BIG EVENT! ‘Spotlight’ takes top Academy Award, #OscarsSoWhite other big winner

Catholic Church maltreatment film “Spotlight” was named best picture, the very best award at Sunday’s Oscars ceremony, following a nighttime peppered with pointed punchlines from host Chris Rock about the #OscarsSoWhite controversy which has dominated the business.

In a service where no single picture controlled focus, Mexico’s Alejandro Inarritu nabbed the best directing Oscar for “The Revenant”, becoming the primary filmmaker in more than 60 years to win back to back Academy Awards.

“The Revenant” went into Sunday’s service having a top 12 nominations, and was among four pictures considered to possess the very best opportunities for the best picture after it won Golden Globe and BAFTA prizes.

The ambitious 20th Century Fox (FOXA.O) Pioneer-age story, shot in subzero temperatures, also brought a first Oscar triumph for the star Leonardo DiCaprio, who got a standing ovation from the A list Hollywood audience.

“I tend not to take tonight for granted,” DiCaprio said, taking the opportunity in his acceptance speech to encourage action on climate change.

The film won best original screenplay.

“This movie gave a voice to survivors, and also this Oscar amplifies that voice, which we expect can develop into a choir which will resonate all of the method to the Vatican,” said producer Michael Sugar.