Without a host for the first time in 30 years, there’s also curiosity over whether organizers can return the Academy Awards to a must-see television event after a record low audience in 2018.
After two months of intense and costly campaigning, award watchers say the winner is anyone’s guess.
The Academy Awards will be televised live on ABC television starting at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST (0100 GMT on Monday).
(Production: Mana Rabiee, Aron Ranen)