Oscars 2026: What Is the Academy Award of Merit? Interesting Facts About The Iconic Trophy

The 98th Academy Awards will celebrate the best films of 2025 on March 15 in Los Angeles. On this special occasion, take a look at some interesting facts about the Academy Award of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars. The famous golden statuette is officially called the Academy Award of Merit. While people commonly call it the Oscar. The award is presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to honour excellence in filmmaking. During World War II, the statues were made of painted plaster for three years due to metal shortage. The nickname “Oscar” became popular in the 1930s. One popular story says an Academy librarian remarked the statuette resembled her Uncle Oscar, and the name eventually stuck. The Oscars are considered the highest honour in the film industry. The first Academy Awards ceremony was in 1929. Oscar winners cannot freely sell their statuette. Since 1951, they must first offer it back to the Academy for $1 before selling it to anyone else. Why Does the Academy Award For ‘Best International Feature Film’ Still Remain Out of India’s Reach?