On May 11th, 1927, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) was founded in Los Angeles, California. The organization was established by 36 prominent figures in the film industry, including actors, directors, writers, technicians, and producers. The Academy's primary goal was to advance the arts and sciences of motion pictures and to recognize outstanding achievements in the industry.

One of the most significant contributions of the Academy is the annual Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars. The first Academy Awards ceremony was held on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The event was a private dinner with tickets costing $5 per person, and the ceremony lasted just 15 minutes. The winners were announced three months prior to the event, which is quite different from today's highly anticipated and televised ceremony.

The establishment of the Academy and the introduction of the Oscars marked a turning point in the recognition and celebration of cinema as an art form. Over the years, the Academy has expanded its mission to include various educational and cultural initiatives, such as the Academy Film Archive, the Margaret Herrick Library, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which opened in September 2021.

Today, the Academy boasts a membership of more than 7,000 professionals from various branches of the film industry. The Oscars have become a global phenomenon, with millions of viewers tuning in each year to watch the glamorous event and celebrate the best in cinema. The founding of the Academy on May 11, 1927, laid the groundwork for nearly a century of recognizing and promoting excellence in the world of film.