Each year, as the Oscars approach, the atmosphere is filled with excitement as studios promote their nominees, actors engage in “For your consideration” campaigns, and experts speculate on who will win, right up until the event.

However, the initial Academy Awards had a different vibe: The ceremony occurred three months after the winners were revealed.

Academy president Douglas Fairbanks hosted the event on May 16, 1929, where golden statuettes designed by MGM art director Cedric Gibbons were awarded in 12 competitive categories (alongside two special awards) honoring the best films of 1927 and 1928.

With the 97th Academy Awards set for March 2, here’s what film enthusiasts should know about the first Oscars:

Where did the first Oscars take place?

The inaugural Academy Awards were held in the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. The event had a more intimate dinner-party atmosphere compared to today’s grand celebrations. It had 270 attendees, with tickets sold for $5 each (contrasting with a quarter for a movie ticket). Notably, this was the only Oscars ceremony that didn’t have any broadcast. Due to the popularity of the 1929 banquet, a local radio station later broadcast the second Oscars live on April 3, 1930.

Which film won best picture at the first Oscars?

The film “Wings,” featuring Charles “Buddy” Rogers and Richard Arlen as World War I pilots and Clara Bow as their love interest, received the award for “outstanding picture” (which would later be called best picture) and also won for best engineering effects. It holds the distinction of being the only silent film to win the highest award.

“Sunrise,” directed by F.W. Murnau, which portrays a city woman (Margaret Livingston) attempting to convince a farmer (George O’Brien) to murder his wife (Janet Gaynor), earned three Oscars, tying it with “7th Heaven.” “Sunrise” notably won the award for best unique and artistic picture, which was eliminated the following year when the Academy streamlined its categories to seven.

Fun fact: Both “Wings” and “Sunrise” are available for streaming on Tubi.

Who were the first best actor and best actress Academy Award winners?

During the inaugural Oscars, winners could be recognized for performances in one film, multiple works, or their overall contributions. Janet Gaynor received the best actress award for her roles in “Sunrise,” “7th Heaven,” and “Street Angel” – she was nominated again in 1938 for the first “A Star Is Born.”

Best actor went to Emil Jannings, a Swiss-German actor, for his performances in “The Last Command” and “The Way of All Flesh.” He later appeared in 1930’s “The Blue Angel” alongside Marlene Dietrich but did not act in Hollywood post-World War II due to his involvement in Nazi propaganda films.

Which other films received awards at the first Oscars?

In 1929, two Oscars for directing were presented: Lewis Milestone won for the comedy “Two Arabian Nights,” while Frank Borzage claimed the award for “7th Heaven.”

Notably, two important films from that era received honorary Oscars. Initially, Charlie Chaplin was set to be nominated for best actor, director, writing, and outstanding picture for “The Circus.” Instead, the Academy Board of Judges decided to withdraw his nominations and instead honored him with one special award for his “versatility and genius in writing, acting, directing and producing.”

“The impressive achievements displayed place you in a unique position,” read a letter from the Academy to Chaplin dated February 19, 1929.

Three months later, when presenter William C. de Mille accepted the award on behalf of Chaplin, he remarked, “Mr. Chaplin is not present due to cold feet but has sent his heartfelt gratitude for this recognition.”

The other special award went to Warner Bros. for producing “The Jazz Singer,” recognized as the first “talkie.”