78th

The 78th Academy Awards, held on March 5, 2006, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, was televised by ABC, produced by Gil Cates, and hosted by Jon Stewart.

Crash secured the "Best Picture" award. Ang Lee, awarded "Best Director" for Brokeback Mountain made history as the first non-Caucasian recipient in the category. Keira Knightley, at 20, earned distinction as the third youngest "Best Actress" nominee for her role in "Pride & Prejudice," following Quvenzhané Wallis, who was nominated for Beasts of the Southern Wild in 2012 at the age of 9. The youngest actress to receive an Oscars for a supporting role was Tatum O'Neal in 1974 for Paper Moon.

"Best Supporting Actor" for Syriana, George Clooney carved a unique niche by becoming the fifth individual nominated for acting, directing, and screenwriting in the same year. Meanwhile, John Williams, through nominations for Memoirs of a Geisha and Munich, boasted 45, securing his place as the second most nominated individual in Oscar history only trailing the late Walt Disney, who holds the records for most wins (22) and most nominations (59).