How a Film Wins the Oscar for Best Picture, Explained | Vanity Fair

Every year, films battle it out for the biggest honor of the year, best picture. We broke down how that all plays out. Narrated by Phoebe Mar.
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How a Film Wins the Oscar for Best Picture, Explained | Vanity Fair

[@jatindhyani1996]

She sounds like Saoirse Ronan without the accent.

[@ellavaleyrinneemerald6256]

*Saoirse :)

[@jatindhyani1996]

Oh my, tried my best not to mess up. Thanks though :)

[@ziggygalerty8958]

No she doesn't

[@hot6ygirl943]

cherishyoumylove yeah she do

[@maureendullas2603]

It does sound like her!! Sometimes, there are hints of her accent.

[@wozz7771]

“Remove your superhero movies” apparently black panther didnt get the memo

[@raben8840]

@Costa Zambaras Agree!

[@alejandrogonzalezcastillo2008]

@Costa Zambaras No it wasn't. Blade was the first one, and quite popular and well received by critics.

[@jaynajera2819]

Thinking jokers a hero, nah he a villain

[@freshcola6301]

(2019) Joker : "AM I A JOKE TO YOU??"

[@thedeepfriar745]

Costa Zambaras you don’t see that as something culturally significant?

[@vighneshpillai7996]

You missed a rule..."DON'T LET CHRISTOPHER NOLAN AND DAVID FINCHER WIN"

[@MarvelMex]

well.... nolan is overrated

[@sameerahmed-gx8js]

MarvelMex agree.....

[@sameerahmed-gx8js]

Vighnesh Pillai replace nolan with paul thomas anderson

[@rahulsaran836]

Davin Fincher is underrated!

[@bootao1671]

@@MarvelMex well.... he is not

[@Hussein_Nur]

Wow. Thats a lot of people watching movies for a living lol

[@cinephilelove_1113]

Not a bad job though lol!

[@lopezfan24]

Hussein Nour some of the Academy members have admitted that they have not seen all the best picture nominees one year.

[@moviefan700]

Best job in the world!

[@CatMoca]

Lol they don’t even need to watch or screen the movie to vote

[@hassannour1697]

Hussein Nour i knew some day I'm going to find you in the comment section, & what a video to find you in

[@rizzofromIndo]

surprisingly GOOD video, Vanity Fair!! Well made and done!

[@whitewalker608]

I agree!

[@abrilmustdie2339]

parasite (2019) for best picture and that’s on period update: my mind literally my mind >>

[@leonardomagnus6762]

This guy gets it

[@abrilmustdie2339]

Some Guy its a foreing film and what about it ?

[@wandan98]

An intellectual I see...

[@papacinoooo]

no mate, his previous films are way much better! swear to god!!!have u seen them?

[@igorbeder8946]

@@abrilmustdie2339 Never have an international film won Best Picture..It really makes you think if the oscars are truly about recognizing amazing movies, if it`s even fair... Parasite should definitely win this year and, to me, it`ll be kind of a `snub` if they don`t

[@CitizenDevi]

Rule #1: Snub Jake Gyllenhaal

[@hoganholo99]

Rule #2: snub Robert Pattinson.

[@sweettea4299]

I watched his latest film, stronger. Honestly, it's not even that great.

[@fatima_hussein]

Rule#2: Snub Edward Norton...

[@sweettea4299]

Alberto Ramirez - Maybe you should be the members in Academy. Since apparently you know better.

[@CitizenDevi]

Sweet Tea I thought his and Tatiana Maslany's performances were easily Oscar worthy.

[@loynjuryllgulpany4778]

Steps for being nominated for Best Picture: 1. Make a dramatic movie about real life events or fictional stories. 2. Make a biblical epic with a very serious tone. 3. Cast Meryll Streep 4. Make a war movie 5. Don't make a comedy, sci-fi, thriller, horror or any other genre films besides drama. Anything else?

