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The Oscars are this Sunday. Here are 9 things to know

ORLANDO, Fla. — Break out the tuxedos and glamorous dresses, because the 95th Academy Awards is upon us.

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The Oscars air LIVE Sunday at 8 p.m. Sunday on WFTV Channel 9, with Red Carpet coverage before.

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If you want to watch the telecast with an audience, Enzian, the independent theater in Maitland, will host a free watch party on the big screen.

Before the envelopes are opened and the little gold men are handed out, here are 9 things to know about this year’s ceremony and its nominees.

  • Everything Everywhere All At Once” leads the pack with 11 nominations, including Best Picture.
  • Michelle Yeoh is the first Asian nominated for Best Actress for her role in “Everything Everywhere All At Once.”

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  • The Best Actor race is made up entirely of first-time nominees: Austin Butler for “Elvis,” Colin Farrell for “The Banshees of Inisherin,” Brendan Fraser for “The Whale,” Paul Mescal for “Aftersun” and Bill Nighy for “Living.” This is the first time that’s happened since 1935, the 7th Academy Awards.
  • The film “All Quiet on the Western Front,” is the first German-language film nominated for Best Picture. It is a remake of the 1930 film of the same name, which also broke ground as the first Best Picture winner based on a novel.

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  • Legendary composer John Williams is nominated for his work on the Steven Spielberg film “The Fabelmans.” At 90, he is the oldest Academy Award nominee, and he is the most-nominated living person with 53 nods.
  • This years marks the first time two sequels have been nominated for Best Picture, being “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Avatar: The Way of Water.”
  • Jimmy Kimmel returns as the host for the third time. The last time he hosted, 2018, was also the last time the Oscars featured a solo host. Among this year’s presenters are Halle Berry, Harrison Ford, Kate Hudson, Mindy Kaling, Pedro Pascal and John Travolta.

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  • New protocols have been put into place following last year’s infamous slap involving Will Smith and Chris Rock. This year, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences previously shared they will have a “crisis team” on standby for any issues. Smith has been banned from appearing at the Oscars ceremony for 10 years.
  • Major controversy this year surrounded Best Actress nominee Andrea Riseborough for her role in “To Leslie,” which led to an investigation by the Board of Governors into campaign procedures. There was no reason found to rescind her nomination.

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.