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There is perhaps no greater accomplishment in cinema than scoring an Oscar, and while the film industry as a whole, and the Academy Awards in particular, still have work to do in terms of gender equality, Oscar history glitters with the achievements of female filmmakers and stars. But how many iconic moments can you recall? Take our quiz to see how much you know about the performances, direction and craft of some of Hollywood’s most memorable women.
1. Let’s start with an easy one: for which film did Michelle Yeoh become the first Asian performer to win Best Actress in 2023?
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2. Considered by many to be the greatest actor of all time (male or female), which woman holds the record for the most nominations in Oscar history?
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3. Halle Berry made history in 2002 when she won Best Actress for her performance in ‘Monster’s Ball’. What made her win so special?
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4. The great Katharine Hepburn holds the record for the most Best Actress Oscar wins – she has four. How many times did she attend the ceremony to accept them?
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5. From Katharine to Kathryn! The director Kathryn Bigelow’s film ‘The Hurt Locker’ became the Oscars’ ultimate underdog story when it won Best Picture in 2010, and Bigelow herself became the first woman to win Best Director. Which record-breaking blockbuster did the film shockingly beat to both awards?
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6. We now move on to infamous Oscar moments. Generally speaking, winners have around 45 seconds to thank everyone before being ‘encouraged’ to wrap it up. This was reportedly put in place after Greer Garson won Best Actress in 1942 for the film ‘Mrs. Miniver’, and gave the longest speech in Oscar history. Approximately how long was it?
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7. The role of Oscars host is a sacred one, usually tasking top comedians with keeping the event running smoothly. Who was the first woman to host solo in 1994 – and was so well-received that she hosted three more times?
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8. In 1984, Sally Field won Best Actress for her performance in ‘Places in the Heart’. Her speech included the line, “I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me”, but it’s been misquoted ever since in pop culture. What do people quote instead?
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9. Let’s talk about some Oscar legends who work behind the scenes. 91-year-old costume designer Ann Roth is a five-time Oscar nominee, winning twice for 1996’s ‘The English Patient’ and in 2020 for Chadwick Boseman’s final film, ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’. Which 2024 Best Picture nominee does she have a cameo in?
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10. The most decorated woman in Oscar history is Edith Head, a costume designer who dressed everyone from Audrey Hepburn to Elvis Presley. She died in 1981, but in 2004, her unique look served as inspiration for which Pixar character?
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11. In 2018, Rachel Morrison became the first woman to be nominated in which technical category?
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12. The themes for the James Bond franchise are a staple of Hollywood, but which Bond theme (and singer) was the first to win?
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13. Twenty-eight years after her first nomination, celebrated filmmaker Jane Campion finally won Best Director in 2020 for ‘The Power of the Dog’. What film was she first nominated for?
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14. For ‘Million Dollar Baby’, Best Actress winner Hilary Swank gained 8.5kg of muscle and trained intensively several hours a day, primarily in which sport?
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15. Margot Robbie has been nominated for an Oscar as the producer of ‘Barbie’, a position she held before starring as the lead. Incredibly, she initially didn’t think she was right for the role, with director Greta Gerwig having to convince her to play the part. Which actress did Robbie want instead?
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16. Brie Larson spent a month in isolation to prepare for which Oscar-winning film?
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17. In contrast, why did Viola Davis not need much preparation for her Oscar-winning role in 2016’s ‘Fences’?
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18. Let’s look at some Academy Award records. Which female performer is the youngest Oscar winner in history?
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19. Rita Moreno won Best Supporting Actress in 1963, while Ariana DeBose won the same award in 2022. What links their wins?
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20. Best Picture winner ‘CODA’ starred Marlee Matlin, who had won Best Actress for ‘Children of a Lesser God’ in 1987. What was history-making about her win?
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21. Only one person has ever been nominated for an Oscar for acting in a Marvel movie. Which woman has that honour, and for which film?
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22. We started with Michelle Yeoh, and we’ll end with her. Winning an Oscar in her 60s, after nearly 40 years in the business, she had some inspiring words for women everywhere. What were they?
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