[@bastianl9163]

Well you forgot that there were sci-fi, horror, fantasy and comedy movies that got nominated before Ex. Horror: Get Out, The Sixth Sense, The Silence of the Lambs (this won best picture), The Exorcist, Fatal Atraction (This one is more suspense) Sci-Fi: The Shape of Water (Won best picture), Avatar, Star Wars, E.T., District 9, Arrival, The Martian, Mad Max Fantasy: Avatar, Lord of the Rings III (Won best picture). Comedy: Lady Bird, Moonstruck, Little Miss Sunshine, As Good as it Gets, Birdman (Won best picture) The Grand Budapest Hotel

[@loynjuryllgulpany4778]

@@amazingjay3957 yep well said

[@loynjuryllgulpany4778]

@@bastianl9163 yes they got nominated but most of the time they don't get nominated for some reason

[@screwcollege8474]

so basically only 4 winners, and out of the last 25 years or so (i'm assuming). So in other words, they only let drama/history films win with only a few exceptions like Lord of the Rings and some lucky winners (eg. The shape of water) so basically Nolan is never gonna win a best picture because almost all of his movies are sci-fi.

[@loynjuryllgulpany4778]

@@screwcollege8474 yep

[@sdprz7893]

You forgot to include the bribing part

[@devil_potatogaming3101]

Lol

[@unknownunknowns]

Harvey Weinstein

[@sandrobengoa8330]

i dont think koreans bribed anyone

[@karanraghavan9069]

@@sandrobengoa8330 true

[@pavitrajain8311]

@@sandrobengoa8330 parasite is a deserving film but the only reason they gave the the award to show they how neutral they are for example take best animated film this year how toy story4 can win for me this movie was just boring and a money making film for the studio

[@7taildragon]

More like this please......

[@cryptgaming1290]

OMG No reply for a comment which has over 600 likes lol

[@flashyfantail5665]

At no point did " Make a good film" enter into the conversation on how to win best picture, that sums up the oscars right there.

[@simonegreco1958]

Bad movies don’t go to festivals

[@dylanlastname6784]

simonegreco I’d like to point out that the Boss Baby was nominated for an Oscar

[@simonegreco1958]

Dylan Lastname I’m aware (sadly) but the Oscar are not a festival

[@JohnNobody_]

@@simonegreco1958 Bohemian rhapsody was there for best editing. But it's actually great example for filmmaking students to really understand what's worst editing.

[@czarhansjericho]

Parasite for Best Picture 2020

[@marrqi7wini54]

It will definitely win best foreign for sure. But it does have some competition too. I'm more of a wait and see guy.

[@giannagaytan126]

Marrqi7 wini I hope joker wins. But seeing how controversial it was taken by the academy I’m not sure

[@manuelguadalupegiljacobo5274]

Ummm nope.

[@czarhansjericho]

@@manuelguadalupegiljacobo5274 Ummm yes

[@cumsuki8390]

i believe 1917 will win best picture but for me parasite is the best movie of 2019

[@ir5650]

February 9th, 2020 the first non-English film wins best picture: Parasite

[@lampham5525]

The silent movie like The artist have something to say with it.

[@muhammadnorhanif]

Best actor: Joaquin Phoenix Best picture: Parasite

[@amanms1999]

Best director- Sam Mendes Best original screenplay- Parasite Best adapted screenplay- The Irishman Best actress- Scarlett Johansson Best supporting actor- Joe Pesci/Brad Pitt Best supporting actress- Laura Dern

[@joeya5147]

@@amanms1999 theres no way Scarlett wins best actress, i'ts impossible. If she has a shot its best suporting, but even thats not gonna happen.

[@oscarsrealm]

Joker should have won best picture

[@moexilla]

Now I know why Christopher Nolen's movie never win anything. Nolen should go to one of these festivals if he wants to win an Oscar.

[@patcurrie7733]

Dunkirk was amazin, but lots of competition.

[@Alchamei]

No, I don't want his movies to win just because of the best campaign, I want his movies to win because they are best of the field. I want Dunkirk or CMBYN to win this year.

[@patcurrie7733]

3 Billboards or Shape for the win, or Dunkirk. Justice served for Shape of Water. Just saying. James Ivory got the solo CMBYN adapted screenplay just cuz he was overdue.

[@jackdonohue7893]

But his movies are more blockbuster action type... like Inception, Interstellar and even Dunkirk. Which is said in the video, normally don’t win.

[@therandompandaman4521]

Or he makes a film that deserves an Oscar. He may win if he does that.

[@mlgeater8557]

I honestly hate how political the oscars got. The oscars should be about the best movies and not just a movie that fits their agenda.

[@MrGogogirl321]

but movies are inherently about social circumstance, so if that's what the current climate suggests, shouldn't we be talking about that across different forms of media?

