of filmmaking. Attendees and commentators described the atmosphere inside the Dolby Theatre as electric, with anticipation building ahead of the major award categories later in the evening.
The outcome of the ceremony is expected to have significant implications for the Australian film industry, with strong performances by local nominees likely to boost investment and international interest in local productions. Award recipients will see immediate surges in audience attention and streaming demand for their winning films in the weeks following the event. The ceremony is scheduled to continue through the evening Los Angeles time, with the coveted Best Picture award traditionally announced as the final honour of the night.