Why the Oscars still matter ^{CEFR B1}

The 98th Academy Awards will be presented on March 15. Television viewership for the Oscars has fallen from a peak in 1998 to much lower numbers in recent years, but the awards remain influential in film culture.

David Tarleton, professor of film and chair of the film and media arts department at Syracuse University, explains that an Oscar win or even a nomination often raises box office and industry opportunities. He says a win can mean doubling a person’s salary or more for their next project. For many actors and filmmakers, that recognition explains a great deal of later success.

Tarleton notes how small films can gain wide attention through the Oscars; for example, the 2022 film Everything Everywhere All At Once began as a small project and went on to win seven Oscars. He also points out changing habits: people now watch for red carpet fashion, memes, or highlights rather than only for the films themselves.

The Academy is adapting by adding categories, adjusting pacing for social media, and broadening membership so non-English films appear more often. Whether these steps will attract younger viewers is still unclear.