[@sayeedkhalshi]

Movies are political.

[@malayagr]

Films always have an agenda. If a film doesn't have an agenda, it's mindless entertainment and nothing else. Films are meant to be mirrors for society.

[@jackdonohue7893]

But most of the time those movies are the best

[@MrPtrlix]

I don't think the point was that movies have become too political; but that the criteria for being a good movie has gotten too political.

[@pdzombie1906]

So, just like in politics, it's not about who's the best but who's got the best campaign!!!

[@unknownunknowns]

Harvey Weinstein

[@margaridacorreia1473]

Please, more videos like this!!

[@jay_rjabonillo9908]

agree.

[@vishalshinde5252]

Vouching for Call Me By Your Name. Stands way above anything I've seen this year.

[@stephen9609]

Let me guess, another Timothee fanboy/fangirl?...

[@vishalshinde5252]

Stephen D Have you even seen the movie yet?

[@stephen9609]

yes I've seen all the best picture nominees and there is no way that CMBYN deserves to win it.

[@emigrant1510]

I've seen 8/9. The CMBYN fanbase needs to chill out. Especially considering it statistically has no chances of winning.

[@adamselwyn5979]

Stephen D bs CMBYN is one of the 2-3 pictures that actually deserves the award but it won't win

[@SunnyBear]

that was smoooth VF. 06:06 "you get the picture"

[@mmx123]

Sunny Bear It was so smooth, I didn't even notice😂😂

[@STUFFMAN54]

So superhero movies can’t be Oscar quality? This is why films like Logan and The Dark Knight can’t get recognized for their brilliance

[@RoninDurey]

Logan got a highly undeserved screenplay nomination this year. Anything more than that would have been ridiculous.

[@auzrielle]

Jojo Ashun nope. Oscars focus on dramas 99.9% of the time

[@STUFFMAN54]

Khristina Raglin Logan is a drama

[@auzrielle]

Jojo Ashun yes but it involves a superhero. Birdman won Best picture but it’s different than Logan. Oscars focus on war, family issues, identity issues, coming of age type stuff.

[@STUFFMAN54]

Khristina Raglin I know you mean well, if you’ve watched Logan you’d know that it IS about family issues, mortality, purpose and legacy. The way it explores those themes are some of the Best I’ve seen last year. And in my opinion it’s a bit of a travesty that a film like Logan gets overlooked because it has wolverine, and a decent movie in my opinion I, Tonya is getting more buzz

[@xxSeanVxx]

So it's not about making a good movie. Interesting.

[@jesusrebolledo5713]

birdman is what this video doesnt explain so there you have it

[@jesusrebolledo5713]

@Fred T the opposite my friend, It's better than most

[@artpal7084]

really curious about the processes that takes place in this kind of events.... this is so educating.... more please !!!

[@jdbruiser]

Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel-Day Lewis in Phantom Thread) officially hates this narrator for saying "Chic".

[@serena3939]

Thank you for this very clear and informative explanation! It’s so important that film and processes like these feel accessible to all those interested rather than just an elite few!

[@GingerGamingandStuff]

Hate be that guy but Titanic premiered in November 1997, right in the heart of Oscar Season. So it couldn’t be considered a “early Oscar Contender”

[@VicInCommentSection]

This is a very well done video. It has excellent narration, engaging graphics, and perfect examples that do not overwhelm the video itself.

[@moviefan700]

I attended TIFF in 2015. Amazing experience. So many movies and movie lovers.

[@Aryamwuwuw_]

The Shape of Water actually premiered at Venice, not Telluride. It won the Golden Lion.

[@kinlawkounts578]

You forgot to mention.....it suuuuuuuucked. (No problem. I gotcha covered. You're welcome.)

[@Candoreable]

@@kinlawkounts578 No, it didn't.

[@kinlawkounts578]

@@Candoreable Uh huuhhh.

[@mirandahazel1703]

@@kinlawkounts578 I thought it was really good. Why didn't you like it lol

[@jacobboe7711]

It was beautiful. How could you say it sucked!?

[@sirharrypotter24]

Excellent video! Very informative! Had a lot of fun watching it! Make more like this please!

[@allwellallgood5947]

i love the production of this video. great writing, great comedic time, great narrator 😊

[@wordsinahandle]

Preferential ballot may prove beneficial for Nolan.

