Oscars may move out of Hollywood

The world's biggest film awards ceremony, the Oscars could move out of Hollywood in search of a bigger venue.

For the last decade the Oscars have been held at the Kodak Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, but a contract with the venue allows organisers of the Academy of Motion Picture Artsand Sciences to explore other options starting with the 2014 show.

Nokia Theatre

A rumoured successor is the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles which is owned by AEG and has 7,100 seats, double the number at the Kodak. It already hosts The Emmy Awards and The American Music Awards.

The Kodak was built specifically with the Oscars in mind but critics have complained about aspects of it, including its grand staircase, which has 37 steps and has proved a challenge for actresses in evening gowns and heels.

Local campaigners are likely to fight to keep the Oscars in Hollywood.

"The Academy Awards belong in Hollywood," the Telegraph quoted a spokesman for Councillor Eric Garcetti, who represents the Hollywood district on Los Angeles City Council as saying.

The Oscars cost more than 20 million dollars to stage each year. The uncertainty over its next venue is the latest twist in a history that has seen the event staged at various venues in Hollywood, downtown Los Angeles and neighbouring Santa Monica.

Kodak Theatre in Hollywood

"The Academy has not begun venue negotiations for the Oscar telecast beyond 2013," the Academy said in a statement.

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