what is an oscar

The Oscars, also known as the Academy Awards, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the film industry. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), in recognition of excellence in cinematic achievements as assessed by the Academys voting membership. The major award categories are presented during a live televised Hollywood ceremony that is typically held in February or March. The Oscar statuette, which is the most recognized award in the world, depicts a knight rendered in the Art Deco style. The awards were first presented in 1929, and winners receive a gold-plated statuette commonly called Oscar. The categories for which the awards are given include best picture, actor, actress, supporting actor, supporting actress, directing, original screenplay, adapted screenplay, cinematography, production design, editing, original score, original song, costume design, makeup and hairstyling, sound mixing, sound editing, visual effects, foreign-language film, animated feature film, and more.