[@dwightschrute3721]

CineFix

[@giorgosvasiliou7773]

it certainly did for spotlight and moonlight

[@megamoviez]

N N Del Toro is getting it

[@saiashwin26]

thats only for best picture, not for best director

[@unknownunknowns]

Or Harvey Weinstein.

[@theManaen]

Have you ever been to a film festival? They are not a "few short days." They are a few of the longest days of your life lol. Attending screenings all day is not what anyone would define a "short day."

[@trollface865]

Manaen Hall which one did you go to? I’ve been to Venice this year and that was awesome

[@dorianacambria2405]

True lol. You arrive at the end of the day that you saw at least 2 or 3 films in a row and you're eyes are burning ahahah, but that's the good part tho, you just live in a cinema for a few days

[@jaelsosa]

Doriana Cambria what is it like?

[@strayves5578]

Troll Face how much do you have to pay to go?

[@Ally-ld5ot]

*"And the award goes to...."* *"PARASITE"*

[@hanna9149]

The narrator sounds like Saoirse Ronan

[@chloehowerth]

This was very informative and concise thanks!

[@andrewirwin8307]

This was a really good tutorial! I'm going to go try it. I'll let you now how I do!

[@taraainunadila9134]

Well that means, parasite is definitely a strong contender

[@kevinbachman6578]

Concise and informative. Well done!

[@saimak7171]

Love this.

[@itshassanaskari]

0:11- 0:16 literally the Bollywood industry in a nutshell.

[@civichoo6017]

Good video, but I would've liked the video to have touched on genre. There's been a lot of talk between "The Shape of Water" and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" winning Best Picture. The Academy is notoriously allergic to sci-fi, and for that reason I think "Three Billboards" is going to win. (We'll see how this prediction holds up.) Few fantasy and sci-fi movies have ever gotten serious consideration at the Oscars. These include "The Lord of the Rings" (with "The Return of the King" obviously winning Best Picture), "The Wizard of Oz" (which lost to "Gone with the Wind"), "It's a Wonderful Life" (which lost to "The Best Years of Our Lives"), and "Star Wars: A New Hope" (which lost to "Annie Hall"). The Academy is also averse to comedy and thrillers. Thus, some of the best films ever made-including "Vertigo," "Rear Window," "Some Like It Hot," "2001: A Space Odyssey," "North by Northwest," and "Singin' in the Rain"-did not even receive nominations for Best Picture. It should be pretty clear that if you want to make a movie that's going to win Best Picture, there are certain genres you shouldn't touch.

[@samimorcos]

Immanuel Chioco interesting observation in scifi not winning, but curious if you have watched the movie before commenting. Because the science fiction element of the movie is not important .. If you know what I mean..(if you have watched it, would like to know your opinion, if not then that explains)

[@candidnarrator]

Well You see your prediction got proven wrong at last with shape of water winning the academy award

[@TimeIdle]

Thorough and succinct summary!

[@charliewalsh6890]

congratulations to whoever made this video. Very informative and entertaining as well

[@twilightxseo]

Amazing. Thank you.

[@thebeastly2028]

Dunkirk and Blade Runner 2049 were the best films of 2017 imo. Such master class cinematography.

[@c4m37on2]

but it does make best cinematography award!

[@edgardocerda4045]

the best one was definitely three billboards

[@lonewolfgamingplus379]

Blade Runner 2049 won in that subject. Nuff said. It was a piece of art.

[@MichaelTPaulo]

Don’t you hate it when u go with ur friends to see such a masterful films like blade runner or Dunkirk and they just don’t get it and they hate the story...it’s not about the story it’s what is buried underneath it. I’m glad that I have people like you that understands the beauty of filmmaking...I’m 14..no one in my family or friends get the beauty

[@jackdonohue7893]

Edgardo Cerda or Shape of Water.

[@violetasnchzz]

Incredibly well explained 👏🏻

[@judeurban1456]

This is probably the best video I have seen in the past 7 minutes and 53 seconds in my life.

[@LadyRowena30]

Phoebe your voice is soothing 😊

[@sarahwalter7198]

It also depends on if the producers push the movie

[@khalifazman394]

I NEEDED THIS VIDEO

[@FaFa4Real]

that's a great great video..! this is so realistic and I think that's 100% true thank you for this fully information video !

