As final preparations unfold for Hollywood’s biggest night, the person overseeing it all is taking a rare quiet moment. In a hotel suite steps from the Dolby Theatre, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO Bill Kramer reflects on the journey that brought him here—a path far from the typical Hollywood story.
Raised in Maryland by a family of avid filmgoers, Kramer describes the Oscars broadcast as a household event akin to a major holiday. A formative double feature at age eleven, watching both the Oscar-winning “Kramer vs. Kramer” and Bob Fosse’s “All That Jazz,” cemented a lifelong passion. “My parents encouraged my interest, even if I was probably a bit young for some of the subject matter,” he recalls with a laugh.
His career began in public policy and finance in New York before a fateful meeting in the 1990s with Robert Redford. Impressed by Kramer’s cinematic knowledge, Redford recruited him to help shape the financial future of the Sundance Institute. That shift set Kramer on a course through museum fundraising and ultimately to the helm of the Academy itself.
Now, he steers the institution through an era of profound change. A major shift is coming: in two years, the Oscars ceremony will transition from a traditional television broadcast to a global livestream on YouTube. Kramer defends the move as essential for growth. “Our goal is to reach the largest global audience possible,” he states. “YouTube allows us to connect with over 2.5 billion people simultaneously. The communal viewing experience isn’t disappearing; it’s evolving and expanding.”
Another pressing issue is artificial intelligence. While debates rage within the industry, the Academy has adopted a measured stance. Kramer notes there is no uniform opinion among the organization’s 11,000 members, with views differing sharply between branches like visual effects and writing. The Academy’s official rules now define AI as a tool, stating it neither helps nor harms a film’s eligibility. “The key is human authorship,” Kramer emphasizes. “An Oscar is awarded to a person. We expect the tool to be used ethically, but the credit and the award go to the artist.”
He is unequivocal, however, on the importance of the theatrical experience. Despite recent commentary suggesting cinema might become a niche art form, Kramer asserts the Academy’s commitment to the big screen. Eligibility requirements mandating specific theatrical release windows and breadth, he says, are non-negotiable pillars meant to uphold the industry. “We celebrate films that have theatrical runs. Supporting that ecosystem is a core part of our mission.”
As our conversation concludes, Kramer’s focus returns to the immediate task: Sunday’s show. He cites past highlights like a certain power-ballad performance and last year’s musical opening as moments that prove the awards’ enduring appeal. “We’re thrilled people still love this show,” he says before heading back to work, a final hint of excitement in his voice as he promises the set design will be “stunning.” The curtain is about to rise on another chapter, guided by a CEO whose vision is firmly fixed on both honoring tradition and navigating a new digital age.
