Winning an Oscar is the ultimate dream for anyone in the film industry, whether an actor, director, or producer. Considered the highest career milestone, the Oscars immortalize an artist’s name in film history. A nomination alone can turn a struggling artist into an overnight sensation, opening doors that were once bolted shut. But, like all things gilded, the Academy Awards have their fair share of scandal, snubs, and side-eyes.

Most Oscar watchers have no idea who really pulls the strings, if winners earn their gold, or if fans have any say, but the truth is more intriguing than you think.

The Oscars are no chaotic free-for-all. An entire Academy, grandly named the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, holds the keys to the kingdom. Seventeen branches, each filled with industry insiders, vote for their own kind, actors for actors, directors for directors, and so forth. Best Picture, however, is decided by the entire Academy. Enter Parasite as an example, the film that sliced through Hollywood’s traditions like a well-placed knife. Bong Joon-ho’s darkly comedic masterpiece did not just win, it swept. With the Academy’s preferential voting system, it consistently ranked at the top of ballots outpacing the likes of 1917 and Joker. 

While fans do not get a direct vote, their influence is undeniable. Online buzz, box office success, and social media campaigns can push a film into the spotlight, making it harder for voters to ignore. For instance, Parasite gained momentum through word of mouth, dominating film festivals before expanding worldwide. 

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Fans rally and campaign, but when the winners are revealed and their favorites are missing, they find them overshadowed by unforeseen factors and agendas.

Fans have repeatedly watched their favorites get overlooked as the Academy prioritizes industry politics, strategic campaigning, and traditional preferences. The Oscars have come under fire multiple times, Citizen Kane lost in 1942 despite its legacy, Brokeback Mountain was controversially snubbed in 2006, and the 2017 La La Land-Moonlight mix-up exposed the ceremony’s flaws. While fan support can create buzz, Oscar victories are ultimately shaped by insider influence, voting patterns, and lobbying, leaving audience preferences secondary to industry dynamics.

While fan enthusiasm can amplify a film’s chances, the final decision rests with the Academy. Still, eager fans are already searching for how and where to watch the Oscars 2025, proving that, despite the controversies, the magic of the Oscars endures.

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What films have you pinned down your hopes down for this Oscars season? Let us know in the comments down below and see if your predictions come true.