On the evening of May 16, 1929, Hollywood gathered at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles for something entirely new — the first Academy Awards ceremony. Organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the event honored the best films from 1927 and 1928. Only 270 people attended, tickets cost $5 each, and the entire presentation wrapped up in just 15 minutes. There was no television broadcast, no red carpet spectacle, and no live radio coverage — that would come the following year with the 2nd ceremony.
AMPAS president Douglas Fairbanks hosted the evening. He stood before the room and handed out awards across 12 categories. Unlike today’s suspenseful envelope-opening moment, the winners that night were already public knowledge — the Academy had announced them three months earlier. Some nominations were even listed without naming a specific film, a practice that would be dropped in later years. The atmosphere was more like a formal industry banquet than the globally watched spectacle the Oscars would eventually become.
The venue itself played a key role in setting the tone. The Blossom Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel provided an intimate, elegant setting for the historic dinner. Round tables filled the space, and Hollywood’s most prominent figures in film sat side by side as the awards were distributed with quiet efficiency.
Frank Borzage took home the award for Best Director — Dramatic Picture for his work on “7th Heaven.” The film was a silent romantic drama, and Borzage’s careful direction of its emotional performances set it apart from the competition. His win marked one of the evening’s most celebrated moments.
Douglas Fairbanks personally presented awards throughout the night. One recipient was Joseph Farnham, who won for Best Title Writing — a category that no longer exists today. Title writing referred to the written text cards used in silent films to convey dialogue and narration. It was recognized as a craft in its own right during the silent era.
German actor Emil Jannings won Best Actor for his performances in “The Last Command” and “The Way of All Flesh.” Notably, he received his award before the ceremony even took place, because he was returning to Germany and could not be present on the night. He is the only person to have received an Oscar in advance of the formal ceremony.
Janet Gaynor won Best Actress that evening — and her win was remarkable in scope. She was honored for three separate performances: in “7th Heaven,” “Street Angel,” and “Sunrise.” This kind of multi-film recognition was unique to the first ceremony and never repeated again. Gaynor became the first woman ever to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Lewis Milestone won the award for Best Director — Comedy Picture for “Two Arabian Knights,” a 1927 military comedy. The first ceremony separated directing awards by genre, recognizing dramatic and comedy directors separately. That distinction was dropped after the first year, and a single Best Director award replaced both categories from the 2nd ceremony onward.
As host and AMPAS president, Douglas Fairbanks was front and center throughout the night, distributing honors and keeping the brief ceremony moving. The atmosphere in the room was calm and businesslike — a sharp contrast to the drawn-out productions that later ceremonies would become.
Academy Vice President Conrad Nagel also played a role in the presentations, stepping up to hand out awards alongside Fairbanks. Actress Norma Shearer was among those who received recognition during the evening, photographed accepting her award from Nagel in what became one of the night’s memorable moments.
Mary Pickford, one of the biggest stars of the silent film era, was also present that evening. William C. DeMille, who served as Academy president, handed her an Oscar while Warner Baxter and Hans Kraly looked on. Pickford’s presence alone underscored just how much star power the fledgling ceremony had already attracted.
The rare photographs from that night offer a direct window into early Hollywood — a world of formal dress, banquet tables, and quiet handshakes rather than roaring crowds and live television. Below are additional images from the event, including the original program and a portrait of the evening’s guests of honor.