[@LukasDiSparrowOfficial]

love watching youtube tutorials. I might try this next year. Thanks for your help. I will mention you in my speech.

[@Polo-rp9hk]

Her delivery is everything

[@marianat2830]

We need more videos like this!!!!

[@hoshie1328]

A well done explanation!!

[@javierheras2327]

Interesting video, although inaccurate: 'The shape of water' premiered in Venice, not in Telluride.

[@tianxiaozhang]

Good stuff!

[@LucenProject]

This was super informative! Thanks! 7:50 What's the song that starts playing near the end?

[@mabelrocs]

This is such a good video, looking forward for more like this :)

[@bleuboiboj]

The Shape of Water premiered at Venice, not Telluride.. And wasn't Get Out released as early as February last year?

[@StinkySundae]

First foreign film to win best picture will be Parasite

[@SX1995able]

A French movie won that already

[@MagicalKid]

@@SX1995able First foreign 'Language' film.

[@disneydisney1490]

Can you give me lotto numbers dude

[@santiagomarin9778]

Awesome video, I didn't know that until now

[@natalymartinez5907]

Great video!! we need more videos like this! great video Vanity Fair! :)

[@linaaviles430]

I’m rooting for The Shape of Water or Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri

[@toyang..]

i wish i'd be able to attend a film festival someday :(

[@sad-7477]

Tiff! I live in Toronto super close to it I went there on field trip it’s amazing

[@ahmedalobaidi5653]

Very well done! 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@pia7853]

can you make a video how do they find about forigen movis. And how do they nominate them.

[@simonstadin]

Basically, each country nominates their entry and sends it to the Academy, who then narrow it down to a few nominees

[@ori90097]

I can hear your voice everyday all day

[@jay_rjabonillo9908]

precised yet articulate.

[@emmachoupinou]

Ver informative and absolutely well made ! Great job Vanity Fair, only hope to see more of these videos

[@whatthefisfilipinx]

Parasite brought me here!

[@justintai879]

The shape of water winning best picture is such a bruh moment

[@reverendkilljoy3447]

Very well explained!

[@zackcross7190]

I think the award season is good for regular movie goers, because it allows them to gain interest in movies they never would have heard of.

[@surematch]

the shape of warter premiered at venice film festiva, not telluride

[@allisontucker9874]

I’m surprised there hasn’t been an animated movie that has won Best Picture There have only been 3 animated movies that were nominated for best picture Beauty and The Beast, Up, and Toy Story 3

[@dayususani9808]

Great vid! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@greattvshows452]

Excellent explanation!

[@yashbhatnagar7913]

Shape of Water won the best picture too. Not just nominated. :)

[@aznwilly8013]

'Call me by your name,' i say!

[@kranthhicools]

thanks awesome explanation

[@wackymacky6507]

very informative!

[@reyskywaka3202]

remember when everyone predicted green book in the comments last year lol

[@huntrrams]

I love this kind of videos! Could you do how a film becomes a cult following?

[@Ag4m3r]

Fantastic presentation!

[@jenniferwbu]

Great video! Now I want more stuff like these :)

[@InspireMe819]

and the oscar goes to: parasite

[@TheTriangleOffense47]

This whole video felt so.... elitist

[@yixiangharry]

This video just won best explanation award!

[@pablojpadilla9460]

Had no idea! Thanks VF!

[@elmantishrimp1689]

Really happy for The Shape Of Water

[@aqjunior]

The Shape of Water won Venice last year.. so that’s where it premiered and not in Telluride!

[@Nooely]

I think Vanity Fair should win a oscar for best quality KZbin videos

[@LukeAlexander]

this was great!

[@scriptsupervisor]

MOONLIGHT!! Woo glad they won

[@lucanreynolds1341]

L MV Amazing film but should've been Machester By The Sea

[@emigrant1510]

Manchester By The Sea and Moonlight were my favorite films of 2016. I don't think there would have been something with either winning.

[@mirunahodo4573]

L MV yeees amazing movie!everything was perfect,every scene...and trevante is uhhhh so good

[@radenmchaerul2006]

L MV mehhhh

[@pikapo16]

Lucan Reynolds imo Moonlight is even better

[@andyrew-park]

Oh so this is how parasite got best picture

[@parthabhattacharya7305]

Parasite deserved it.

[@traviswooten5872]

Nice breakdown.

[@rickycollins7723]

This was great!