Hollywood affirms message of inclusion at subdued but innovative Oscar ceremony

The Academy Awards showed off some newfound diversity among its nominees and some pandemic-era innovation during Sunday's telecast, in what amounted to the most unusual Oscars ceremony in the 93-year history of the event.

On a night when best director and best picture went to Chloé Zhao and her film "Nomadland," the event highlighted an unprecedented number of films produced by and starring people of color. The sponsoring Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also sought to reimagine the annual TV show - threatened by years of declining audiences - to avoid the Zoom-induced chilliness and technical glitches that have cratered the ratings of other live award programs for the past year. In deference to the coronavirus pandemic, the ceremony on ABC was moved back a few months from its usual dead-of-winter start. It emanated from two locations, primarily Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and the sparsely populated Dolby Theater in Hollywood. The in-person audience at the train station was restricted to 170 people.