Pictured - The cost of making an Oscar is 650 times its symbolic price // Photo: gettyimages.com.
The Oscar statuette has been the most prestigious in world cinema for almost 100 years and symbolizes the recognition of the film community.
Symbolic price
Since 1950, Oscar winners have been obliged to sign an agreement under which they have no right to sell the statuette without a prior offer from the American Film Academy. The Academy, in turn, has the right to buy the statuette for $1. The agreement and the symbolic price are still in force today.
Making an award costs much more than $1. “Oscars” are made of bronze, and the top is covered with 24-karat gold. According to the publication “Parade” (USA), the cost of manufacturing is about $650. The actual market value of the trophy is not disclosed due to a strict rule.
History of the origin of the name
The Academy Award Of Merit (The Academy Award Of Merit), issued since 1929, began to be called “Oscar” in the 30s of XX century. There is a legend that Margaret Garrick, the Academy’s librarian, supposedly joked that the back of the statuette resembled her bald uncle Oscar. The joke quickly went viral in Hollywood. The title had an informal status at first, becoming official in 1939.
The major contenders in 2026
Logos Press previously reported Logos Press previously reported that the leader and absolute record holder in the number of nominations is Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” (“Sinners”). Folk-horror received 16 nominations out of a possible 17, including “Best Film”, “Best Director”, “Best Actor”, “Best Screenplay” and others.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is the second most nominated film. It will compete for prizes in 13 nominations. According to predictions, the fight for the main nominations will unfold between these two films.
In total, statuettes will be awarded to the winners in 24 categories, six of which are not related to the contenders in the main categories – “Best International Feature Film”, “Best Animated Feature Film”, “Best Feature Documentary”, “Best Short Feature Film”, “Best Short Documentary” and “Best Animated Short Film”.
