85th Academy Awards — award ceremony presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for achievement in filmmaking in 2012
The 85th Academy Awards marked the first time the ceremony officially adopted 'The Oscars' as its name, drawing over 40 million U.S. viewers.
Key Facts
- Ceremony date
- February 24, 2013
- Venue
- Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles
- Best Picture winner
- Argo (3 awards total)
- Most awards (single film)
- Life of Pi (4 awards)
- U.S. television viewers
- More than 40 million
- Categories awarded
- 24
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Each year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes outstanding achievement in filmmaking. The eligible films of 2012 were evaluated by AMPAS members, generating nominations across 24 competitive categories ahead of the February 2013 ceremony.
On February 24, 2013, the 85th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Hosted by Seth MacFarlane and produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the show was broadcast on ABC. It was the first ceremony to officially use 'The Oscars' as its name. Argo claimed Best Picture, Life of Pi led with four wins, and Les Misérables and Argo each took three.
Argo's Best Picture win was notable as the first since Driving Miss Daisy for a film whose director was not nominated. The telecast attracted more than 40 million U.S. viewers, reflecting broad public engagement, and the formal adoption of 'The Oscars' branding represented a lasting shift in the ceremony's official identity.