In this episode of the Oscars Outsider Podcast, we go back to 1929 to unpack why the Academy Awards were created in the first place.The Oscars weren’t born as a pure celebration of art. They emerged during a moment of labor unrest, censorship pressure, and a rapidly changing Hollywood industry. We break down the real institutional motives behind the founding of the Academy, the first ceremony at the Roosevelt Hotel, and the strange split between Wings and Sunrise at the very first awards.Plus:– The BAFTA controversy and what it says about institutional risk– The transition from silent films to talkies– Whether The Secret Agent could be a Best Picture dark horseIf you enjoy film history, awards strategy, and looking at the Oscars as a cultural institution — this one’s for you.🎙 Subscribe for weekly Oscar race analysis and deep dives.